NEWS
Posted 30 July, 2010 in CA News
Courtesy of FilmLA:
Earlier this month, we released our second quarterly production report for 2010, showing a 16 percent increase in local days of permitted on-location production. Driven by production gains in local feature film, commercial, and reality television, a total of 11,134 permitted production days (PPD) were logged between April and June of 2010, compared to just 9,597 PPD for those months in 2009.
As in the prior quarter, the State of California’s Film and Television Tax Credit made an impressive difference for the Features category.
On-location Feature production pulled ahead 11.5 percent in the second quarter, compared to the same period the prior year (1,542 PPD in 2010 vs. 1,383 in 2009). Between April and June 2010, FilmL.A. coordinated permits for 16 state-incentivized Feature projects shooting on-location locally. These projects contributed 423 PPD to Feature category totals to make up 27 percent of the category’s overall yield.
The second quarter of 2010 also saw a surge in the production of Commercials, with year-over-year totals jumping 34.5 percent (1,604 PPD in 2010 vs. 1,193 PPD in 2009). The Commercials category has shown impressive quarterly and year-to-date (YTD) gains over 2009, however the category still trails the levels seen prior to the economic downturn.
Television production managed a second quarter gain of just 1.4 percent (4,052 PPD in 2010 vs. 3,998 PPD in 2009), with TV Dramas dropping precipitously (down 38.2 percent to 755 PPD), while TV Reality surged (up 47.6 percent to 2,016 PPD). TV Sitcoms gained 48.2 percent, and TV Pilots dropped 42.7 percent, though neither category includes very many days of permitted production.
“State and local efforts to facilitate filming continue to bolster regional film production and employment,” said FilmL.A. President Paul Audley. “Angelenos should find it reassuring to see production returning to their city, and with it, more work for their families, friends and neighbors.”
Posted 30 July, 2010 in CA News
Courtesy of the Office of the Governor
Friday, July 30, 2010
First Year of California Film & Television Tax Credit Program Succeeds in Creating and Retaining Tens of Thousands of Jobs
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced that the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program that was a part of last year’s budget agreement has achieved its desired goal of keeping scores of film and television productions in state – creating and retaining tens of thousands of jobs and generating spending in California. In its first year, the California Film Commission, which administers the Program, allocated $200 million in tax credits to 77 projects. This year, another 30 projects are set to receive an additional $100 million in tax credit allocations. Together, they are estimated to bring $2 billion in direct spending to California communities, which includes $736 million in wages paid to “below-the-line” crew members (electricians, grips, drivers, costumers, etc), according to data compiled by the Film Commission.
“This is exactly why I fought so hard for tax credits in last year’s budget. Already, the film and television incentive has led to thousands of retained jobs and increased economic activity. Just the first two years of this incentive will generate $2 billion in direct spending, with even more to come,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “It is the private sector that will bring California’s economy back, and our tax incentives are clearly helping employers along the way. That’s why it’s important that we continue to be a partner to employers and not a roadblock.”
The California Film Commission reports that the 77 first-year projects approved for tax credits will hire 18,200 crew members, 4,000 cast members, and over 100,000 background or “extra” players. These approved projects include 51 feature films, both studio and independent, seven television series and 14 made-for-television-movies.
“For three years, I’ve been trying to make RED STATE. It wasn’t until my project qualified for the tax credit program that the flick fast-tracked into reality,” said feature film Director Kevin Smith. “A film it seemed would never get made is now lensing right here in California.”
As of June 1, 2010, production companies could apply to California’s tax credit program for allocations from the program’s second year. Thirty productions have been approved for allocations which exhausts the fiscal year funding. The remaining applicants have been added to a waitlist. The 30 productions include 19 feature films, eight television series and three made-for-television-movies.
In order to spur job growth, Governor Schwarzenegger signed legislation enacting the tax credit program in 2009 as part of a targeted economic stimulus package to increase film and television production in California. The program authorizes the California Film Commission to allocate $100 million in tax credits each fiscal year (or up to $200 million in its first year of operation) to eligible productions through fiscal year 2013-14. Productions will not receive their tax credit certificates until they have completed post-production, and the tax credits do not become effective before January 1, 2011.
“The enormous interest in our tax credit program shows that a targeted incentive can keep tens of thousands of high-paying jobs in California,” said California Film Commission Executive Director Amy Lemisch. “I am thrilled with how effective this program has been.”
