Money for movies in Texas is ‘not a Hollywood welfare program,’ says star in video

Dennis Quaid, Matthew McConaughey, Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson are among the high-profile Texas actors that want you to know supporting filmmaking in the Lone Star state will keep money in Texas — and out of California.

The Texas-born actors filmed a PSA for the Good for Texas campaign in support of the Texas film incentive programs.

“Texas used to have a great incentive program that brought hundreds of great movies and shows,” Houston-born Quaid said.

“And hundreds of millions of dollars to the Lone Star State,” Midland-born Harrelson said.

“Unfortunately over the years the funding became less and less,” Dallas native Wilson said.

“Because some people were led to believe that that money was only going into the pockets of big wig California movie producers and high-priced Hollywood actors,” Top Gun: Maverick actor Glen Powell, from Austin, said.

Several bills incentivizing film production were filed this legislative session to attract movies, television and other projects to Texas.

In the Good for Texas ad, Harrelson said promoting filmmaking in Texas would create jobs in the state and benefit the economy from production staff to area restaurants and hotels.

One bill, HB 3600, proposed establishing the Texas Multimedia Production Program which would provide tax credits for production companies. However, HB 3600 was postponed until next year.

Another bill, HB 4419, is about the promotion of film and television production in the state. This bill would:

• Fund eligible film or television productions under the major events reimbursement program

• Create a film events trust fund and a film production tax rebate trust fund

• Establish virtual film production institutes

• Designate media production development zones

Multimedia production has grown in North Texas in recent years.

The city of Mansfield approved an over 405,000-square-foot mixed-use studio complex in February which will include hotels and retail space. The complex is expected to bring in over 2,000 jobs to the city.

“Yellowstone” show creator Taylor Sheridan brought the production of the prequel series “1883” to the Fort Worth Stockyards and Granbury in 2021. Sheridan’s “1883” spin-off series “Bass Reeves” cast local talent ahead of filming in the Fort Worth area earlier this year.

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said Texas’ incentive program is “woefully underfunded,” the Star-Telegram previously reported.

“The reality is, there are plenty of awesome opportunities and projects, and even longstanding film studio opportunities for the state of Texas that we just aren’t funding right now because we don’t have a robust enough fund,” Parker said.

“This is not a Hollywood welfare program to pay for private jets and privileged lifestyles back in California,” Harrelson said in the Good for Texas campaign.

“No, this legislation is about Texas jobs,” McConaughey said.

“And showcasing our great state on the big screen,” Quaid said.