Actors are reacting today after Florida lawmakers decided not to fund programs to lure filmmakers to the state.
Actor Burt Reynolds walked the red carpet at The Student Showcase of Films awards show at Lynn University in Boca Raton this morning.
He says he's shot 12 movies in Georgia which were supposed to be filmed in Florida. He says by not funding incentive programs, Florida is missing out on an opportunity to bring jobs to Florida and boost the economy.
"Plus, it's a postcard for us forever. It's sad, it's just sad," the Golden Globe winner says.
Reynolds cautioned the students at today's showcase. Saying if they pursue a career in the film industry, they may have to move out of state.
"If they have a way of doing it here, I hope they have a good time trying, but nobody wants to do it," Reynolds explains.
Actor Thomas Ian Nicholas was also at the awards show. He filmed Walt Before MIckey in Deland, Florida, but says the producers he works with constantly talk about where they can get the best tax breaks.
"It brings a lot of work to the state. If [legislators] have any questions about it, they should call some of the folks in Georgia, ask them what they think," Nicholas says.
Georgia has been giving filmmakers big tax breaks since 2008.
Some Florida lawmakers say granting those types of incentives are "corporate welfare," and do not bring back the returns advertised.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson recently filmed part of his upcoming movie Baywatch in South Florida. But several scenes will be filmed in Savannah, Georgia where the crew could save money.
G-Star School of the Arts student Jonathan Lockhart, Jr. won the Burt Reynolds Scholarship at the event.
