WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Hoping to lure more lucrative film and television projects — and perhaps cash-in on a big budget production in the near term — D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams is proposing a slate of tax breaks and other financial incentives for major media endeavors.

Work on “National Treasure 2,” the sequel to the 2004 Nicolas Cage blockbuster, is slated to start in February. How much time the cast and crew remain in Washington, spending tens of thousands of dollars a day on everything from video tape to hotel rooms, might depend on the generosity of the nation’s capital, one city official said.

“The whole idea is to get them to film more than just postcard Washington,” said Crystal Palmer, director of the D.C. film office. “It’s important that we get it passed so as they start to plan shoot days we’ll have our costs in line.”

The incentive package, introduced to the D.C. Council as an emergency so that it takes effect immediately, would exempt most media productions from the 5.75 percent sales tax on project-related expenses, and lop 4.5 percent off the 14.5 percent hotel tax. Also, it would establish a $500,000 fund to reimburse nationally distributed productions for expenses, up to $250,000 per project.

The measure’s fiscal impact is still being analyzed, but the bill’s backers believe the District will earn more during production than it gives up in tax breaks.

But businesses generally aren’t driven by tax breaks, said Ed Lazere, executive director of the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute. Filmmakers shoot in D.C. because they must.

“There is no evidence ever that tax breaks pay for themselves,” Lazere said.

It is easier than ever to replicate the famous D.C. backdrop with computer generated imagery, Palmer said, but film in a less expensive location. The proposed incentive package would put the District on par with surrounding states: Maryland and Virginia both offer sales tax exemptions and lower hotel tax rates.

“National Treasure 2” is a product of Disney and media giant Jerry Bruckheimer. The original “National Treasure” cost $100 million to produce and earned $347 million worldwide. Cast and crew spent three weeks in D.C. during filming, racking up a $1 million hotel bill.

Palmer said she is currently in negotiations with Bruckheimer’s production company on the film’s schedule.

Projects filmed in D.C. in 2005

» The Sentinel

» Mission: Impossible: III

» The Visiting

» The Good Shepherd

» Thank You For Smoking

» E-Ring (television)

» Commander-in-Chief (television)

mneibauer@dcexaminer.com