Pleased to announce our upcoming Mission 1 Billion: Official Creator Network meeting will be Wednesday March 11.

This meeting is free and open to the public. We encourage members and others to invite filmmaker and actor friends! This meeting is at Schmidty’s Bar & Grill 16755 W. Lisbon in Brookfield, WI 53005.  

JOIN US and please be on time! Arrive early and stay late networking with others.

Our Speaker Dr Susan Kerns, Ph.d Dr is the Executive Director of Milwaukee Film and formerly a Professor of film and television at Columbia College Chicago where she co-founded the Chicago Feminist Film Festival.

She often speaks about film festivals and distribution, including on panels at SXSW, University Film and Video Association, and the European Network for Cinema and Media Studies. She is currently producing an experimental 16mm horror feature entitled Communicable, the feminist true crime documentary Uncoiled, and the VR project Scapegoat.

She also produced the documentary Manlife and has produced, directed, written, or been the intimacy coordinator on numerous films. As an author, she edited and contributed to ReFocus: The Films of Susan Seidelman, the first book devoted to the groundbreaking director, and her writing on Tank Girl is featured in Eureka!’s Blu-ray box set and The Routledge Companion to Gender and Sexuality in Comic Book Studies.

Over a dozen publications have included her work on gender and film festivals, media representations of conjoined twins, the silent Lon Chaney film The Penalty, and Dame Darcy’s Meat Cake comics. She has an article forthcoming on intimacy coordination and creative collaboration and holds a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

AGAIN, join us for another wonderful speaker event!

Big shout out and thank you to Bob Donnelly of North American Camera for hosting our February meeting at North American Camera! Members got to see his studio, hear from him and look over the equipment he demoed and discussed. It was a wonderful success. Members who attended provided great feedback. We certainly appreciate Bob for inviting us into his studio and making time for us.

I also want to give a shout out to Schmidty’s owners Jeff and Vicki for generously allowing us to hold meetings there and for supporting Mission 1 Billion. Plus, let’s givea big thanks to all the staff who helps us at the meetings and who serve our members and guests! THANKS to all at Schmidty’s.

Wednesday night is Pizza Night!! Order a large pizza and receive a free pitcher of soda or beer. I really like the pizza! Remember, to treat and tip your wait staff well.

Enter through the door under the White Claw Sign. AND again, to respect our speaker’s and member’s time – please be on time. Feel free to show up at 6:30 pm

HOPE TO SEE YOU WED March 11, 7pm, at Schmidty’s Bar & Grill. Enjoy!!!

Check out the Film Incentive News Below!

UPCOMING MISSION 1 BILLION MEETINGS: Mark your calendar and attend. Currently Free and Open to public.

April 15… meeting agenda TBA

May 13 Meeting Speaker Kathy Byrne from Chicago SAG/Aftra returns with more!

Rex Sikes

WANT TO JOIN MISSION 1 BILLION Facebook Group – USE THIS QR code for an invite. We ask 2 questions to be considered for approval. If you don’t answer your application will be removed. We’d love to have you join us.

ALSO Congratulations to Veronica Pope who heads up Film Wisconsin and the Tax Incentive Program. We are planning on having her speak at Mission 1 Billion June 10th barring any unforeseen schedule changes.

Here is some information about the incentives from Film Wisconsin website. For more information AND for incentives applications visit Film WI at https://industry.travelwisconsin.com/about-us/film-wisconsin

What is an accredited production?

“Accredited production” means a film, video, broadcast advertisement or television production, as approved by Film Wisconsin, for which the aggregate salary and wages included in the cost of the production for the period ending 12 months after the month in which the principal filming or taping of the production begins exceeds $100,000 for a production that is 30 minutes or longer or $50,000 for a production that is less than 30 minutes. “Accredited production” includes scripted, unscripted, reality or competition production.

Are the tax credits retroactive?

Yes, the tax credits are available for eligible projects currently in production for tax filers whose tax year begins after December 31, 2025. This means that if your application is approved, it will be retroactive for work completed during this calendar year, and expenditures you already made in 2026 may be eligible for the credits.

What are production expenditures? 

“Production expenditures” means any expenditures that are incurred in Wisconsin and directly used to produce an accredited production, including expenditures for writing, budgeting, casting, location scouts, set construction and operation, wardrobes, makeup, clothing accessories, photography, sound recording, sound synchronization, sound mixing, lighting, editing, film processing, film transferring, special effects, visual effects, renting or leasing facilities or equipment, renting or leasing motor vehicles, food, lodging and any other similar pre-production, production and post-production expenditure as determined by Film Wisconsin. “Production expenditures” includes expenditures for music that is performed, composed or recorded by a musician who is a resident of Wisconsin or published or distributed by an entity that has its commercial domicile in this state; air travel that is purchased from a travel agency or company that has its commercial domicile in Wisconsin; and insurance that is purchased from an insurance agency or company that has its commercial domicile in Wisconsin. “Production expenditures” do not include salary or wages or expenditures for the marketing and distribution of an accredited production. 

What is the Definition of a Production Company?

“Film production company” means an entity that creates films, videos, broadcast advertisements or television productions, not including the productions described in sub. (5f) (a) 1. a. to g.

Are there limits on cast and crew wages? 

The total amount of the credits that may be claimed by a claimant under par. (b) 1. shall not exceed an amount equal to the first $250,000 of salary or wages paid to each of the claimant’s employees, as described in par. (b) 1., in the taxable year, not including the salary or wages paid to the claimant’s 2 highest-paid employees, as described in par. (b) 1., in the taxable year, if the claimant’s budgeted production expenditures are $1,000,000 or more.

How do I apply for a tax credit?

All applicants must apply through the Film Wisconsin Film Tax Credit Application located here. There are two applications on – one for TV and film productions and one for Wisconsin-based production company infrastructure.

How long does it take to receive approval/accreditation?

Applications for the Film Production Services Tax Credit are reviewed monthly. Applications for the Film Production Company Investment Tax Credit are reviewed on a rolling basis. 

What information or documentation must I include with the application?

For a list of required documentation, please see How to Apply.

What are the display requirements for the static or animated logo?

Approved projects are required to promote Wisconsin by visibly displaying a static or animated logo approved by Film Wisconsin in the end credits for the life of the project.  

The approved logo must be prominently displayed and can share the viewable display space with other images or text. 

Television commercials are exempt from logo requirements.  

Will Wisconsin purchase or facilitate the purchase of a Tax Credit Certificate?

No, it is the responsibility of the credit recipient to utilize or assign (transfer) the tax credit. 

Be sure to visit Film WI website for more!

Okay, enough for now. Stay tuned here and on Facebook and Linkedin for Mission 1 Billion and other filmmaker news and updates!