Posted 26 July, 2010 in CA News
Courtesy of the Entertainment Economy Institute:
SunHerald.com
Susan Meeker
June 1. 2010
Colusa officials may have given it a gentle nudge, but a newly formed Colusa Film Commission has taken on a life of its own.
City officials hoped people from all over the county would step up to form the commission – now that California is back to giving Hollywood executives a tax incentive to film in the state – but they couldn’t have asked for a better group, according to Jan McClintock, Colusa city manager.
An Emmy Award winner, a science fiction writer, local movie theater executives, a Colusa film history expert and several others have volunteered to form the Film Commission, which will be charged with attracting filmmakers to Colusa County.
“I’m really impressed,” McClintock said. “We’re fortunate to have dedicated folks willing to take this and run with it.”
Click Here for Full Article: http://www.colusa-sun-herald.com/news/officials-4878-colusa-commission.html
Posted 26 July, 2010 in CA News
Courtesy of the Entertainment Economy Institute:
Wehonews.com
May 27, 2010
West Hollywood, California (May 27, 2010) – The West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau in conjunction with the City of West Hollywood’s Film Office announced that they are launching a new marketing initiative – Film West Hollywood – designed to promote filming in the city.
By connecting location managers with West Hollywood’s venues, Film West Hollywood will make it easier and more convenient to choose West Hollywood for projects including feature length films, television series, music videos, still photography and commercials.
The centerpiece of the program is a website, www.filmwesthollywood.com, which highlights businesses interested in pursuing filming opportunities.
More than 125 businesses have already signed up, including landmark hotels on The Sunset Strip, iconic restaurants, swanky nightclubs and retail establishments.
“West Hollywood has been used as a backdrop in television and film since the early days of cinema, and this new program will help ensure the city’s A-list status among location managers and directors,” said Brad Burlingame, President & CEO of the West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau.
Click Here for Full Article: http://wehonews.com/z/wehonews/archive/page.php?articleID=4839
Posted 26 July, 2010 in CA News
Courtesy of the Entertainment Economy Institute:
By: Joshua Sabatini
Examiner Staff Writer
June 8, 2010 SAN FRANCISCO — The makeup and powers of the Film Commission will remain as is after voters rejected Proposition C.
Introduced by Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier, the City Charter amendment aimed to change how the 11 members of the Film Commission are appointed. All are appointed by the mayor, but passage would have split the appointing power so five members would be chosen by the Board of Supervisors and six by the mayor.
It also would have granted more power to the commission when it comes to its executive director. Currently, the mayor appoints that position. Under Prop. C, the commission would have been able to appointe or remove the executive director.
The measure was supported by the Board of Supervisors and opposed by Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Read more at the San Francisco Examiner: http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Proposition-C-Mayor-still-sole-decider-for-film-body-95931794.html
Posted 14 July, 2010 in CA News
Variety
7/13/10
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118021701.html?categoryId=18&cs=1
Posted 8 July, 2010 in CA News
JULY 7, 2010
Revised Expenditure Charts
The California Film Commission (CFC), which administers the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program, provides periodic program updates. The CFC is continually updating our Qualified Expenditure Charts so as to conform to the statute and provide clarity to applicants.
For productions whose Credit Allocation Letter date is prior to July 1, 2010, the following guidelines apply with respect to travel and living and payroll expenditures:
Luggage fees qualify for travel within the state only.
Travel Agency Fees incurred from a California travel agency qualify for both intrastate and out of state travel;
Payroll handling fees charged by a California payroll service qualify for labor performed in state or out of state. Payroll handling fees for non-qualified labor qualify if performed by a CA payroll service.
Insurance package costs qualify if purchased from a CA broker (excludes Errors & Omissions coverage)
After further review, the CFC is clarifying these expenditures. The following changes will be in effect beginning July 1, 2010 and apply only to productions whose Credit Allocation Letter issue date is July 1, 2010 or later.
· Luggage fees qualify for travel within the state only.
Travel Agency Fees incurred from a California travel agency qualify for intrastate travel only.
Payroll handling fees charged by a California payroll service qualify for qualified labor for work performed within the state. Payroll handling fees do not qualify for non-qualified individuals regardless of where the work is performed.
