Written by on Jun 30, 2011. Posted in Incentive News

California seizes on good-news filming report after New York steals pilot season

New York City may be more popular for TV in the upcoming pilot season, but a new report suggests California's tax credit scheme is successful. The figures, announced from the set of TV show Body of Proof, were collated by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC).

The state has benefitted to the tune of almost USD4 billion since the California Film and Television Tax Credit Programme was launched in 2009, and over 20,000 jobs have been created. Body of Proof has been highlighted as a major success story for the state as the show has moved to California from Rhode Island and is expected to spend more than USD40 million over the next year of production.

We must never allow the day to come when we look up at the Hollywood sign on the hill and realize that Hollywood is no longer here.

Paul Krekorian, Los Angeles Councilman

Paul Krekorian, a Los Angeles Councilman, said: “We must be willing to fight to keep the film and television production that is such an inextricable part of our identity, our history and our economy. We must never allow the day to come when we look up at the Hollywood sign on the hill and realize that Hollywood is no longer here.”

Senator Chris Dodd, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, said: “The Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation study illustrates why 40 states around the country compete for film and television productions: because they are a proven job creator and economic stimulus.”

The Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation study illustrates why 40 states around the country compete for film and television productions: because they are a proven job creator and economic stimulus.

Senator Chris Dodd, MPAA

Dodd’s comment represents the other side of the argument that’s likely to see Michigan’s generous programme massively downsized in response to political pressure to reduce public spending. Having Body of Proof return to California has been a much-needed coup for the state, especially as New York seems to be the location of choice for producers this year. The Empire state has attracted eight different TV pilots in addition to a host of high-profile film productions.

Since the California scheme was launched it has funded 34 feature films and six new TV series. These features spent nearly USD760 million in-state and most of them had budgets ranging from USD20 million to USD40 million. Slightly less than USD4 million in economic output was generated for every USD1 million spent.