The Blog of the Virginia Production Alliance

Victory should be savored and enjoyed.

Every member of the Virginia Production Alliance deserves a big thank you for your hard efforts for our recent victory in passing SB 1421. This was a team effort. Each of you should be very proud of what you accomplished – what you accomplished during very difficult times.

Thousands of Virginians who were worried about their careers received great news Wednesday that the Virginia legislature found a way to provide incentive money for making movies in Virginia. With the passage of Senator Louise Lucas’ SB 1421 by the Virginia House of Delegates and hopeful signing of the bill by Governor Kaine, incentive money will now be available to attract top dollar productions like 1776, Lincoln and Big Stone Gap. What a great victory. I know we at Advantus were thrilled for this success and how we and our members pulled off an underdog effort during what can easily be described as the worst economy in all of our lifetimes. What a great feeling. And wow, what an effort by so many legislators that voted for a bill that they were philosophically opposed to.

Two days later I find myself swallowing a bitter pill. I am reminded of watching my children play soccer. After a game’s conclusion, win or lose, the opposing teams meet mid-field. Walking across the grass the opposers meet and slap hands of congratulations for a hard fought battle. I believe this practice came about to reinforce the feeling of “no sore losers” and the humbling of a proud victory. You see for every winner, there seems to be a loser.

In the case of Virginia’s film industry there are NO losers. Yet, we have some people targeting members of the Virginia General Assembly with almost a visceral tone about their vote against SB 1421. Friends, we won a major victory in the House of Delegates with an overwhelming vote in favor of SB 1421 by 69 to 27. This is huge.

You have heard me say many times that “democracy is difficult” and that “the democratic process is participatory.” Please, do not think that a delegate or senator’s vote against SB 1421 was a vote against you or making movies in Virginia. It was not. These people voted their convictions and in many cases, commitments to their constituents. Many who voted for this bill will have it taken out of context and used against them in the upcoming fall election while you are working on the next movie that is receiving incentives from the Governor’s Motion Picture Opportunity Fund. You see, yea or nay, this was not an easy vote for them to make because each member knew that your job lay in the balance.

Democracy requires differing views to identify good solutions for administering government. Those who seek and attain elective office do so with a commitment of service and duty. It is also to exercise their conviction based on the input of all, not a few. They do not deserve the abuse. No, quite the contrary, they deserve our respect for voting their convictions.

So I ask you, what would you want to see your child do at mid-field after the game – slap the hand in congratulations or push the other child to the ground? Today, please thank every delegate and senator of the Virginia General Assembly for their service to Virginia and their consideration for your needs.

Bud Oakey