SPRING 2012

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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 



QUOTABLES      

 
Trish Hofmann

     

California has the best crews and weather, not to mention amazingly diverse locations that can double for anywhere in the world. And thanks to the state's tax credit, projects such as "Hemingway and Gellhorn" can shoot entirely in-state.  
 
In our case, the incentive made a huge difference. The process was a bit challenging, but well worth the effort. We even set up a little shrine to pray for the tax rebate, with a candle, a bottle of Vodka, a picture of Hemingway and Gellhorn and a copy of 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'. When we got the credit, we celebrated... Hemingway style." 
 
    
Trish Hofmann

Executive Producer, on shooting "Hemingway and Gellhorn" in California
 

UPCOMING CFC BOARD MEETINGS


August 10th*    

Los Angeles 

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

 

November 2nd      

Los Angeles 

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm


*dates subject to change 

RECENT ISSUES: 


Winter 2012

Fall 2011


Summer 2011

Spring 2011

 

 

PUBLISHED BY 

cfc logo 


7080 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 900

Hollywood, CA 90028

323.860.2960

800.858.4749

 

[email protected] 

www.film.ca.gov 

 

(c) 2012   

California Film Commission 

MASTHEAD IMAGE: 

Springtime atop Humboldt County's Bald Hills mountain range, which rises above old-growth redwood forests.  

CFC's 7th Annual Locations Breakfast:

New Format and "Hemingway and Gellhorn" Panel Attract Record Turnout 
CFC Executive Director Amy Lemisch (left) with "Hemingway and Gellhorn" panelists: Patrick Ranahan, location manager; Matt Holzman (moderator), KCRW producer and host; Trish Hofmann, executive producer; and Chris Morley, visual effects supervisor.

Assemblymember and CFC Board Member Bob Blumenfield (center) and Mendocino County Film Commissioner Debra DeGraw
More than 200 film and TV executives, producers and journalists crowded into the ballroom at The London Hotel in West Hollywood on April 27th for the California Film Commission's 7th Annual Locations Breakfast.

It was the largest such event to date, and featured a new format with a tax credit program update from CFC Executive Director Amy Lemisch and a panel discussion with 
Cindy Moore, State Fire Marshall Film Liaison (left), CFC Deputy Film Commissioner Jim Fitzpatrick and Paul Audley, President, FilmL.A.
the creative team behind HBO's "Hemingway and Gellhorn" project, which stars Nicole Kidman and Clive Owen.
 
While set in a range of inter-national locales, "Hemingway and Gellhorn" (slated to debut May 28th) was shot entirely in California thanks to the state's tax credit program, advanced digital effects technology and the Bay Area's incredibly diverse locations.

Visit CFC's website to view media coverage of the Locations Breakfast, and view photos from the event at http://flickr.com/filmcalifornia.

Applications Accepted June 1st for Next $100 Million in Tax Credits

CA flagThe California Film Commission will begin accepting applications on Friday, June 1st for the next $100 million round of funding provided annually by the state's Film & Television Tax Credit Program.

Application packets may be submitted on June 1st between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm at the Film Commission's office (7080 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 900, Hollywood, CA 90028). Each packet received that day will be assigned a lottery number as part of a process that will determine at random which projects receive tax credits. When the entire $100 million allocation is exhausted, all remaining projects will be placed on a waiting list. Those on the list will be accepted as credits are freed up by approved projects that withdraw from the program due to scheduling delays or other production-related issues.

While new applications will continue to be accepted after the June 1st lottery, everyone is encouraged to submit on the first day given overwhelming demand.

More information is available on the CFC's website.

Download the tax credit application form and instructions: http://www.film.ca.gov/film.ca.gov_Application.htm

Lemisch to Speak at AFCI
Amy Lemisch
Amy Lemisch
Expo June 16th     

California Film Commission Executive Director Amy Lemisch has been tapped to speak on a panel titled "The Future of Film Incentives" on Saturday, June 16th during the AFCI (Association of Film Commissioners International) Locations Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center.


The panel, moderated by Richard Verrier of the Los Angeles Times, will investigate the film incentive environment, and where it's heading in the next five to 10 years.

The panel will be held from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm in Petree Hall, Room C. More information is available on AFCI's website

And don't forget to visit the home team...

If you're planning to attend
There's no place like home.
the Locations Show (June 15-16), don't forget to visit the CFC and our fellow FLICS (Film Liaisons in California Statewide) film offices at booths 610, 612 and 614. 


AFCI is the one event each year where film commissions from across the U.S. and around the world gather on our home turf to proclaim why they deserve a piece of our signature industry. Once you've heard their pitch and grabbed some of their swag, make sure to visit the California contingent to hear why 'there's no place like home' for your next project.

Will Smith Project Puts Redwoods State Park in Starring Role 

The California Film Commission worked closely with Humboldt County Film Commissioner Cassandra Hesseltine to bring Will Smith and director M. Night Shyamalan to Redwoods State Park for their latest project -- a science fiction thriller titled "After Earth."

