MPC Updates & Annual Review

2020 was a year like no other. Through it, we have learned how to work differently, made pivots in our careers and business, and above all exercise a lot of patience. We learned to rethink how to produce films and create media during a pandemic, adjust to working with new protocols and safety measures, and devised ways to collaborate safely.

Most importantly, we found ways to come together, support each other, and continue to learn along the way. We are inspired by the compassion of our community, it's perseverance, and ingenuity in the face of difficult times.

The coming year will present more big questions facing the future of our industry, from the growing influence of streaming platforms, to the future of theatrical releases and theater experiences, changing film festival and finance ecosystems, and a hopeful return of major advertising spending. While there’s no shortage of worthwhile prognosticating about which changes will last, one certainty is that the incredible demand for new content will continue to grow. As public health conditions and production costs stabilize over time – there will be more films, TV series, and digital content in production, with more ways to engage and reach audiences than ever.

There will be challenges ahead, but we are inspired by what the future holds and the things we can do now to prepare and shape it. Together, we are committed to building an economy and culture where Massachusetts will continue to grow as a destination for the creation and production of film and media content of all kinds.

If you haven't already, we hope you will join MPC this year as an Annual Member to be part of this movement with us.

Advocacy & Public Policy

We are working hard to remove the "sunset" of the state's film and television incentive program, which is currently set to expire in the end of 2022. With a new legislative session underway in 2021, very soon we will be supporting new House and Senate bills to eliminate the sunset provision. As you may recall from the bills filed last session, this means we will once again execute a highly-engaged and robust campaign to encourage legislators to co-sponsor the new bills. As the legislature files new bills in January, we will be asking you to participate in making sure we achieve as many co-sponsors as possible.

Over the past year we have continued to build support for removing the film incentive's sunset, through numerous briefings and organized meetings with lawmakers, debate of the state's Economic Development Bill, and with the release of our economic impact study from the series production of Hulu's Castle Rock.

Now we must push vigorously to ensure action is taken by the legislature this session. Our industry and state's economic recovery will be at stake. We can not emphasize the importance of everyone's participation in these efforts enough! Please watch for calls to action in the coming weeks as new bills are filed.

With this work also comes significant costs. Your support will be needed to ensure we have the resources to continue our campaign. We hope you will consider making a contribution to Keep MA Film Jobs Alive!

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MPC Community & Programs

The past year was as full as ever for MPC's community programs. Since the pandemic hit in March we quickly pivoted to focus first on our community’s most pressing needs; with information and support on Covid relief programs; including CARES Act measures, SBA and state economic relief programs, and unemployment changes. We hope you have a found these resources helpful and of value.

Throughout 2020 we hosted over 12 different online programs, forums, and events to work through the challenges of the moment – bringing in specialists for insurance, legal guidance, unions, and set safety practices; and at times just hosted meetings for community sharing to work through issues together. In addition to continuing to hold seasonal MPC Member Meetings, we also produced two inspiring directors talks with DeMane Davis and Trish Sie. We also offered a virtual edition of the Mass Media Expo conference in November with special keynotes from industry leaders such as Ted Hope and Dawn Porter. Videos from these talks are available online.

We continued to make progress in our education initiatives, with MPC's Higher Education Consortium continuing to meet and support each other. And we see new opportunities with active work taking place among our Youth Media Members' programs and in our community’s businesses to create new diversity and inclusion initiatives. We are very optimistic about the progress to be made this year to have a greater impact going forward, and grow in new ways.

We also want to hear from you! Write us to let us know what you need, and what kinds of programs and professional development opportunities you would like to see from MPC this year.

Thanks to you the most for your participation in all of these efforts. You make this community special and we're excited to grow our work together and continue building a healthy and bright future with you.