Chase and Grant met by chance at a dinner honoring successful LA-based Texans who had studied film in Texas but moved to California to make their names in Hollywood.
Grant, a graduate of UT’s film school, was working in Hollywood at the time and happened to sit beside Chase, who was completing her master’s degree in film, also at UT. It didn’t take long for them to discover their shared vision for Texas: a state with a thriving film and media industry so large and robust that filmmakers (and students) wouldn’t have to leave to pursue careers in entertainment elsewhere.
The reality is that many Texans head to greener pastures in California, New York, Georgia, Louisiana, and New Mexico to find work. Crew members seek consistent production opportunities in neighboring states, and directors, writers, and producers often feel that moving to LA is a prerequisite for success. But why? Chase encountered this challenge firsthand when planning her first feature film. Despite wanting to shoot in her hometown, she found that shooting in Louisiana would be more financially viable and guaranteed. While the current program in Texas provides a great framework to make the state #1, Chase and Grant have set out to propose critical changes that will ensure all independent and studio projects who want to shoot in Texas (specifically those with Texan stories), can do so.
As sixth-generation Texans and with guidance and partnerships from local industry leaders, they are excited to fuel the momentum to make Texas the next media capital of the world.
OUR CORE TEAM
CHASE MUSSELWHITE
HOUSTON, TX
Her dream as a young girl: turn the Astrodome into a movie studio. She attended St. John’s School, which means she shares an alma mater with Wes Anderson. She studied film theory at the University of Virginia, ran a production company in Cape Town, South Africa, and attended Graduate Film School at The University of Texas.
GRANT WOOD
MIDLAND, TX
His dream as a young boy: film a TV series based on his grandfather’s wildcatter era in Midland. He studied film production at The University of Texas, ran a Texas-based startup in Dallas, and spent time learning from entertainment industry professionals at William Morris Endeavor.
UTILIZING THEIR HERITAGE AS SIXTH-GENERATION TEXANS TO HELP MAKE TEXAS THE THIRD MEDIA COAST
Unifies the Goals of media makers and businesses across Texas
We work to increase state incentives and in-state productions, ensuring more multimedia projects are born and stay in the state, supporting the talented creatives and crew who live and work here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the current media program in Texas?
The current program in Texas is called the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP).
It is a cash grant program, meaning that if your Texas production is approved and selected, you can receive a check ranging from 5% to 22.5% of your in-state production budget. The amount of funding available is determined every two years and is linked to the state’s legislative session. Legally, funding for the program cannot be allocated beyond this two-year period.
There are both pros and cons to this. The biggest pro is, of course, is CASH! However, a downside with a grant program is the inability to provide long-term stability. Since the funding is dependent on our legislative session, we only have a certain amount available for 24 months at a time. However, films can take years to produce and require extensive pre-planning. Additionally, studios often plan their film slates 3, 4, or even 5 years in advance. As a result, productions are often forced to shoot in other states with more funding.
What are you proposing to do differently?
Keep the current framework of our TMIIIP program, but with two changes:
First – Convert the funding mechanism of TMIIIP from a cash grant to a transferable tax credit, aligning it with similar programs across the nation. The Texas Film Commission (TFC) will continue to approve applications as before, but instead of issuing a check, the TFC will issue a tax credit. Productions can then sell the tax credit to a qualified buyer. The best part? Since this will not rely on cash from the State’s general revenue every two years, we can establish a reliable amount for years to come!
Second – Change our base rate from a tiered system (5%-22.5%) to a base of 30% for every qualifying production. This change will significantly benefit the lifeblood of our industry: independent filmmakers.
Is this not a Hollywood handout?
In Texas, we do things differently—we have the PRO-TEXAS REQUIREMENTS! Texas is the ONLY state in the nation with specific requirements to employ a significant number of Texans and shoot a substantial number of days in Texas to qualify for the incentive. This sets us apart. Our doors aren’t open to just anyone; these requirements ensure that this credit truly benefits TEXANS, not Hollywood. It supports the growth of a homegrown industry rooted in Texan values, rather than merely servicing Hollywood.
How does this really benefit Texas?
The benefits of a tax incentive program are remarkable. When Georgia analyzed its film tax incentives, the state found that “Every $1 in film tax incentives generates $6.30 in economic impact for the people of Georgia.” The potential increase in dollars spent in our state through production budgets would be extraordinary—not just for our big cities, but especially for our smaller communities.
A long-term incentive would provide Texas the ability to guarantee jobs for the long haul, promote in-state business ventures for years to come, encourage the viability of studio productions that rely on stable incentives, and continue to build up an industry that employs a wide range of professions. This translates into future opportunities for you and your business across Texas.
Lastly, TEXAS needs a larger presence in the media industry. As the second-largest economy in the nation, we deserve a voice! This program will help Texas have a significant say in one of the most important industries in the modern world.
I’m on board… what’s the plan and what can I do?
Our plan is to pass a bill in the 2025 legislative session that will implement our two key changes to the TMIIIP, making our program long-term. Once the bill is passed, the program is expected to begin sometime in 2026, after the rules are finalized.
What can you do?
- Spread the word!
- Write Texas-based scripts and be ready to start shooting!
- Donate. If you believe in our mission, please consider donating to help us get this bill across the finish line. Implementing lasting change in the entertainment industry is no small task—it requires significant resources. As a non-profit dedicated to benefiting our state, we’re working to ensure that Texas remains a place where the movies Texans love can be made. Every dollar you contribute goes directly towards funding our lobbyists, tax experts, studies, and essential administrative costs.