Filming, which wrapped in the park earlier this month, featured Humboldt's old-growth Redwood groves as the backdrop for an imagined earth set 1,000 years after humans have abandoned the planet. The production employed more than 400 on-site cast, crew and support personnel, and relied on a wide range of local vendors and service providers.

"After Earth" is slated for a Summer 2013 release. Other high-profile films that have shot on-location on the North Coast include "Return of the Jedi," "Outbreak," "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" and "The Majestic."

Read more:
- "Redwoods State Park to play role of a lifetime"
- "'After Earth' wraps, Will Smith and company move on"
- "Hollywood in Humboldt" (Op-Ed)
 
Cindy Moore Appointed State Fire Marshal Film Liaison    
 

Cindy Moore
Cindy Moore
Fire service and code enforcement veteran Cindy Moore has been appointed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OFSM) to serve as liaison for the entertainment production industry.

Cindy brings more than 24 years of public service experience to her new post, which carries the official title of Deputy State Fire Marshal - Program Coordinator for the Motion Picture & Entertainment Safety Program. She will be responsible for helping ensure that productions are out of harm's way when it comes to special effects, pyrotechnics and anything fire-related. Cindy replaces Al Adams, who retired earlier this year after serving as liaison since 1995. The entire CFC staff welcomes Cindy to her new post, and we wish Al the very best in his retirement.
 
For more information, contact Cindy directly at [email protected].

CFC Teams with Santa Barbara Film Commission to Get "Film Friendly"

 

Last March, the California Film Commission teamed up with
the Santa Barbara Film Commission to stage the region's first film/TV production seminar for government and business leaders, crew members and other interested stakeholders. During the seminar, CFC Executive Director Amy Lemisch and Deputy Director Jim Fitzpatrick presented an overview of how California municipalities can adopt more film-friendly policies to encourage local production. The event also featured a presentation by Officer Miguel Luevano, CHP Film Liaison, and a camera car demonstration by Performance Filmworks.

CFC and FLICS Host 5th Annual California Locations Tradeshow

On April 28th, the California Film Commission partnered with FLICS (Film Liaisons In California Statewide) to host the 5th Annual California Locations Reception & Tradeshow. The event, held at the landmark 2000 Avenue of the Stars complex in Century City, provided film offices from across the state an opportunity to showcase their incredibly diverse locations and production resources. It also featured food and wine tasting from regions representing 23 film offices.

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 the California Locations Tradeshow, FLICS also produces the annual California On Location Awards (COLA) ceremony.  
Pauline East of the Antelope Valley Film Commission and FLICS spokesperson Richard McMillan at the welcome booth.
Visit FLICS' new and improved filmcalifornia.com website.

Featured Location:
;
West Sacramento Wastewater Treatment Plant
 


Looking for something industrial or post- apocalyptic?

This place has it all!


Just 10 minutes from downtown Sacramento, the decommissioned West Sacramento Wastewater Treatment Plant is available for filming. The plant is situated on 10 acres along the Sacramento River, and features several recessed open-air settling basins, pumping facilities, sludge pressing equipment and above ground tanks. There's also a control room and laboratory space, with lots of concrete and a vibe that's perfect for any evil villain's headquarters.

Visit the CFC's locations database for additional info and photos.

Contact: Lucy Steffens, Sacramento Film Commission
[email protected] / 916-808-5553
Production Alert:
Highway 1 Summer Film Restrictions


The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced that its annual summer restrictions on Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties will begin on Thursday, May 24th and remain in effect until after Labor Day.

For more information about the restrictions, view the alert online.
Tax Credit Projects Currently In Release

The following projects currently (or soon-to-be) in release were produced in California with assistance from the state's Film & Television Tax Credit Program:

"Think Like a Man"

 

"Hemingway and Gellhorn"

 

"Bunheads"  

 

"Crazy Eyes"  

 

"Pretty Little Liars" 

 

"Tim & Eric's Billion Dollar Movie" 

 

"Project X"    
 
"Think Like a Man"

"Hemingway and Gellhorn"
In the News 

CFC Board Member Steve Dayan of Teamsters Local 399 interviewed at Assembly hearing 
Below is a sampling of recent news stories featuring the California Film Commission
:

 

(5/8/12) 

The Sacramento Bee

"Incentives Sharpen State's Competitive Edge" (Op-Ed)

   

(5/1/12)
KABC-TV
"Hollywood Pushing for Tax Break Extension"

(4/27/12) 

The Hollywood Reporter

"CA Film Commission Explains How HBO Swapped Spain for San Francisco" 

 

(4/27/12) 

Los Angeles Daily News

"Movie Industry Reps Learn the Latest on $100 Million in Tax Credits" 

 

(4/27/12)

KNX-AM (CBS Radio)

"CA Film Commission Hosts 7th Annual Locations Breakfast" 

 

(4/24/12)

Los Angeles Times 

"HBO's 'Hemingway & Gellhorn" Sets Global Stage in San Francisco"  

 


(4/5/12)

FOX Business   

"Amid Tough Business Climate, California Entrepreneurs Flourish"  

 

(3/19/12)

Los Angeles Business Journal (via FoxAndHounds.com)  

"Shining Up Hollywood's Star" (Op-Ed)