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The California Film Commission (CFC) enhances California's status as the leader in motion picture, television and commercial production.
A one-stop office for filmmakers, the Commission supports productions of all sizes and budgets. In addition to managing the Film & Television Tax Credit program, services include an extensive digital location library, free online permitting, low cost use of state properties as shooting locations, and production assistance.
www.film.ca.gov
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UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS
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July 29
Los Angeles
5757 Wilshire Blvd.
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
November 4
Los Angeles
5757 Wilshire Blvd.
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
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QUOTABLES
"I would prefer to always work in California, where I'm surrounded by the best actors, crews, facilities and vendors. It's also my home, and nothing beats being close to family and friends. But despite all of its advantages, California simply can't compete these days without a meaningful incentive.
Whether we like it or not, decisions about where to shoot are driven by the bottom line. Thanks to California's tax credit program, I was able to keep production for "Drive" in Los Angeles, where it belonged."
David Lancaster
President, Bold Films
From testimony presented July 6th at the Senate Governance and Finance Committee hearing in Sacramento. David's latest feature film, "Drive," was shot in California as a result of the state's tax credit program. It will be released September 16th.
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PUBLISHED BY
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In Demand...
Applications More than Double for Latest Round of Tax Credits
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A record 176 applications were received on June 1st for the latest round of film and TV tax credits.
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Demonstrating the entertainment industry's strong desire to keep production at home, the number of applications submitted for the latest round of California film and TV tax credits more than doubled compared to last year.
The California Film Commission began accepting applications for the current fiscal year on June 1st, when it processed a total of 176 applications, versus 70 last year. At 3:00 pm on June 1st, the Commission held a lottery (with assistance and validation from the California Highway Patrol) to select projects at random until the entire $100 million yearly allocation was assigned. In all, 29 projects were selected to
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CHP Officer Miguel Luevano assisted with the lottery selection process.
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receive tax credits.
Applications will continue to be accepted and added to the waiting list throughout the fiscal year. Once on the list, they will be eligible only after credits are freed up by other projects that withdraw due to scheduling delays, casting commitments, or other production-related issues.
More information about the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program is available on the the Film Commission's website.
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Returning Home...
 In a victory for California, ABC's highly-rated primetime drama "Body of Proof" has relocated production to Burbank from Providence, Rhode Island.
The move was announced after the series qualified for California's tax credit incentive. The show employs a crew of about 200 and spends an estimated $43 million-plus each season.
Other recent TV series that have relocated to California with help from the incentive include BBC's "Torchwood" (from Wales) and BET's "Reed Between the Lines" (from Atlanta).
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Film & TV Tax Credit Pumps $3.8 Billion Into State Economy
In its first two years, California's Film & Television Tax Credit Program generated more than $3.8 billion in economic activity, created more than 20,000 jobs and raised in excess of $200 million in state tax revenues, according to a study released June 28th by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC).
The study also reported that the five-year program, which is capped at $100 million per year in tax credits, brings in at least $1.13 in new tax revenues to state and local governments for each tax dollar allocated.
The study results were unveiled at a news conference held on the Disney Studios lot, near the sound stage where ABC's "Body of Proof" is ramping up production after returning to California.
The news conference was led by Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes, who authored Assembly Bill 1069 to extend the existing tax credit program for an additional five years.
A copy of the full report is available on the Film Commission's website.
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Legislative Update:
Support Grows to Extend Film & TV Tax Credit Program
 With the final round of California film and TV tax credits set to be allocated by July of next year, legislators in Sacramento are demonstrating strong support to extend the program for an additional five years.
In late May, the California Assembly approved AB 1069 by a 77-1 vote. The bill introduced by Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes calls for a five-year extension of the state's $100 million per year Film & Television Tax Credit Program through fiscal year 2018-1019.
Just over a month later, the State Senate's Governance and Finance Committee voted 9-0 to back AB 1069, advancing the legislation to the Senate Appropriations committee where it will be the focus of a hearing in late August.
View the 7/6/11 Senate Committee Hearing on AB 1069
(Via CalChannel) |
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California Claims Home-Field Advantage at International Locations Expo
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Members of the California contingent included (from left)
Charla Teeters (Imperial County), Sheri Davis (Inland Empire), Amy Lemisch (CA Film Commission), Janice Arrington
(Orange County) and Geoff Alexander (Santa Barbara).
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The California Film Commission and more than a dozen regional film commissions from across the state were on-hand June 4-5 at the third annual Produced By Conference, which was presented by the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) and the Producers Guild of America (PGA).
Held at Disney Studios in Burbank, the event featured panels and presentations by Hollywood luminaries. It also attracted more than 300 film commissions from around the globe -- nearly all with the express goal of luring production from the Golden State.
The California contingent was by far the largest. The California Film Commission was joined by more than a dozen FLICS (Film Liaisons in California Statewide) member film offices from jurisdictions including Antelope Valley, El Dorado, Fresno County, Imperial County, Inland Empire, Kern, Los Angeles, Mendocino, Monterey, Orange County, Placer, Ridgecrest, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clarita, Tulare and Tuolumne County. In a show of solidarity, FilmL.A.'s Film Works campaign distributed bumper stickers that read "Keep Jobs in California" instead of the usual "Keep Jobs in L.A." tagline.
 | "On the Ground With..." panelists (from left)
Jason Hariton, Laura Greenlee, Steven Wolfe and Amy Lemisch discussed the benefits of production
in the Golden State.
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In addition, California Film Commission Executive Director Amy Lemisch was one of just eight film commissioners worldwide invited to participate in the conference's "On the Ground With..." speaker series. Amy discussed the benefits of shooting in California, and led a panel discussion with producers who have made California their home for production.
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Featured Location: Medium Security Jail in San Mateo County
Need to shoot scenes in the slammer?
 Less than an hour from San Francisco International Airport, this medium security jail is ideal for filming. It features cells, staff quarters, kitchen/mess hall, barracks and library. The property is surrounded by redwood trees in a private area near San Mateo's Memorial Park.
Contact the San Mateo Film Commission
for more info www.filmsanmateocounty.com.
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Tax Credit Projects in Theaters Now
The following feature films currently in wide-release were produced in California with assistance from the state's Film & Television Tax Credit Program:
"Larry Crowne"
"Horrible Bosses"
"Friends with Benefits"
"Bad Teacher"
"Crazy Stupid Love"
"Winnie the Pooh"
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