PHILADELPHIA (July 20, 2004) In a ceremony at the Prince Music Theater in Philadelphia today, Governor Ed Rendell signed into law House Bill 147, The Film Production Tax Credit, that offers incentives for movie and television programs filmed in Pennsylvania using Pennsylvania actors and crew.

"Filmmakers continue to discover that Pennsylvania is an ideal location for film production," Governor Rendell said. "With widely diverse locales and innovative benefits, Pennsylvania is dedicated to helping filmmakers make their projects a reality."

In 2003, filmmakers and their projects injected more than $107 million into Pennsylvania’s economy. Small and large businesses, hotels and restaurants all benefit from the jobs, workers and tourists that filmmaking can attract.

Pennsylvania labor unions, film offices and producers have spent nearly two years shepherding this bill through the General Assembly. Originally introduced in February, 2003, it finally passed the House on July 4, 2004 (200-1), and the Senate on July 4, 2004 (49-1).

AFTRA Pittsburgh as well as a number of other industry organizations have been lobbying for the passage of this landmark legislation.

There may be an immediate effect on film production in the market. Scifi.com says "George Romero is set to direct Land of the Dead, a horror film that picks up the zombie saga that began in Romero's original Night of the Living Dead and continued with Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead, Variety reported. Based on Romero's own script, the movie will begin production in October in Winnipeg, Manitoba, or Pittsburgh, the site of shooting for Romero's original 1968 zombie trilogy."

According to a copyrighted Associated Press story on KDKA.com over the weekend, Romero filmed his last movie, "Bruiser," in Canada, because that country offers tax breaks and has a favorable currency exchange rate. Producer Bernie Goldmann said if Rendell didn't sign the bill into law, Romero would likely shoot his latest zombie flick in Canada, too.

ED. NOTE: A scant seven days after posting this article, Goldman decided to take the Romero flick to Toronto, which will substitute for Pittsburgh, citing money issues. A small amount of second-unit work may still be done locally.