Written by on May 14, 2014. Posted in Incentive News

California mayors back filming incentive boost

The mayors of ten separate California cities have signed a letter calling for a boost to the state’s filming incentive programme. In the letter, the mayors lament the massive decline in big-budget feature and TV drama production in California and say the incentive has generated USD4.5 billion for the state since 2009.

“Simply stated, the demand for film and television productions that want to remain in California far exceeds the resources available within the state’s current production incentive programme,” the mayors write.

“According to data from the California Film Commission, less than one in every ten projects received California’s incentive in 2013 - 380 film and television projects applied and only 34 projects are set to receive credits. Extending California’s film and television production tax credit programme is a smart, prudent investment in California’s future and economic competitiveness.”

California currently offers a base filming incentive of 20% with an annual film fund of USD100 million, but the programme does not support TV drama or productions with budgets above USD75 million. As a result, there has been an ongoing production exodus to cities like New York and New Orleans.

Extending California’s film and television production tax credit programme is a smart, prudent investment in California’s future and economic competitiveness.

Mayors of California

Filming incentive proponents are currently pushing for a big boost to the programme. Yesterday, new legislation was approved by the California Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee, but further hurdles remain and the Governor of California is not a fan of the programme.

Earlier this month, a report from the California Legislative Analyst’s Office urged caution over any filming incentive expansion plans, warning authorities to carefully consider the costs involved.