Filmmaking in Puerto Rico
Summary
Puerto Rico Film Industry looking for more business, and Indie producers take note
Article
In a recent interview at AFM with Luis Riefkohl and Frances Lausell, I learned that Puerto Rico is not just a gorgeous island to visit but has many benefits to offer those in the film industry. The foremost in my mind is the fact of being able to shoot in a foreign country where everyone speaks English. Though the people are of Latin decent, English is spoken since Puerto Rico is an American commonwealth. The second large benefit is a rebate of 40 percent on all expenses paid to Puerto Rican entities or residents in the form of a tax credit. Riefkohl, Executive Director of Cinema Puerto Rico Film Corporation, assured me there is a ready market in Puerto Rico that will purchase the credit vouchers. According to Riefkohl and Frances Lausell, spokesperson for Cinema Puerto Rico and Producer of Manuela y Manuel, there are plenty of skilled and talented people on the Island for both technical and creative work that are familiar with American production, yet another bonus.
The country offers a proactive approach toward assisting local film producers as well. Scripts are submitted through an annual call to an international panel that decides which scripts will be offered financial assistance (financing 80 percent of their budget up to $1.2 million, whichever is lower). The loan is paid back from the profits that the movie brings in, thus virtually a “no risk” loan for the producer. Needless to say the submissions are many, but there is a way to fast track the request: having the film 60 percent financed already and needing only the additional 40 percent; having an international coproduction team; or co-writing the script with a known industry producer.
Now I am by no means an expert in the field of film production, nope, not even a little worm in the industry. However, I do know good people when I see and meet them. Riefkohl and Lausell are of that category. They are open and friendly, and if this is any indicator of the Puerto Rican people as a whole, then if a production company is looking to foreign lands to do some filming, it would be remiss in not contacting this little Island. In addition, Riefkohl is also a member of IBermedia, a group that meets twice a year to consolidate multiple Latin countries work in co-productions.
So for you hardcore indie producers and even you mainstreamers, whether for a new film location or to better reach the Hispanic and Latin market, you might look at the little Island to the south…and enjoy the beach, sun, waves…and the tax write offs!
When asked about filming in Puerto Rico, here are the “goods” from Riefkohl and Lausell:
Los Angeles Journal: So I read about some of the benefits of filming in Puerto Rico, but can you tell me some more specifics?
Luis Riefkohl: Everyone is bilingual. It is a dollar based economy, the Federal court system is connected to the U.S., which protects American production companies in case a problem must be solved in the court system, and there is no government room tax at the hotels. Also, once a request is received by a foreign production company, a site scout will go out at no charge to find shoot locations fitting the company's parameters. The training of our people is higher than in some of the other Latin countries.
Frances Lausell: We know how to reach the Latin markets. Foreign film makers increase the training of our local people, helping to develop the critical mass of increase in numbers of local experts.
LAJ: To what extent can your industry handle foreign productions?
Riefkohl: We have all the necessary equipment. Recently we had six 2-3 million dollar projects filming at the same time and had no major problems providing personnel or equipment.
LAJ: What about crime issues?
Riefkohl: There are no political crimes or kidnappings, just general crimes only, and these are no more than what you might experience in America.
LAJ: What special features or locations are available that makes Puerto Rico unique?
Riefkohl: Jungle forest, beaches, microclimates throughout the island, pine forests to rain forest, mountains and caves, a walled colonial 500 year old settlement, two castles, US military base, old cars from the 40’s and 50’s are but a few.
LAJ: Anything else to know?
Riefkohl: The tax incentive will also follow the production out of the country if 50 percent of the film is shot in Puerto Rico and the production takes the Puerto Rican staff and continues to pay the staff.
Lausell: We have a rich pool of actors. Puerto Rican people that live abroad will often come back for the cultural link and family commitment. Though living elsewhere, they are still connected to this Island. The Puerto Rican people are friendly, speak English well, and are ready to help; you just need a good script and to come on down and begin filming. We will assist in all your needs.
For technical specifics on the tax credit and legal parameters of the agreement, contact the Deput Film Commissioner, Cristina Caraballo, at 787-758-4747 ext. 2250 or info@puertoricofilm.com.
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