My name is Elliott Bales, I live in Arlington, VA and I am a retired US Army officer and a professional actor. I ask you to pass HB 771 to help us continue to grow the film and video production industry in Virginia. As a member of SAG-AFTRA and an elected member of the SAG-AFTRA Washington-MidAtlantic Local Board - the actors' and performers' union - I have first hand experienced the value of having a strong industry to tell Virginia's stories and to allow Virginians to participate in this important work. It is frustrating and painful to see so much of our work go to other states with incentives that dwarf what Virginia offers. Having to travel to other locales to work and spending money in their local businesses and paying taxes to their states bleeds money that should be spent in the Commonwealth. My conversations with producers who want to film in Virginia because of our depth of talent, the scenic value of our geography, and the history that resides here always ends the same way - they take their business elsewhere because it is more profitable. It is time to make Virginia more competitive in this industry that is currently growing revenue at 7.2% year over year. The Commonwealth needs more of that revenue spent here. I applaud the subcommittee's unanimous vote to move this significant piece of legislation forward and look forward to the full committee's passage of as well. We do not want to work in Atlanta or New York or LA. We want to work in the Commonwealth of Virginia, spend our money here, and see filmmakers spend their dollars at our businesses. And when we pay our reasonable taxes, we want them to stay in Virginia.

I am a resident of Virginia since 2010. I am a member of IATSE local 487. I am a disabled person. I have been a professional artist and visual arts teacher for 20 years. I support any funding to bring tv, movies, and commercials to the Common Wealth. My role in the movie industry is to work with k-12 students while they are on location. I fully implement all lessons provided by their school teacher to complete on location to be up to date with their studies. Working in the production industry and with union assistance has helped my self confidence and improve my social ability. I understand what it is like to work in an underpaid agency. Along with managers who are ill-prepared to work with disabled staff. My hope is that with this influx of financial funds. Many of us disabled workers can work in an industry we are trained to do, plus enjoy seeing the outcome displayed on the big screen.