ARIZONA NEWS

Bill to resurrect Arizona’s film office on hold

Feb 24, 2014, 9:59 AM | Updated: 9:59 am

PHOENIX — An effort to bring back Arizona’s office of film back after its 2009 closure is currently on hold at the state capitol.

The film bill would reopen the state’s film office for just over $600,000 per year, but Valley filmmaker Randy Murray Murray said there seems to be an anti-Hollywood sentiment in Arizona.

“It’s spilling over to hard-working folks in Arizona who don’t deserve that,” he said. “It’s a clean industry, pays well and there’s no reason we shouldn’t have a film industry in Arizona.”

Murray said state Sen. Gail Griffin from southern Arizona has put a hold on the bill, at least temporarily. If the hold were lifted and the bill passed, the state would likely see an influx of millions of dollars.

“Having a strong film community here is better for the state than having Apple or Intel here,” said Murray. “These are great jobs that create more jobs. Intel is a great company but they’re affecting schools in the East Valley but film companies spread the wealth around a showoff our state. It’s bad business to say no to them.”

Murray said he’s holding out hope the film bill will eventually be passed.

Hundreds of Hollywood classics have been filmed in Arizona including countless westerns, “Raising Arizona,”
“Star Wars” and many others.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Live Love is a nonprofit dedicated to improving local communities. (Live Love photos/via Facebook)...

David Veenstra

Chandler approves long-term partnership for new community center development

The city of Chandler reached an agreement with nonprofit Live Love to be able to use a new community center currently being developed. 

9 hours ago

southern Arizona rancher George Alan Kelly...

Associated Press

Jurors don’t have a verdict yet in an Arizona rancher’s trial for fatally shooting a migrant

A jury in southern Arizona is still deliberating in the trial of a rancher charged with fatally shooting an unarmed migrant on his property near the U.S.-Mexico border.

11 hours ago

During an earnings call on April 18, 2024, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. said engineer...

Amy Edelen/Phoenix Business Journal

Wafer production underway at TSMC’s Phoenix factory; Q1 earnings beat expectations

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is making “significant progress” on its north Phoenix site with engineering wafer production already underway.

13 hours ago

Repeat killer sentenced to life in prison after murdering girlfriend...

KTAR.com

Tempe man sentenced to life in prison for murdering girlfriend

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office said it sentenced Gary Cox, 60, a repeat killer, to life in prison for murdering his girlfriend.

14 hours ago

Mugshot of Alvin Massenburg II, who was arrested April 17, 2024, in connection with a fatal shootin...

KTAR.com

Suspect arrested 2 days after deadly shooting at Phoenix smoke shop

An arrest has been made in a Phoenix smoke shop shooting that left one man dead earlier this week, authorities announced Friday.

15 hours ago

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes speaks to reporters in Phoenix after the state Supreme Court up...

Kevin Stone

Arizona’s near-total abortion ban can’t be enforced before June 8, AG Kris Mayes tells providers

Arizona's near-total abortion ban can't be enforced before June 8, the state's top legal officer told medical providers this week.

16 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Condor Airlines

Condor Airlines can get you smoothly from Phoenix to Frankfurt on new A330-900neo airplane

Adventure Awaits! And there's no better way to experience the vacation of your dreams than traveling with Condor Airlines.

...

DESERT INSTITUTE FOR SPINE CARE

Desert Institute for Spine Care is the place for weekend warriors to fix their back pain

Spring has sprung and nothing is better than March in Arizona. The temperatures are perfect and with the beautiful weather, Arizona has become a hotbed for hikers, runners, golfers, pickleball players and all types of weekend warriors.

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Avoid a potential emergency and get your home’s heating and furnace safety checked

With the weather getting colder throughout the Valley, the best time to make sure your heating is all up to date is now. 

Bill to resurrect Arizona’s film office on hold