Latest news with #filmproduction
The Guardian
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
California legislature acts to keep film and TV production at home
Hollywood's home state of California will more than double annual tax incentives for film and television production to $750m under a measure passed by the Democratic-led legislature on Friday. The increase from the current $330m was approved as part of a broader tax bill that is expected to be signed into law by California's governor, Gavin Newsom. Newsom has advocated for the boost, a step to help reverse a years-long exodus of production from California to places such as Britain, Canada and other US states that offer generous tax credits and rebates. Producers, directors, actors and crew members have warned lawmakers that Hollywood was at risk of becoming the next Detroit, the former automaking capital devastated by overseas competition. Permitting data showed production in Los Angeles, the location of major studios including Walt Disney and Netflix, fell to the second-lowest level on record in 2024. California has lost more than 17,000 jobs since 2022 from its declining share of the entertainment industry, according to union estimates. Producer Uri Singer said he shot three films in New York to take advantage of its tax incentives. He received a California tax credit to shoot his current project, a horror flick called Corporate Retreat, in Los Angeles. 'You can get such good cast and crew that are available that makes shooting in LA financially better,' he said. 'Besides that, creatively you find here anyone you want, and if you need another crane, within an hour you have a crane.' Plus, 'the crew is happy because they go home every day,' Singer added. 'The Entertainment Union Coalition applauds today's announcement,' said Rebecca Rhine, the president of a coalition of unions and guilds that represent writers, musicians, directors and other film professionals, in a statement. 'The expanded funding of our program is an important reminder of the strength and resiliency of our members, the power of our broad-based union and guild coalition, and the role our industry plays in supporting our state's economy.' 'It's now time to get people back to work and bring production home to California,' Rhine added. 'We call on the studios to recommit to the communities and workers across the state that built this industry and built their companies.' Local advocates applauded California's expansion of tax incentives, though they said more needs to be done. Writer Alexandra Pechman, an organizer of a Stay in LA campaign by Hollywood workers, called on traditional studios and expanding internet platforms to commit to a specific amount of spending in California to support creative workers. 'It's time for the studios and streamers to do their part to turn this win into real change for all of us,' Pechman said. Industry supporters also are pushing for federal tax incentives to keep filming in the United States. Donald Trump claimed in May that he had authorized government agencies to impose a 100% tariff on movies produced overseas. The movie tariff has not been implemented.
Reuters
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Reuters
California legislature acts to keep film and TV production at home
June 27 (Reuters) - Hollywood's home state of California will more than double annual tax incentives for film and television production to $750 million under a measure passed by the Democratic-led legislature on Friday. The increase from the current $330 million was approved as part of a broader tax bill that is expected to be signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in the coming days. Democrat Newsom had advocated for the boost, a step to help reverse a years-long exodus of production from California to places such as Britain, Canada and other U.S. states that offer generous tax credits and rebates. Producers, directors, actors and behind-the-scenes workers have warned lawmakers that Hollywood was at risk of becoming the next Detroit, the automaking capital devastated by overseas competition, if current trends continued. Permitting data showed production in Los Angeles, the location of major studios including Walt Disney (DIS.N), opens new tab and Netflix (NFLX.O), opens new tab, fell to the second-lowest level on record in 2024. California has lost more than 17,000 jobs since 2022 from its declining share of the entertainment industry, according to union estimates. Producer Uri Singer said he shot three films in New York to take advantage of its tax incentives. He received a California tax credit to shoot his current project, a horror flick called "Corporate Retreat," in Los Angeles. "You can get such good cast and crew that are available that makes shooting in L.A. financially better," he said. "Besides that, creatively you find here anyone you want, and if you need another crane, within an hour you have a crane." Plus, "the crew is happy because they go home every day," Singer added. Local advocates applauded California's expansion of tax incentives, though they said more needs to be done. Writer Alexandra Pechman, an organzier of a "Stay in LA" campaign by Hollywood workers, called on Hollywood studios to commit to a specific amount of spending in California to support creative workers. "It's time for the studios and streamers to do their part to turn this win into real change for all of us," Pechman said. Industry supporters also are pushing for federal tax incentives to keep filming in the United States. Republican President Donald Trump has offered a different way to address the issue. Trump said in May that he had authorized government agencies to impose a 100% tariff on movies produced overseas. The movie tariff has not been implemented.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