Insurance package costs qualify if purchased from a CA broker for work performed in CA (excluding E&O coverage); any out of state work days must be pro rated and deducted from the insurance package cost.
The following additions and clarifications are included in the newest iteration of the Qualified Expenditure Charts and apply to allproductions:
Account #DescriptionQualifiedComments
150-53Location PermitsYES
364-57DCP (Digital Cinema Package)NODistribution expense
470-13Bank Fees (account, wire transfers, currency exchange)NO
470-19Legal ExpensesYESDoes not include legal fees associated with financing, distribution, or marketing.
470-71Studio Charges For Specific ItemsYESAll related party transactions subject to review
470-84Work Visa FeesNO
470-85CA Sales TaxesYES
471-11Insurance deductiblesNO
The expenditure charts, along with an updated Expenditure Tracking Tips, can be found at http://www.film.ca.gov/Incentives.htm .
Tagging Expenditures
When applying for the Tax Credit Certificate, production companies are required to fill out the Expenditure Summary Report, with specific information such as your Total Expenditures on Taxable Goods and Services incurred or used in the state (the total amount of purchases and rentals including the California sales and use taxes for which the production has been charged). Unless these items are initially tagged, it will be very burdensome to extract this information from your general ledger in order to provide this information.
Below please find some suggestions you may find helpful in order to properly tag these and other expenditures that will need to be tracked:
Qualified Expenditure (non-taxable): All non-wage costs that are sales tax exempt.
Qualified Taxable: All non-wage costs for which the production has been charged sales tax (include any sales and/or use tax paid in totals).
Qualified Wage: including all labor and qualified fringes, whether employee or vendor labor in California
Not Applicable: All non-qualified wages and expenditures
Prior or Past Approval: All expenditures which were incurred prior to issuance of Credit Allocation Letter or paid more than 30 days after the creation of the final elements
Request for Tax Credit Certificate
Productions applying for their Tax Credit Certificates are requested to include paper copies for all the items required in their submission package (see Section VIII in the program Guidelines – “Process for Obtaining the Tax Credit Certificate”). Electronic versions of all requested documents should be included on a CD or USB flash drive. Please do not email documents separately unless specifically requested to do so.
**************
Please feel free to contact the California Film Commission with any questions or comments you may have regarding the California Film & Television Tax Credit program 323-860-2960 x110.
Posted 1 July, 2010 in CA News
Courtesy of FilmL.A. eNEWS:
Earlier in June, FilmL.A. and the California Film Commission co-sponsored a booth at the second annual Produced By Conference, a three-day event organized by the Producers Guild of America and billed as “an extraordinary weekend of discovery, learning and creative inspiration” for entertainment producers.
And an inspiring few days it was! Five FilmL.A. staffers spent their Saturday or Sunday on the Fox lot in Century City giving out swag and information about LocoScout and our complimentary production planning services.
We were joined by Amy Lemisch, Lisa Mosher and Nancy Stone of the California Film Commission, who were there to tell producers about the California Film and Television Tax Credit, as well as by City of Los Angeles representatives Rochelle Silsbee and Eva Bitar — of the Office of the Mayor and CAO, respectively — who offered insight into a battery of lesser-known perks (such as property use fee waivers and business tax relief) the City makes available to entertainment companies.
FilmL.A.’s presence at the event reflects our commitment to help promote the Los Angeles region as the best place to produced filmed entertainment.
“We’re grateful to the Produced By Conference organizers for providing the venue for face-time and conversation with industry decision-makers,” said FilmL.A. President Paul Audley. “We and our partners also thank all of the conference participants who stopped by our booth and shared their filmmaking experiences in Los Angeles. We look forward to doing all we can to make your future local projects a success.”
Posted 21 June, 2010 in CA News
Courtesy of Entertainment Economy Institute:
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/28/business/la-fi-ct-onlocation-20100428
Posted 21 June, 2010 in CA News
Courtesy of EP Incentive Solutions (May 21, 2010):
Newly adopted amendments to the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program include the following changes: (1) reclassify “independent films” as “feature films” when the budget of “qualified” expenditures exceeds $10 million (previously, the reclassification occurred if the total budget exceeds $10 million), and (2) exclude “animated production” from the definition of “Qualified Motion Picture” (an animated production that is issued a credit allocation letter in compliance with emergency regulations will continue to be eligible for the credits allocated).
« Previous
|
