(1) A production company begins the state certification process by submitting the following information on an application form provided by the Montana Film Office:

(a) Production company's name, primary business address, telephone and fax numbers, incorporation information, federal tax identification number, and the name of at least one principal company officer or manager;

(b) Address and telephone and fax numbers of the production company's Montana office or Montana registered agent;

(c) Name of the line producer, unit production manager, or production accountant;

(d) Statement that the applicant meets the definition of production company;

(e) Title of production;

(f) Type of production;

(g) Proposed dates of production from preproduction, to start, to completion of principal photography;

(h) Copy of synopsis or production script;

(i) List of production locations;

(j) Statement production does not contain obscene material;

(k) Statement production will include Montana promotion;

(l) Statement regarding minimum base investment; and

(m) Any other information requested by the Montana Film Office.

(2) A production application is complete when all of the information requested on the application form has been provided to the Montana Film Office by the production company, all follow-up information requested by the Montana Film Office has been provided by the production company, the application form has been signed by the manager, agent, president, vice president, or other person authorized to represent the production company, and a $500 application fee has been received by the Montana Film Office.

(3) A complete production application must be submitted by the production company before the start of principal photography.