New Zealand may lose location filming for James Cameron’s Avatar sequels if its filming incentive programme is not improved. Cameron is planning three back-to-back sequels, but with a production budget reportedly approaching a billion dollars, he is looking for a generous tax incentive.
North Carolina’s production industry is fighting to have the state’s filming incentive programme extended beyond the end of 2014. The region is a thriving production hub, but conservative politicians are spearheading a move to direct the incentive funds to other parts of the economy.
Los Angeles is set to waive city fees for TV drama pilots filming locally. The resolution has been co-authored by recently-elected Mayor Eric Garcetti in a bid to reverse the city’s runaway production trend.
Ireland has expanded its generous filming incentive package to cover salaries from talent originating outside the European Union (EU), which will include US star salaries. The move will help the country compete with the UK and could help attract more productions like Vikings.
Two Los Angeles politicians have pledged to push for better California filming incentives with a new bill in 2014. Assemblyman Mike Gatto and Senator Kevin de León, both Democrats, say they will introduce a bill that will aim to curb California’s runaway production problem.
Employment in Virginia’s production industry has grown since the eastern-US state enhanced its location filming incentive in 2010. Eleven productions including Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln got a total of USD12 million in incentive payments and spent more than five times that figure locally.
A so-called ‘film czar’ has been appointed by Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles. Tom Sherak has the challenging role of boosting the production industry in the city and also throughout California, and a key element of his job will be campaigning for improved filming incentives.
A producer of HBO’s hit drama Boardwalk Empire has praised New York’s filming incentive programme and stated that without it the show would be filming elsewhere. The Prohibition-era gangster series has filmed four seasons and this weekend won five Emmys.