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CFC Reprises Matchmaker Role for
6th Annual Locations Breakfast
Borrowing a technique used by time-strapped singles looking for romance, the California Film Commission's 6th Annual Locations Breakfast on April 1st included a speed dating session to match producers with representatives from 20-plus film offices from across the state.
More than 150 feature film, television and commercial producers attended the event at the Sofitel Los Angeles (which happens to be located at the nexus of the "30-mile zone").
Also on the agenda was an update from CFC Executive Director Amy Lemisch on California's Film & Television Tax Credit incentive. Other speakers included Lisa Bruce, a veteran line producer who added first-hand industry perspective on the effectiveness of the incentive. Ms. Bruce recounted how the tax credit enabled her most recent project ("No Strings Attached" starring Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman) to shoot in California.
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Gearing Up for the Next Round of Tax Credits
Applications Accepted Starting June 1st
The California Film Commission will begin accepting applications on Wednesday, June 1st for the next $100 million round of funding provided annually by the state's Film & Television Tax Credit Program.
While applications will continue to be accepted after the June 1 start date, everyone is encouraged to prepare in advance and submit on the first day given overwhelming demand.
Since the program was launched in July 2009, the CFC has granted $300 million in tax credits to 116 projects. In total, these projects are estimated to be responsible for $2.2 billion in direct in-state spending, including $728 million in wages paid to "below-the-line" crew.
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Water for Elephants is one of 116 projects to shoot in California thus far due to the tax credit incentive. |
CFC Production Alert - Tax Credit Application Procedures |
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CFC Director Makes Rounds at Legislative Hearings
 In recent weeks, CFC Executive Director
Amy Lemisch has testified at a series of legislative hearings focused on the state's efforts to fight runaway film and television production.
She was the lead presenter in Pasadena on March 18th at a hearing led by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge) and attended by members of the Select Committee on the Preservation of California's Entertainment Industry.
On March 21st, Ms. Lemisch was in Sacramento to give an in-depth update on the state's Film & Television Tax Credit Program before a joint hearing of the Assembly Committee on Arts & Entertainment and the Revenue & Taxation Committee.
View 3/21/11 Assembly Hearing Proceedings
(via CalChannel.com)
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New CHP Liaison Joins Location Permitting Team
California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Luevano has joined the CFC team as the new coordinator for filming on state-managed freeways, highways and roads. He replaces Officer Cheyenne Quesada, who served as liaison for four years and earned widespread respect and gratitude for his hard work.
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 CFC & FLICS Host 4th Annual California Locations Tradeshow
For the fourth consecutive year, the California Film Commission partnered with FLICS (Film Liaisons In California Statewide) to host the annual California Locations Reception & Tradeshow, which was held Saturday, April 2nd in Century City.
More than 30 film offices from across the state were on hand to showcase their incredibly diverse locations. The theme of this year's event was "Why in the World Film Anywhere Else... when the whole world is in California?"
 FLICS is a network of regional
film offices and commissions that work cooperatively with the California Film Commission to attract and facilitate film, television, commercial and print media production statewide. In addition to helping stage the California Locations Tradeshow, FLICS also produces the annual California On Location Awards (COLA) ceremony.
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Welcome New CFC Board Members
 | Members of the California Film Commission 2011 Board of Directors Present at January 28th Board Meeting
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During its January 28th board meeting, the California Film Commission welcomed four newly appointed board members: Hilary Armstrong, President of Fire of Life Films; Fred Baron, Executive Vice President of Feature Production at 20th Century Fox; Lindy DeKoven, President of DeKoven Entertainment; and Aaron McLear, Former Press Secretary for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Also new to the board is California Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Canada/Flintridge).
Please visit CFC's website for a complete list of 2011 Board members.
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