Written by new-contact on Apr 19, 2012. Posted in Incentive News

California takes steps to extend film and TV location filming incentives

California is taking steps to extend its film and TV location filming incentives, which would make USD100 million available annually through to fiscal year 2020. In the autumn of 2011 the programme was extended only to July 2013, a timeframe that was too short to appeal to many TV shows.

The extension is designed to stop TV shows and films from relocating from California to other US states. In 2011 nearly a dozen different pilots headed to New York, attracted by the state’s more generous and longer-term filming incentives.

The California incentive programme, since its passage in 2009, has lived up to its promise.

Bryan Unger, Directors Guild of America

Bryan Unger is Associate National Executive Director of the Directors Guild of America (DGA): “The California incentive programme, since its passage in 2009, has lived up to its promise.

“California-based DGA members have been among the direct beneficiaries of the thousands of jobs created by this programme, enabling them to work in the state, remain close to their families and, in turn, support local businesses and local economies.”

Supporters of the extension have had to stress that the incentive supports below-the-line crew and isn’t a giveaway to millionaire producers and film stars. The programme has so far passed the state Assembly Arts and Entertainment Committee and faces a few more legislative hurdles before being signed into law by the Governor.