Authorities in Texas have tripled the size of their location filming incentive fund, broadening the state’s production appeal. The move means Texas will offer USD95 million for the next two years, a massive increase on the USD32 million that was allocated in 2011.
California lost most of this summer’s biggest movies to locations with better filming incentives. While Iron Man 3 filmed mostly in North Carolina and White House Down shot in Montreal, Star Trek Into Darkness was the only major summer feature to shoot extensively in California.
Michigan is likely to keep its location filming fund at USD50 million for the next year. The northern-US state is hosting several high-profile productions in 2013, including Michael Bay’s Transformers 4 and Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut How to Catch a Monster.
A report from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) shows the success of filming incentives in Massachusetts. For every dollar issued in tax credits, the state made ten back in 2011 and films like The Fighter have increased production employment by nearly 50% since 2006.
New Zealand’s production industry has called for better TV filming incentives. The available rebate for television shows like Spartacus is worth only half the feature film figure, while series that don’t have enough New Zealand content must spend NZD15 million to qualify for support.
South Carolina has improved its location filming incentives and made them permanent, rather than having to renew each year. An existing rebate on local wages has been increased to 25%, with an additional 5% available for South Carolina locals hired.
Actor Nicolas Cage has testified to lawmakers to support a formal location filming incentive that’s being considered for Nevada in the south-west US. The state does not currently offer any filming incentives, but a bill has been proposed that would introduce a 20% filming tax credit.
Georgia’s generous filming incentives were a crucial element of Pinewood Studios’ decision to invest in the state. The studio has bought a 40% stake in Pinewood Atlanta through a joint venture agreement with River’s Rock LLC.