Dear Sir,Back in the 80s, a feeler was put out to Government, proposing that some areas of Dockyard would make extraordinary film, TV and music production facilities: a classic studio “lot” with sound-stages ready-built (like fortresses), set shops, storage, offices, and accommodations for stars and crew alike. Gorgeous Bermuda could become a go-to place for producers from all over looking for an offshore, welcoming, civilised place, highly professional and state-of-the-art, brilliantly convenient to the US.A new, “clean,” glamorous and potentially unlimited industry would be introduced to the Island, and Government incentives could be used to encourage the productions to bring on-board and train Bermudians in the skills and disciplines necessary. Our schools would follow suit, with courses (and world-class guest lecturers) in the full range of all the creative aspects of production — music, design, directing, performance, lighting, camera, costuming, special effects, etc — as well as the technological, business and practical sides. All the ancillary businesses that accompany production — carpentry, plastering, electricals, catering, transportation, trucking, supplies, equipment rentals, hospitality, etc — would grow up around it; potentially a whole new (year-round) economic “pillar” for Bermuda (which would at the same time hugely support and enhance tourism) and enormous new opportunities for our youth.As Bermudians grew in skills and knowledge and expanded their talents, so would the desirability of the facility and the potential for its growth. As time went by and its reputation grew, a Film School adjunct of Bermuda College could become an education destination for students around the world.All in all, it could have been a historic game-changer for all of us. Government’s immediate response? All the (very expensive) equipment and material coming in would have to be subject to duty. The productions would have to hire (untrained) Bermudians in key positions from the get-go. Well ... No thanks. And no, thanks.A dream? We’ll never know how it might have gone — as usual, no one was willing (or able?) to take the long view. And now … is there still something that could be done with this opportunity that might create historic — and positive — change for all, diversifying our economy and inspiring the generations coming up? It will be interesting to see those proposals.Sometimes we do need to dream.MICHAEL K FRITHPaget