California legislature acts to keep film and TV production at home
By Lisa Richwine (Reuters) -Hollywood's home state of California will more than double annual tax incentives for film and television production to $750 million under a measure passed by the Democratic-led legislature on Friday. The increase from the current $330 million was approved as part of a broader tax bill that is expected to be signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in the coming days. Democrat Newsom had advocated for the boost, a step to help reverse a years-long exodus of production from California to places such as Britain, Canada and other U.S. states that offer generous tax credits and rebates. Producers, directors, actors and behind-the-scenes workers have warned lawmakers that Hollywood was at risk of becoming the next Detroit, the automaking capital devastated by overseas competition, if current trends continued. Permitting data showed production in Los Angeles, the location of major studios including Walt Disney and Netflix, fell to the second-lowest level on record in 2024. California has lost more than 17,000 jobs since 2022 from its declining share of the entertainment industry, according to union estimates. Producer Uri Singer said he shot three films in New York to take advantage of its tax incentives. He received a California tax credit to shoot his current project, a horror flick called "Corporate Retreat," in Los Angeles. "You can get such good cast and crew that are available that makes shooting in L.A. financially better," he said. "Besides that, creatively you find here anyone you want, and if you need another crane, within an hour you have a crane." Plus, "the crew is happy because they go home every day," Singer added. Local advocates applauded California's expansion of tax incentives, though they said more needs to be done. Writer Alexandra Pechman, an organzier of a "Stay in LA" campaign by Hollywood workers, called on Hollywood studios to commit to a specific amount of spending in California to support creative workers. "It's time for the studios and streamers to do their part to turn this win into real change for all of us," Pechman said. Industry supporters also are pushing for federal tax incentives to keep filming in the United States. Republican President Donald Trump has offered a different way to address the issue. Trump said in May that he had authorized government agencies to impose a 100% tariff on movies produced overseas. The movie tariff has not been implemented. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Wall Street Journal
11 hours ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
California Expands Film and TV Tax Credits to Lure Production Back to Hollywood
California state lawmakers approved an expanded $750 million tax credit program to bring film and TV production back to Los Angeles. The legislators voted Friday to increase the tax credits up from the $330 million currently available. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had proposed expanding the incentive program, is expected to sign it into law.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
West Midlands students' short films get red carpet premiere show
Aspiring young screenwriters across the West Midlands took part in a project aimed at giving students a "hands-on" experience in film students from Wolverhampton, Walsall and Solihull created short films that were showcased at a red carpet premiere event at Millennium Point on Tuesday. The students took part in a screenwriting masterclass before taking on production, filming and acting roles to produce an emotive film, a psychological thriller and a sci-fi Boughey, a City of Wolverhampton College student, said she was "thrilled" with her first assistant director role after being selected from her media course. The project also included students from Walsall Studio School and Solihull College and University Centre. "The creative sector is so important to the region because it's something everyone can get involved in – you don't need to be a genius," said Ms Boughey. "In the future, I'd love to work in the industry, whether it's in live television, as a director or assistant director or a producer - as long as I get to be bossy."The project was set up BBC Studios Drama Productions and West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Careers Hub. 'Real experience for CV' BBC Studios Drama Productions produce shows such as EastEnders, Silent Witness, Father Brown, Shakespeare & Hathaway, Casualty and Pobol y Spruce, curriculum manager at the college, added: "We were delighted to give students the opportunity to work on real productions alongside experienced industry professionals."The project is a part of modern work experience, a pilot scheme being rolled out by The Careers & Enterprise Company, the national body for careers Kendall, student at Walsall Studio School, said the project provided her with real experience to put on her CV."Getting involved has made me think about my career in a different way - I was thinking of being a director but this project helped me learn about other job roles in the creative side of film production", she said. Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker, visited Millennium Point to watch the films and congratulate spoke of the importance of young people taking part in "practical and useful work experience"."The work of these aspiring young screenwriters is truly inspirational," Parker said. "This course's innovative approach to work experience gives young people a real-world taste of what it is like to work in the creative sector."This is how we can equip them with the skills and insight they need to secure meaningful work and enjoy fulfilling careers." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
