Authorities in California have introduced a bill designed to boost the state’s formal filming incentive programme. Production professionals are looking to extend the incentives for another five years and expand the existing USD100 million annual film fund.
Markenfilm Crossing GmbH recruited star couple Joshua Jackson and Diane Kruger for a road trip through the heat of Death Valley in eastern California. Confiscating their bottled water, the pair was challenged to rely on the drinkable water vapour emissions of the Mercedes’ F-Cell electric vehicle.
Production professionals in California are preparing legislation that they hope will lead to a boost in the state’s filming incentive programme. The aim is to increase the annual film fund well above the current USD100 million and expand support to big-budget feature productions.
Hit US sitcom Modern Family will film in Queensland and Sydney for a special holiday episode in Australia. The Los Angeles-based show is one of the top-rated comedies in the US and producers will film scenes at iconic spots like the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The Location Managers Guild of America (LMGA) has announced a nominations shortlist for its inaugural awards event. On 29 March 2014 the ceremony will take place at the Writers Guild Theatre in Beverly Hills, with The Location Guide as a partner.
Biscuit Filmworks has taken the top spot for the most awarded commercial production company in the world for the first time in The Gunn Report 2013. The report also lists categories including the most awarded directors and agencies.
Ken Ziffren has been appointed the new ‘film czar’ for Los Angeles, faced with the task of boosting location filming in the city. Ziffren is an experienced entertainment attorney and succeeds Tom Sherak, who tragically died of cancer in January after only a few months in the role.
New Fox TV drama Gotham will explore the early career of James Gordon, the detective who eventually helps Batman with his fight against Gotham City’s super-villains. Filming locations for the series will need to offer tax incentives and film-friendly production infrastructure.