SPRING 2014
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: 

Assembly Bill 1839 (Gatto / Bocanegra) California Film and Television Job Retention and Promotion Act was approved by the state assembly on Wednesday with a resounding show of support and a unanimous 74 - 0 vote.

 The bill proposes to extend and expand the state's film and TV tax credit program to make California more competitive and keep more film and TV projects at home.  The bill now moves to the State Senate.   

cfc logo

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 



QUOTABLE

 

Matthew Perniciaro

 

Thanks to California's tax credit program, we were able to keep our independent shoot at home, something that would otherwise not have been possible given competition from other states. 

 

It was a great experience, and we look forward to working with the program and the California Film Commission on future projects." 

 

 

Matthew Perniciaro
Producer, 
"Shangri-La Suite" 
(set for 2015 release) 
 

NO PERMIT FEES ON STATE OWNED PROPERTY!  

The California Film Commission offers FREE permits for filming on state property. State-owned properties generally assess a fee only to recover out-of-pocket costs such as monitoring services and parking. There are so many state-owned locations to choose from, so keep us in mind as your low-cost location option.

Visit CFC's website for more info.

UPCOMING CFC BOARD MEETINGS

 

July 25th*

Los Angeles 

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

 

November 7th*

Los Angeles 

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

 

*dates subject to change 

RECENT ISSUES:

PUBLISHED BY 

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7080 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 900

Hollywood, CA 90028

323.860.2960

800.858.4749

 

[email protected] 

www.film.ca.gov 

 

(c) 2014     

California Film Commission 

Applications Accepted June 2nd for Next Round of California Tax Credits

It's that time of year again...

 

The California Film Commission will begin accepting applications on Monday, June 2nd for the next $100 million round of the state's Film & Television Tax Credit Program.

On that day, the Film Commission will hold its annual tax credit lottery to determine which projects are selected initially to receive tax credits, and which are placed on the waiting list. The lottery is California's unique solution to a unique problem - demand for our tax credits far exceeds supply.

 

To be included in the lottery, applications must be delivered to the Film Commission's office (7080 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 900, Hollywood, CA 90028) on June 2nd between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm.

Each application received during that period will be assigned a lottery number and included in the drawing that begins at 3:30 pm. Projects will be selected at random during a transparent process with oversight from the State Fire Marshal's Office.

More information, including the application form and detailed instructions, is available on the CFC website.

 

CFC's 9th Annual Locations Breakfast:

  

The Future of California's Tax Credit Program was the Focus as Attendees Heard Direct from Governor's Office  

 

Kish Rajan, director of the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, delivers encouraging remarks.
More than 200 production executives, labor leaders, regional film commissioners and others involved in California's fight against runaway production gathered at the W Hotel in Hollywood on April 24th for the California Film Commission's 9th Annual Locations Breakfast. 

Ken Ziffren, senior advisor to Mayor Garcetti, with CFC Executive Director Amy Lemisch

The topic on everyone's mind was the future of California's Film & Television Tax Credit Program, as two related bills currently work their way through the state legislature.  

 

The event kicked off with an update from CFC Executive Director Amy Lemisch, followed by an address from Kish Rajan, director of the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development. Rajan told the audience that he and the Governor understand the toll runaway production is taking on the state.

 

"The reason I'm here is we've developed a very clear understanding and appreciation of how vitally important this sector is to our economy," he pronounced.

  

Industry leaders take in the panel discussion at CFC's 9th Annual Locations Breakfast.
CFC's Amy Lemisch with panel members Richard Wright, Ralph Meyer and Kim Masters.

The event also included a panel discussion with the makers of "Walk of Shame" - a feature film that participated in the state's tax credit program and shot almost entirely in Los Angeles as a  result. Moderated by Kim Masters (host of KCRW's "The Business"), the discussion with Lakeshore Entertainment's Richard Wright and location manager Ralph Meyer examined how the state's tax credit program helped keep production jobs and related spending at home. 

Calling All Production Professionals...
 
Attend the 7th Annual California Locations Conference June 28 at the Hollywood Museum



Location managers, producers, directors, studio executives, line producers, UPMs and production designers are among the industry professionals who should attend the 7th Annual California Locations Conference, which will be held Saturday, June 28th at the Hollywood Museum.

The Conference has expanded in recent years to become the go-to event for those seeking to make the most of California's production resources. This year the schedule includes panel sessions on topics ranging from incentives and on-location safety to the latest trends in digital production and distribution. There will also be case study presentations and a commercial production workshop.

