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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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QUOTABLES
 | | Chris Brigham |
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"Working in California is a real pleasure. There's a strong, established system to support the film industry. The ground rules for shooting in communities and at locations are well
established, which helps streamline the decision making process.
The state is also home to the best technical crews and equipment, as well as a pro-active film commission ready to help whenever needed.
It was easy to find a variety of locations that doubled for the east coast, and the tax credit gave our director and many crew members the opportunity to work at home.
Finally, coming from the Northeast, you get spoiled in California not having to worry about 'cover'."
Chris Brigham
East Coast Producer on shooting "Argo" in California
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UPCOMING EVENTS FEATURING CFC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AMY LEMISCH
2/29 - U.S. State Department Business Leaders Breakfast for Foreign Ambassadors (featured speaker)
3/7 - Film Finance Forum West (panelist)
3/22 - Atlas Film Finance Conference (featured speaker)
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NEXT CFC BOARD MEETING
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May 9th* State Capitol Sacramento
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm *date subject to change |
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PUBLISHED BY
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MASTHEAD IMAGE:
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Winter on June Lake Loop Road, Highway 158 in Mono County (west of U.S. Route 395)
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Legislative Update:
Bill Introduced to Extend Film & TV Tax Credit Program for Five Years
 In our last newsletter, we reported on the passage of Assembly Bill 1069 to extend California's Film & Television Tax Credit Program for a single year through 2014-2015. The bill was originally written as a five year extension, but reduced in scope as the legislative session drew to a close.
But in a strong show of support, Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes introduced Assembly Bill 2026 on February 23rd to extend the Program an additional five years.
If passed, the newly proposed legislation will add much need continuity and certainty to the Program, which is targeted at retaining film and TV projects that are often planned years in advance.
The bill is supported by a bipartisan coalition of 18 co-authors. In a statement, Assemblymember Fuentes said, "We need to extend this targeted incentive to help keep Californians employed and prevent production companies from moving their projects, jobs and spending out of California."
We'll keep you posted on the bill's status. In the meantime, applications for the next fiscal year's $100 million tax credit allocation will be accepted starting June 1, 2012.
More information on California's Film & TV Tax Credit Program is available http://film.ca.gov/incentives.htm.
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CFC Earns Commendation for Management of Tax Credit Program 
Following a rigorous control audit, the California Film Commission was recently commended for the way it administers the state's Film & TV Tax Credit Program.
The audit was performed by CFC's parent agency - BTH (Business, Transportation & Housing Agency) - to assess risk and review performance of the tax credit lottery procedure, application review process, internal monitoring systems, databases and tax credit approval process. The goal was to ensure applications are processed in accordance with the program statute and regulations, and that the review process has a reliable back-up system to catch any possible errors.
Based on its review, BTH commended the Film Commission, concluding that California's Film & TV Tax Credit Program is very well administered and has adequate controls in place to mitigate any associated risk.
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Making the Rounds...
 | Amy Lemisch and CA Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes at
Film & TV Tax Credit Roundtable
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CFC Executive Director Amy Lemisch is a frequent speaker at entertainment industry, government affairs and civic events. Most recently, she was invited to speak at an entertainment roundtable on Film Tax Credits hosted by VICA (Valley Industry Commerce Association), Manpower and Film L.A. Panelists included Ms. Lemisch and Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes, Matt Gross (producer of "Body of Proof") and Gregg Bilson (ISS Props). The discussion revolved around the legislative climate for tax credits, how small businesses are affected by out-of-state competition and how producers make decisions on where to locate a project.
Other recent appearances include a Leadership Southern California panel where Ms. Lemish spoke about regional economic and social issues with Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel, and a workshop titled "Best Practices in Film Production & Business Development" hosted by the Santa Barbara Film Commission for city/county officials and entertainment industry professionals.
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Sony EVP Keith Weaver Elected Chair of CFC Board
 | | Keith Weaver |
Legislative and public affairs expert Keith Weaver has been elected chairman of the California Film Commission Board of Directors.
Keith joined the Commission as a board member in 2008, and currently serves as executive VP of worldwide government affairs at Sony Pictures Entertainment. He held his first meeting as chairman on February 3rd, replacing Michael F. Miller, Jr. of IATSE, who continues to serve as a board member.
