Hartford Business Journal

14 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | APRIL 7, 2025 Erik Bloomquist (left) listens as his brother Carlson makes a point about filmmaking while sitting in Cinestudio at Trinity College in Hartford. The Newington natives have produced nine films and a New England Emmy-winning TV series. HBJ PHOTO | STEVE LASCHEVER Roll Credits? Meet the Bloomquist brothers, two of CT's most prolific filmmakers; as film industry grows, tax credits remain in crosshairs discuss their production costs, but Erik recently led a fundraising campaign that provides a window into the business of making a movie. According to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing made public last September, Erik was seeking to sell equity in a company called Truth Ambassador LLC, with a minimum investment starting at $10,000, and a goal of raising $150,000. The fundraising goal was met, according to the filing. Speaking generally about raising equity for projects, Erik said each movie is "its own specific entity. So, the way we do it is each movie is its own kind of vehicle for investors." He said many production companies create "short-term LLC vehicles" that are specific to each project, and then close them after they're completed. While the majority of their productions have been filmed in Connecticut, Erik said any changes to the tax credit would be considered when they develop future projects. "Tax credits are a consideration," he said, "but there's no hard-and-fast answer, as there are many factors that contribute to decisions for where we end up shooting — including locations, time of year, proximity to crew, and various intangibles that complement the specific needs of any given production." 'Scares people' Others in the industry, though, say the tax credit is generally a prime consideration for production companies. Jonathan Black, partner and producer with Chair 10 Produc- tions in Newtown and co-founder of the Connecticut Film & TV Alliance (CTFTVA), says major studios and independent film produc- tion companies factor any state's tax credit into their budgets. "If you have a $10 million budget, the financier only gives you $7 million," with the rest expected to be covered by the return from the tax credit, Black said. Black, who has fought against altering or eliminating the tax credit for three straight years, said even talk of changing the incentive "scares people." "We've lost projects already," he said. "People don't trust the state." Edward Cohen, also a co-founder of CTFTVA, said that once a produc- tion is approved, the first decision is where to film it. "The first decision that overrides that is, 'Where am I going to get the best tax incentive right now?'" Cohen said. "The tax incentive, as it exists now, we have been able to sell." Black said a cut to 25% would place Connecticut's tax credit well below those offered by other states. New Jersey, for example, offers a 30% to 35% film tax credit, plus a bonus diversity credit of 2% to 4%. "If I'm a producer doing a $40 million or $50 million movie and I By David Krechevsky davidk@hartfordbusiness.com N ewington natives Erik and Carson Bloomquist have co-produced nine films and an Emmy-winning TV show, and nearly all of them were filmed in Connecticut. Erik, 32, is a producer, writer, director and actor, while Carson, 29, is a producer, writer and editor. Together, they founded Mainframe Pictures, an independent production company based in Hartford. Their most recent film, "Founders Day" — which Carson described as having a "'Parks and Rec' meets 'Scream'" theme — was released in January 2024. It was primarily filmed in New Milford. "It's a beautiful place to shoot," Erik said. "We had community support. So, it's just a really nice little bubble to be in. … We like working within and being part of a community of folks." Connecticut is a location scout's dream, he said, offering settings ranging from forests to beaches, from urban to farmland. "One of the cool things about Connecticut is that it has every- thing here," Erik said. "Everything except desert." Like all companies that produce films, TV shows and digital content in Connecticut, Mainframe Pictures has made ample use of the state's film tax credits. That credit recently has been the target of those who think the money it provides to the film, TV and digital media industry — estimated at more than $1.5 billion since it was first available in 2007 — could best be spent elsewhere. For the third year in a row, there is an effort in the General Assembly to reduce the tax credit; some want it fully eliminated. Among those proposing a cut is Gov. Ned Lamont. His budget bill — currently under consideration by the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee — proposes reducing the 30% tax credit to 25%. That would save the state $26.3 million over two fiscal years, according to the Democratic gover- nor's budget proposal. Those in the film and TV industry, though, say a reduction would have the same effect as eliminating the credit — that is, it will cause produc- tions to leave the state. 'A consideration' All types of film, TV and digital productions are eligible for the state's film tax credit, as long as the produc- tion company spends a minimum of $100,000 in Connecticut. The Bloomquists declined to Jonathan Black Source: Gov. Lamont's '26-'27 budget proposal TAX CREDITS ISSUED FILM AND PRODUCTION TAX CREDITS ISSUED BY YEAR 2017 $200M $150M $100M $50M 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

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