Association for the Future of Film and Television

Last evening, candidates Haslam and McWherter held their second televised debate in Knoxville. One of AFFT's members, Jeff Delaney, sent in a question to the local television station covering the event asking the candidates how they would deal with the use of incentives to attract film and television projects to the state. His question was chosen as part of the debate, and for the FIRST time both candidates had to speak their mind about our industry.

I have watched this short clip quite a few times since I received it and am left with a mixed review. Both candidates have made an attempt to understand our industry...got to give them credit for that...but their answers still reveal an overall lack of knowledge that causes us problems year after year. You be the judge about who you'd like at the helm of the state.

We can take heart in knowing that both candidates (and the press) have HEARD from AFFT as a group and AFFT as individual members. I can't recall a time when our industry has EVER been discussed in gubernatorial debates.

We must continue to get the message to our candidates and our legislators until they all have a solid grasp on the issues that face Tennessee's entertainment industry and how best to resolve them.

So now I ask you to watch two videos.

First, the one from last night's debate. Then a PowerPoint video on the AFFT website that was just recently completed and will be sent via CD or DVD to all legslators in January. Feel free to post both of these videos wherever you think someone might need to see them.

Debate Video:

http://marlowestudios.com/files/debate.mp4

The Future of Film & Television Video:

http://www.affttennessee.org/apps/videos/