California lawmakers are moving to increase the payout to subsidized film and TV productions in the Los Angeles area to 35%, while expanding the range of productions that qualify.
The current program provides a credit of 20% or 25% to live-action films and scripted TV shows. Under legislative language submitted on Tuesday night, eligibility would be expanded to animated films and TV shows, sitcoms and "large-scale" competition shows. Gov. Gavin Newsom promised last fall to increase the program from $330 million per year to $750 million, as the state's production workforce struggles with a severe downturn.
A bill, SB 630, was introduced last month to implement the increase. The Motion Picture Association has also argued that the program needs to become more generous on a per-project basis in order to compete with other states.
California's two largest competitors - Georgia and New York - offer 30% rebates, and include among eligible costs the "above the line" salaries of actors, directors, producers and writers.
Lawmakers introduced an amended version of SB 630 on Tuesday, which would increase the rebate to 35% for wages and other expenses incurred within the Los Angeles zone. The zone includes anything within a 30-mile radius of Beverly and La Cienega boulevards (the historic home of the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers), as well as certain other locations like Castaic, Pomona and the Ontario airport.
Comments
Post a Comment