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10/29/2025 0 Comments THE INCENTIVE TRAP: SAN ANTONIO CANNOT BUY ITS WAY TO CINEMATIC GREATNESS With IncentivesAn Editorial by Texas Media Maker Magazine The enthusiasm radiating from the San Antonio Report article, where city officials - led by Arts and Culture Director Krystal Jones and echoed by Councilman Marc Whyte - declare that San Antonio could "become the film capital of Texas," is undeniably contagious. We observe the proposed increase of the film rebate from 7.5% to 10% and the renewed commitment of state incentives, a staggering $150 million annually for a decade. This financial mobilization is, on paper, impressive. It suggests a city ready to invest aggressively in its future. Yet, from our vantage point, looking through the unflinching lens of industry reality, this aggressive purchasing strategy reveals a profound, critical misdiagnosis. It is not possible to buy your way (through incentives) into the media-making market if the necessary human and physical infrastructure does not already exist to serve the incoming business. Money, in this realm, is merely a lure. If the fish that bite the lure find the water polluted and the ecosystem hostile, they will simply turn around, and the investment becomes a loss. The Illusion of Incentives vs. The Reality of Service The current city strategy, while well-intended, relies on a fundamental misconception: that stacking rebate percentages will automatically transform San Antonio into a production hub. We must speak plainly: productions will not commit to a city that cannot serve them. They will feel duped, or worse, they will suffer costly delays that erode the financial benefits of the rebate. The experience of having the Paramount show "1923" film here is a welcome anecdote—and we commend the city for reimbursing the closed businesses—but isolated success stories do not equal infrastructure. Where are the large, functional studio facilities and sound stages that Ms. Jones herself acknowledges are missing? Incentives attract the initial interest; sustainable infrastructure retains the long-running television series and multi-million dollar features that Councilman Whyte envisions. Without the capacity for production, the 10% rebate is nothing more than a glossy flyer for a city that is fundamentally unprepared to deliver. The Failure of the Human Infrastructure The most damning critique is not about the lack of sound stages, but the fundamental failure of the human infrastructure. The City has, through years of neglect and perceived active dismissal, turned its back on its own creative community. As we stated in our August 2025 editorial, the San Antonio film scene is currently characterized by a "lack of professional demeanor" and an "unsettling undercurrent of bickering and backstabbing" that is utterly unbefitting a professional artistic community. The City’s role, through the San Antonio Film Commission (SAFC), should be to act as the ultimate concierge—facilitating, supporting, and building community. Instead, we hear deeply disheartening accounts of industry citizens being met with a dismissive attitude, effectively told their expertise is neither wanted nor needed. We implore the City to address the following infrastructure gaps that are critical for winning and retaining business:
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9/9/2025 0 Comments San Antonio's Film Industry: A Close-Up That Reveals It's Not Ready For Prime Time!
Texas Media Maker Editorial - August 2025 Edition)
San Antonio's Film Industry: A Close-Up That Reveals It's Not Ready For Prime Time! There is a certain civic pride, a justifiable swell of chest, when one's hometown is lauded on a national stage. We have seen the headlines, heard the pronouncements from city officials, and read the glowing reports. San Antonio, they say, is "poised for a major leap forward," a burgeoning film hub, a city "film-friendly" enough to warrant inclusion on prestigious lists, perhaps even MovieMaker Magazine's coveted "Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker" for 2026, as it was for 2025. And indeed, the numbers, on paper, paint a compelling picture: a historic $1.5 billion investment in Texas film incentives through 2035, bolstered by San Antonio's own robust 7.5% rebate, creating a combined incentive package of up to 38.5% for qualifying productions. This, we are told, is our moment. But from where I sit, peering through the lens of experience and listening to the whispers that echo through the very corridors of this nascent industry, I am compelled to ask: Is this truly a leap forward, or merely a very expensive hop on a treadmill? Is San Antonio's film industry truly ready for its close-up, or is it, in its current state, more deserving of a harsh, unflattering spotlight that reveals a truth far less glamorous than the glossy brochures suggest? I fear, with a heavy heart and a growing sense of frustration, that what we are witnessing is not organic growth, but a reputation being bought, rather than genuinely earned. And that, my friends, is a tragedy for an art form that demands authenticity above all else. Let us speak plainly, for the camera, like the truth, has no filter. The