Other changes to the Film Commission's 21-member Board include the election of Teamsters Local 399 Business Agent and Organizer Steve Dayan as vice chair, and documentary producer Hilary Armstrong as secretary.
Prior to joining Sony in 2002, Keith served as staff director for the California State Redistricting Office, where he led the effort to develop new legislative district boundaries. He was also manager of community and government relations for Kaiser Permanente.
"Keith is as much at home in Sacramento as he is in Hollywood," said CFC Executive Director Amy Lemisch. "He brings a powerful blend of public affairs and entertainment industry experience, and he knows how to get things done."
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Headway Project/UCLA Study Affirms Economic Benefit of Tax Credit Program
A new study commissioned by The Headway Project and performed by UCLA's Institute for Research on Labor and Employment affirms the positive economic impact of California's film and television production incentive.
The authors conclude that the incentive is creating jobs and providing an immediate economic benefit to the state. They also take a very favorable view of how the program was conceived and is currently administered, stating that it is "thrifty and well-designed" with strict oversight.
The full report, titled "There's No Place Like Home" is available online. Click here to read the report.
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Reeling in the Production:
Santa Clarita Valley Scores Big Gains in 2011
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On location with NCIS in Santa Clarita
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Local officials attribute growth to CA's film/TV tax credit
The Santa Clarita Valley Film Office has reported that 2011 was an exceptionally busy year for local film, TV and commercial production.
It was, in fact, a record-breaking year for the region, which issued more permits in 2011 than for any other year since the film office was founded in 2002. In all, 359 film permits were issued for 901 filming days. The economic impact was substantial, with nearly $20 million spent at local businesses (a seven percent increase over 2010).
Local officials attribute much of the rise to California's Film & Television Tax Credit program. Since the program went into effect in 2009, Santa Clarita has hosted production for more than 30 incentive projects. In addition, the city has its own incentive, which grants refunds for local film permit fees.
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Featured Location: Claremont Custody Center
Need to Shoot Scenes in the Slammer?
 Located off the I-5 just three miles east of Coalinga, the Claremont Custody Center (minimum security correctional facility) is currently vacant and available for filming. It was built in 1990 and has 569 dorm-style bunk beds and 14 cells situated on 10 acres. Facilities include an industrial kitchen and laundry, dining hall, classrooms, infirmary, library and recreational areas, as well as vocational buildings including a farm, animal shelter and auto repair garage. Almost all of the prison equipment remains, including beds, cafeteria trays and walkie talkies. The City of Coalinga is very receptive to welcoming film projects.
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Tax Credit Projects at the Oscars
Congratulations to the following Oscar-nominated films that were made in California with the help of the state's Film & Television Tax Credit Program:
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"Beginners"
"Moneyball"
"A Better Life"
"Bridesmaids"
"The Muppets"
"Drive" |
 | Oscar Winner Christopher Plummer and Ewan McGregor in "Beginners"
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| | Also, kudos to following projects currently in wide-release that were produced in California with assistance from the Program: |
"Rampart"
"We Bought A Zoo"
"The Good Doctor"
"Switched at Birth"
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Matt Damon in
"We Bought a Zoo"
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| Coming Soon:
"Hemingway &
Gelhorn"
"Tim & Eric's Billion
Dollar Movie"
"Project X"
"Think Like a Man"
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 | | "The Good Doctor" starring Orlando Bloom and Michael Pena |
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In the News
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CFC Board Chair Keith Weaver (left) with Board Secretary
Hilary Armstrong and Vice Chair Steve Dayan
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Below is a sampling of recent news stories featuring the California Film Commission: (02/28/12) Santa Barbara Independent "Bringing the Movie Business to Santa Barbara" (2/26/12) San Francisco Examiner "S.F.'s inability to nab 'Alcatraz' spotlights film industry woes" (2/6/12) Daily Variety
"Study: State needs to expand tax credits" (1/5/11) Los Angeles Business Journal "Sony Executive to Lead State Film Commission's Board" (1/5/12) The Hollywood Reporter "Keith Weaver Elected Chairman of California Film Commission" (December '11) P3 Update The Top 10 Locations in the Universe" (10/5/11) Los Angeles Daily News "Local Film on rise; credit goes to tax incentives" |
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