What could guarantee better media coverage than a reception with a major celebrity closed to reporters, who gathered outside the Red Red Wine Bar in Annapolis as actor Kevin Spacey was ushered in the back door?
Maryland legislators and friends couldn’t resist posting pictures of themselves with Spacey on Facebook. He stars as Frank Underwood, now vice president and lead of the dark political drama “House of Cards”on Netflix.
Want to hear what Spacey told the crowd in support of a expanded tax credits for film production in Maryland? Thanks to Melanie Miller of Comcast for posting the five-minute video on Facebook.
Here’s what WBAL radio’s Rob Lang posted about the event with audio from folks outside. Jenna Johnson and John Wagner of the Washington Post have full blown details, including quotes from Space’s five-minute pep talk drawn from Melanie Miller’s video.
And for those who think rich producers should not be paid off with tax credits for filming in Maryland — instead of being paid off by some other state — here is the take on the event from Red Maryland’s Mark Newgent, “Light, cameras, corporate welfare.”
Kevin Spacey, Maureen Quinn, House Majority Leader Kumar Barve
Sen. Nancy Jacobs with Spacey.
Melanie Miller with Spacey in background.
Alex Schull, left, Spacey, Andi Morony, chief of staff to Del. Mike Smigiel
Spacey with Lloyd, Cornelius and Melony Griffith,
Del. Sam Arora, Spacey, Jaime Arora
Spacey and Del. Jay Walker
Del. Ariana Kelly and Spacey
Spacey and Del. Kirill Reznik
Rubbing elbows the “celebrity” crowd. More sycophant ego boosting for star struck legislators. Sure we can fund “House of Cards” no problem. We’ll just raid another fund or pass another tax. We’ll get the money from somewhere. Wouldn’t want to disappoint promises made to Hollywood now would we? Disappoint MD taxpayers? What we think isn’t really all that important anyway!
Great pictures of our legislators hobnobbing with Hollywood. One wonders if the wider the smile, the larger the tax credit. Caveat emptor taxpayers. Which industry will woo us next with a wine bar reception?
So we lower their tax and MARYLAND HAVE TO PAY FOR RAIN ON THEIR ROOF? What income does Maryland benefit?? I know stage hands have a heavy duty union – are they bringing them with them, or hiring locals.