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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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Like the CFC on Facebook!
The CFC has a new Facebook page where you can get the latest info and links regarding production updates, industry events, tax credit news, etc. You'll also find spectacular photos of California locations - from the iconic to the downright obscure.
Please give us a like and stay connected with the CFC!
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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.
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UPCOMING CFC BOARD MEETINGS*
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January 30, 2015
Los Angeles
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
April 28, 2015
Sacramento
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
July 31, 2015
Los Angeles
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
November 6, 2015
Los Angeles
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
*dates subject to change
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PUBLISHED BY
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Mathead Image:
Point Lobos State Reserve in Monterey County. Photo by Chuck Bancroft. |
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Signed, Sealed and Delivered
Get Ready for California's Newly Expanded Film and TV Tax Credit Program!
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Governor Brown flanked by lawmakers, production industry leaders and crew/union members at the bill signing ceremony.
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On September 18 Governor Brown signed bipartisan legislation to more than triple the size of California's film and TV tax credit program. Assembly Bill 1839 will increase the annual tax credit allocation to $330 million for five years starting with fiscal year 2015-16. Project eligibility will also be expanded to include big budget feature films (more than $75 million), TV pilots and new one-hour TV series for any distribution outlet. In addition, the current lottery used for allocating tax credits will be replaced with a competitive system that ranks applicants according to new jobs created and overall economic impact. The bill signing ceremony was held at the landmark TLC Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, where the Governor was joined by a crowd of lawmakers, industry leaders and crew/union members. The California Film Commission is currently working on policies and protocols to implement the new program. Please check the "Incentives" section of CFC's website for periodic updates.
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20th Annual California On-Location Awards
CFC Helps Honor Location Pros Working Across the Golden State
 For 20 years, the California On-Location Awards (COLAs) have honored location professionals, production companies and public employees for their exceptional efforts to facilitate on-location production statewide. Attendees at this year's ceremony November 9 at the Beverly Hilton's International Ballroom were abuzz with enthusiasm over the recent passage of AB 1839 and prospects to further retain and grow in-state production.  | |
FLICS All-Stars: (from left) Janice Arrington of Orange County Film Commission, Carla Teeters of Imperial County Film Commission, Pauline East of Antelope Valley Film Office and Sheri Davis of Inland Empire Film Commission
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State Public Employee of the Year: Rhonda Weber of Caltrans
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CFC Deputy Director Eve Honthaner introduced the Public Employee award category. The Film Commission congratulates all the winners and finalists, including Rhonda Weber of Caltrans (Office of Encroachment Permits, District 4), who took home the COLA for State Public Employee of the Year. It was the second consecutive win for an employee from Caltrans - last year Statewide Film Permit Coordinate Roger San Juan took home the award. The annual COLA program is produced by Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS) - an association of 41 city and county film commissions across the state dedicated to facilitating on-location production. See the complete list of 2014 winners on the COLA website.
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Drone Filming on State Property Update
 On November 5, the Film Commission issued a production alert with updated information on the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) - also known more commonly as "drones" - while filming on state property.
The alert includes a list of the seven UAS operators granted an exemption by the FAA to use UAS for commercial filming (note the FAA has a general ban on commercial UAS use).
The alert also covers new UAS state permit requirements (including insurance guidelines) and operator terms and conditions.
The full text of the production alert is available on the CFC website.
Note that Caltrans will not issue encroachment permits for UAS filming until the agency has an official policy in effect. Other state agencies are developing their own separate requirements. Please check with all relevant state agencies or with the CFC before submitting your permit application for a shoot involving the use of UAS.
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Reminder...
Caltrans Holiday Season Restrictions
We send essentially the same reminders every year, but it's worth repeating that there are two holiday-related moratoriums for roadways managed by Caltrans. Restrictions Across L.A. and Ventura Counties -
11/26-11/30/14 Caltrans has imposed a Thanksgiving holiday weekend closure restriction Wednesday, November 26 through Sunday, November 30 for any permit request across District 7 (which covers L.A. and Ventura Counties) that may create delays for motorists.
Restrictions Specifically Near LAX - 11/21/14 - 1/6/15 The Cali  fornia Film Commission, in conjunction with Caltrans (and with support from Los Angeles World Airports), has announced a holiday moratorium effective November 21, 2014 through January 6, 2015 on permits for closures and rolling breaks on state freeways, freeway ramps and roads within a four mile radius of LAX. The goal is to minimize filming-related disruptions to passenger and cargo traffic during the busy holiday season, as well as ensure freeways around LAX (especially the often-filmed 105 Freeway) remain viable for non-holiday season production. Read the CFC Production Alert. For more information please contact the California Film Commission at (323) 860-2960.
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CFC Teams with FilmL.A. at American Film Market
 The California Film Commission joined forces with FilmL.A. to promote in-state production at the 35th American Film Market (AFM), held November 5 -12 in Santa Monica. CFC's Nancy Stone and Leah Medrano were stationed at FilmL.A.'s exhibition booth to answer questions and provide updates regarding the state's newly expanded film and TV tax credit program. Produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance, AFM serves the global independent production and distribution industry. This year nearly 8,000 industry leaders from more than 80 countries attended the eight days of exhibitions, panels, networking and deal-making.
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Welcome Aboard!
 | | New CFC Board Members: Gov. Brown has appointed Michael Nyman, chairman and CEO of public relations firm PMK*BNC (left) and IATSE Local 80 Business Agent Thomas Davis to serve on the California Film Commission board of directors. |
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Featured Location:
Bernal Heights Park in San Francisco
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Panoramic vista looking toward Sutro Tower from the top of Bernal Heights Park
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Take your production to new heights with this killer view!
Bernal Heights Park in San Francisco provides breathtaking views of the City by the Bay. Located south of the Mission District, this film-friendly hilltop park is used often for sunrise and sunset shoots, and is the perfect spot to capture the fog rolling in past Sutro Tower. Talk about drama... you can see just about everything from this unique swath of open parkland, from the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges to Twin Peaks and downtown.
For more information, contact Jim Jackson, San Francisco Recreation & Parks: jim.jackson@sfgov.org
/ 415-831-5528.
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As part of its effort to promote in-state production, the California Film Commission lends its support to a wide range of industry and civic events.
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Hollywood Chamber of Commerce 3rd Annual State of the Entertainment Industry Conference panel November 21 featuring CFC Executive Director Amy Lemisch (2nd from right) with moderator Ted Johnson (Variety) and panelists Glenn Gainor (Screen Gems), Lisa Cochran-Neilan ("Pretty Little Liars") and Joe Genier ("Teen Wolf"). The panel was titled "We Passed AB 1839... Now What?"
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Variety 411 Webinar: CFC's Nancy Rae Stone discusses changes to the state's tax credit program during November 13 webinar titled "The Changing Incentive Landscape: An In-Depth Review of California, UK and Ireland" Click here to view the webinar. |
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In the News
Below is a sampling of recent news stories featuring the California Film Commission:
(10/17/14)
The Wall Street Journal
California Aims to Lure Movie Industry Back
(10/01/14)
KPCC-FM
California Reloads for Battle Over Runaway Production
(09/19/14)
Reuters
California Triples Tax Breaks for Film Production
(09/18/14)
FOX11 (Los Angeles)
Thinking Big in the Golden State
(08/27/14)
New York Times
California Agrees to Expand Film and TV Incentive
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