influx of state and local incentives, while undeniably a boon for attracting larger productions, seems to have inflated a fragile ecosystem rather than nurtured a mature one. We hear the official pronouncements of "talented crew growing in numbers" and "film-friendly permitting services." But what of the human element, the very fabric of the community that is meant to sustain this growth? For all the talk of economic impact and cinematic potential, the reality on the ground, for many who toil in the trenches of San Antonio's film scene, remains disturbingly immature, riddled with a lack of professional demeanor that would make a seasoned grip wince. One hears stories, not isolated incidents, but a troubling pattern, of an industry still grappling with the very basics of collegiality and respect. There is, to put it mildly, an unsettling undercurrent of bickering and backstabbing, petty squabbles that seem to consume more energy than actual creative collaboration. Film industry mixers, ostensibly designed for networking and camaraderie, have, on more than one occasion, reportedly devolved into spectacles of unprofessionalism, with whispers of heated arguments escalating into outright fist fights. This is not the stuff of Hollywood dreams; it is the stuff of a high school cafeteria, utterly unbefitting a professional artistic community. And what of the leadership meant to guide this burgeoning industry? The San Antonio Film Commission, a division tasked with championing our local talent and attracting external projects, appears, from the perspective of many within the industry, to be largely ineffective in fostering a truly collaborative and inclusive environment. One hears deeply disheartening accounts of industry citizens, eager to offer their expertise and consultation, being met with a dismissive attitude, effectively told their help is neither wanted nor needed. How, one must ask, can an organization tasked with building a community actively alienate its most passionate and experienced members? This perceived lack of engagement, this apparent disinterest in genuine consultation, cripples the very growth it purports to champion. Furthermore, a troubling tribalism persists, a palpable divide between local film production companies and producers, each guarding their perceived territory with a ferocity that stifles innovation and cooperation. Instead of a unified front, we see fragmented fiefdoms, more interested in internal one-upmanship than collective advancement. And then there are the disturbing allegations, whispered in hushed tones, of unprofessional sexual advances by certain actors towards actresses – a deeply troubling undercurrent of disrespect that poisons the well of creativity and makes the industry a less safe, less equitable place for all. This is not a minor oversight; it is a fundamental breach of professional conduct that demands immediate and unequivocal condemnation and action. And finally, let us address the elephant in the room, or perhaps, the loudest, most self-aggrandizing donkey in the stable. There is a particular production company, whose work, frankly, exhibits a total lack of genuine talent, yet whose proprietors seem to possess an inverse proportion of humility. They hold up their own "crap" as the pinnacle of San Antonio's cinematic achievement, while childishly unfriending community member after community member who dares to offer support to others in the community. This kind of petty, insecure behavior, this self-proclaimed royalty in a kingdom of mediocrity, is not only unprofessional; it is an embarrassing impediment to any real artistic progress. We know who the real Lions are in this industry, don't we? They are the ones who work tirelessly, humbly, and with genuine respect for their craft and their peers, not those who merely roar the loudest. So, to the esteemed editors of MovieMaker Magazine, I address you directly: Deny San Antonio's inclusion in your "Best Film Cities in the United States" list for 2026. Not because we do not dearly want San Antonio to be one of the best cities for filmmaking – we do, with every fiber of our cinematic being. But because we need to earn it, not just have it bought by the City of San Antonio's misdirected attempts to champion this currently second rate filmmaking city The infrastructure of incentives is in place, yes, but the human infrastructure, the professional maturity, the collaborative spirit, and the fundamental respect required for a truly thriving film community are, at present, sorely lacking. Until the bickering ceases, until professionalism becomes the norm, until the Film Commission genuinely engages with its constituents, until every individual feels safe and respected, and until the loudest voices are matched by genuine talent and humility, San Antonio's film industry is simply not ready for its close-up. It is time for a long, hard look in the mirror, and a commitment to building a foundation of integrity. Only then can our city truly shine on the global cinematic stage. If you are a media maker in San Antonio and you have a different take with your experience here in San Antonio, we want to hear from you. Film Festivals, you too. Share your experiences, email us here: [email protected] |
