Three Key Takeaways:
- Matthew McConaughey, alongside Woody Harrelson, advocated for Senate Bill 22, which proposes $500 million in funding every two years to boost Texas’ film and TV production industry, aiming to make the state a self-sustaining film powerhouse.
- While the bill gained unanimous approval, some Republican lawmakers expressed concerns about the types of productions receiving state funding, particularly regarding content that may not align with Texas values, such as foul language.
- McConaughey emphasized the bill’s potential to create thousands of local jobs and stimulate the economy by bringing more productions to Texas, with a focus on fostering partnerships with community colleges to build a skilled workforce for the industry.
Matthew McConaughey is taking on a whole new role.
And this time the Oscar-winning actor isn’t playing a part on screen.
And Matthew McConaughey just took one proposal to Texas politicians and their reaction will shock you.
McConaughey urges Texas to become film powerhouse
Texas native Matthew McConaughey appeared before the Texas Senate Finance Committee alongside his longtime friend and fellow actor Woody Harrelson to advocate for a bill that would provide consistent funding to attract film and television productions to the Lone Star State.
The bipartisan committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 22, which would allocate $500 million every two years to the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund through 2035.
“If we pass this bill, we are immediately at the bargaining table for shooting more films and TV and commercials in our state,” McConaughey told the committee members.
The bill was introduced by Republican Senator Joan Huffman of Houston, who argued that the current level of reimbursement for productions filming in Texas “is not as robust as other states.”
“This fact, coupled with inconsistent levels for the program, has put Texas at a disadvantage,” Huffman stated.
The legislation would increase the top-tier base reimbursement rate from 20% to 25% and lower the amount of in-state spending required to qualify for that rate from $3.5 million to $1.5 million.
McConaughey even took a friendly jab at his thin-haired friend Harrelson while making his case about the economic benefits for local businesses.
“That is money that’s going to local Texas restaurants, hotels, coffee shops, dry cleaners, street rentals, home rentals – even Woody’s barber,” he said with a smile.
Republicans raise concerns about content
Despite the unanimous vote, some Republican committee members expressed reservations about what types of productions would receive state funding.
Senator Donna Campbell of New Braunfels raised concerns about the bill not explicitly limiting foul language in productions receiving tax incentives.
“There’s no value in using God’s name in vain in movies or anywhere else,” Campbell said. “We’re still in the Bible Belt. Maybe that’s just my two cents, but that should be considered.”
Senator Paul Bettencourt of Houston specifically criticized the Paramount series “Landman” for its portrayal of the oil industry and its language.
“No offense, but having Billy Bob Thornton F-bomb every other sentence is not, in my mind, Texas values, so we do need to get a handle on this,” Bettencourt said. “It simply is a bad product and not something that Texas taxpayers would want to be supporting.”
The bill does include incentives for productions that reflect family values and positively portray Texans, as determined by the governor’s office.
Film industry creates thousands of Texas jobs
According to Huffman, the state’s incentive fund, which was created in 2007, has generated 189,000 Texas jobs and produced $2.5 billion in in-state spending.
Adriana Cruz, executive director of the state’s economic development and tourism office, provided an example of the economic impact by highlighting the Paramount series 1883, which filmed across multiple Texas locations.
“The production resulted in nearly 2,000 production jobs and local spending of $65 million,” Cruz noted. Under the proposed bill, the production would have been eligible for $15.5 million in grant funding.
Chad Gunderson, producer of the Netflix series The Chosen, a drama about the life of Jesus Christ filmed largely in Midlothian, Texas, spoke in favor of the measure’s rewards for smaller projects.
“A lot of family-friendly, faith-based projects fall into that tier,” he told the committee.
McConaughey envisions Texas as self-sustaining film hub
The Academy Award-winning actor argued that the bill would provide the foundation for Texas to eventually become a self-sustaining industry powerhouse.
“If we do this, we begin to create our own industry, our own pipeline of film and television – which in turn means producers and financers are not going to want to go to other states,” McConaughey said.
He suggested that production companies could partner with local community colleges to train people to become set designers, special effects technicians, hair and makeup specialists, and other staff needed to make films.
“There will be a point where we are not going to need financial incentives from the state because the infrastructure will be in place, and that will be a major game changer,” McConaughey added.
Stephanie Whallon, President of the Texas Film Commission, noted that even breakfast taco vendors benefit from film productions.
“When you get Film Friendly certified, you know how to match local businesses to production needs,” Whallon said. “That can include the breakfast taco vendor. To feed a full-size crew you need at least 500 breakfast tacos.”
Brian Gannon, senior director of the Austin Film Commission, told USA TODAY that incentives have become the top priority for productions considering where to film.
“The large-scale productions that make a local economic impact are generally projects at a budget level that will not land in states or territories without competitive production incentives,” Gannon said.
The bill now heads to the full Texas Senate for consideration.
