Wisconsin tax credits for Michael Mann's Public Enemies

The Chicago Tribune reports on some of the financial tax breaks on filming Public Enemies in Wisconsin:

Wis. tax credits help pay for Depp's entourage

By SCOTT BAUER |Associated Press Writer
2:58 PM CST, February 13, 2009

MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin taxpayers contributed $450,000 toward Hollywood director Michael Mann's salary when he came to the state last year to film the big-budget Johnny Depp

movie "Public Enemies."Records obtained by The Associated Press show the state's film tax credits not only covered a quarter of Mann's $1.8 million salary, they paid for a portion of his assistants' salaries, entertainment, meals and stuntmen's living expenses.

The state's tax credits even covered about $100,000 of the cost of Depp's entourage of chauffeurs, hair stylists and assistants, said Zach Brandon, executive assistant at the Wisconsin Commerce Department.

Filmmakers even tried to claim $8,600 toward the $35,800 wrap party, but the Commerce Department denied that because it wasn't an actual production expense, Brandon said Friday.

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