The Conference will also include museum tours and a wine tasting/networking reception featuring regional wines selected by film commissioners from across the state. 
 
Early bird registration (just $35) ends May 31st. After that, general admission is $75 (online) and $95 at the door. Use California Film Commission discount code "CFC2014" after June 1st for a $25 discount on general admission. Local 399/LMGA location professionals: watch for an email with special registration instructions. 

The California Locations Conference is produced and hosted by the California Film Commission and Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS). 

For more information and to register please visit http://conference.filmcalifornia.com.

Production Alert
Highway 1 Summer Filming Restrictions
 
Filming along iconic stretches of Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties will be restricted between May 23rd and September 2nd. Such restrictions, which occur annually near Carmel Highlands, include prohibitions for intermittent traffic control (ITC), rolling breaks and lane closures.
 
For more information contact Permit Coordinator David Booth at the California Film Commission - (323) 860-2960 x104 / [email protected]

Click here to view the production alert on the CFC website.

FAA Plans Rule Changes on Commercial Drone Use 

There has been a lot of interest lately regarding the FAA's prohibition on commercial use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). 

Such use includes cameras mounted on remote controlled helicopters (or drones) for film shoots. Until the FAA comes up with new rules, the State of California will prohibit their use for filming on state property.

A proposed small UAS rule should be published for public comment late this summer or early fall. The rule is expected to provide a legal venue for drone use, with provisions to minimize the associated risk. The California Film Commission will continue to monitor developments.
Featured Location: 
Refugio Beach in Santa Barbara County 

 

 

 

The Look and Feel of Hawaii, Without Crossing the Pacific   

 

Refugio Beach in Santa Barbara County is an idyllic setting that can be shot for Hawaii, Mexico and other remote tropical beach locations. Its gently curved coastline and distinctive palm tree-lined sand is punctuated by a dramatic point. It may look exotic, but it's located just 20 miles up the coast from Santa Barbara! 

 

For more information, contact Geoff Alexander, Santa Barbara County Film Commissioner: [email protected] / 805-966-9222.  

Inland Empire Eliminates Permit Fees
 
The Inland Empire Film Commission announced recently that the Riverside County Board of Supervisors has eliminated permit fees and business license requirements in all unincorporated areas. 

The revised film ordinance also provides free use of County-owned locations for projects that shoot for 10 days or less. It also waives the transient occupancy tax (TOT) for staying at area hotels and motels.

Other more localized Inland Empire incentives include waived film permit fees in the cities of Needles, Palm Springs and Temecula (Palm Springs also offers a $5,000 grant for qualified productions). In addition, the cities of Eastvale, Calimesa, Indio and Yucaipa do not require a permit to film on private property.

For more information about waived fees/taxes, locations, permitting, etc. contact Sheri Davis, Director, Inland Empire Film Commission (951-377-7849 / [email protected].

Call for Submissions

Join the NewFilmmakers Los Angeles "What is Your LA?" Competition

For the second year, the California Film Commission is proud to serve as a community partner for the NewFilmmakers Los Angeles' ON LOCATION: The Los Angeles Video Project "What's Your L.A." competition - a community outreach program that celebrates what local filmmakers call "their L.A." 

Participants have an opportunity to win more than $50,000 in prizes by submitting a story in narrative, documentary, commercial or animation format that highlights Los Angeles positively to the rest of the world. The objective is to create original, branded entertainment with Los Angeles as the experience.

The best submissions will be screened during a red carpet premiere October 11th at the AT&T Center in Downtown L.A. The event is sponsored by The City of Los Angeles and LA Weekly.

The deadline for entries is August 29th. For more info, visit www.nfmla.org/onlocation.
 
In the News 

Below is a sampling of recent
news stories featuring the California Film Commission:

 

(5/28/14)

Los Angeles Times

 

(5/13/14)

Los Angeles Times

 

(4/30/14)

Los Angeles Daily News (op-Ed)

 

(4/30/14)

TheWrap

 

(4/24/14)

Los Angeles Times

 

(4/21/14)

Los Angeles Times (Op-Ed) 

"To Not Nix Pix, California Must Use Tax Trix" 

 

(4/15/14)

The Hollywood Reporter

"California Tax Incentives Boost L.A. Movie Production While TV Activity Declines" 

 

(3/20/14)

Los Angeles Times

"Report: California Film Tax Credit a Good Investment"