The Tennessean has a rather interesting story this morning about the state's efforts to get filmmakers to base their productions here.
We'd like to venture an opinion. We have a rather signifcant film community here, based on music videos and a handful of films made here over the years.
But how deeply should states get into subsidizing Hollywood productions? That's where our state is taking a back seat to others. Some states are offering to cover up to 40% of a production's costs to get the studio to film on their turf.
You can argue that an economic boost comes with landing a film production in your neighborhood. But at some times, there is a law of diminishing returns.
We wonder why some folks will argue energetically against things like health care reform, energy assistance and food stamp programs for individuals, but are remarkably silent when it comes to corporate welfare.
 It makes some measure of sense when it is an enterprise that will create permanent jobs, like a manufacturing plant. But a movie that is in and out in a matter of weeks?
Oh yeah, we like to call that "economic development".