July 2004 Archives
By Barbara Vancheri, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The zombies are lumbering across the border -- all the way to Toronto, for the next installment of George Romero's zombie series. Pittsburgh had been in the running for "Land of the Dead," the fourth zombie flick with a budget of $15 million to $20 million, but the decision was made yesterday to go to Canada.
"I can't tell you how disappointed I am, and George is incredibly disappointed," producer and Pittsburgh native Bernie Goldmann said. He is president of Atmosphere Entertainment, which will produce the movie.
"We all very much wanted to make the movie in Pittsburgh," he said, but it came down to money, and going to Canada will save millions, with the exchange rate and a government tax rebate of $1.5 million to $2 million. Goldmann said a new Pennsylvania bill, designed to lure filmmakers to the commonwealth, is "imperfect" and couldn't guarantee the same return.
Why we should make every effort to have George Romero's next film shot here
By Carl Kurlander
As I write this, I do not know how the battle between Winnipeg and Pittsburgh to be the location for George Romero's new film will resolve itself.
If the fourth of his zombie films, "Land of the Dead," does come here, it will have an overall economic impact estimated at bringing more than $15 million to southwestern Pennsylvania's economy, not to mention giving immeasurable publicity to the town that was the birthplace of "Night of the Living Dead" movies. If it does not, it may prove a painful education in how the entertainment industry works and what this region might do differently to attract the film business.
By Ron Weiskind, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh-based director George Romero has landed a deal to make the fourth movie in his successful series of zombie horror films. The movie could be shot here, a chance bolstered by the state Legislature's passage of a bill authorizing tax credits for filmmakers working in Pennsylvania.
If Gov. Ed Rendell signs the bill, which was sent to him Wednesday, it could help offset the financial advantages that caused Romero to make his most recent film, "Bruiser," in Canada, which offers large tax breaks and a favorable currency exchange rate.
If the new film, tentatively titled "Land of the Dead," is not made here, the other likely location is Winnipeg. Production could begin as soon as October. No casting decisions have been made.
