While SHOOT has chronicled the filming incentives push in assorted states throughout the country over the past several years–and California’s inability to follow suit–somewhat lost in the argument for an anti-runaway production measure in the Golden State is the need to change public and legislator perceptions on one key front.
That front came to the fore during last month’s public hearing of the State Assembly Select Committee on the Preservation of California’s Entertainment Industry. At that session committee chair and Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank) said that a number of state legislators believe that financial incentives for the filming industry shouldn’t be a priority when funding for education, health care and other services is hard to come by. But, he asserted, the fact is that the lack of anti-runaway production legislation is forcing good paying, working middle class jobs out of the state. And the tax revenue that would be generated by keeping those jobs in California could go a long way towards helping to bankroll progressive education and social service programs.
“How many more services could we provide today if we had taken the proper action [to retain the filming business] a decade ago?” Krekorian asked. “We’d be creating new money to spend on those needs,” concurred committee member and Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-Pasadena), who observed that media coverage of filming incentives is skewed, promoting the misnomer that such measures amount to financial backing for big name celebs and entertainment “moguls.” Portantino and fellow committee member, Assemblyman Cameron Smyth (R-Santa Clarita), related that the true beneficiaries of filming incentives would be the middle class workers whose livelihoods are in and/or related to this industry.
In her testimony before the Select Committee, Amy Lemisch, executive director of the California Film Commission, cited a Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. (LAEDC) report that provided a handle on tax revenues generated by filming. For example a feature film with a budget of $70 million translates into nearly $10.6 million in state taxes. A commercial spending $560,000 would generate $47,000 in state taxes. And keep in mind that these are underestimates–state unemployment and disability taxes as well as state taxes on any corporate profits are not included. The productions described also generate substantial tax revenues for city and county governments, including sales tax, business license fees, utilities and parking taxes, permit fees and hotel taxes.
David Phelps, director of external relations for the AICP, testified that the commercial production industry has an annual economic impact of some $4.5 billion. And according to the LAEDC, commercialmaking generated roughly $83 million last year in California sales and income taxes alone.
Phelps added that there’s a misconception that a big chunk of spot production would be shot in California anyway. The reality in this bottom-line business, he said, is that “every job is up for grabs” when it comes to where to film. This, observed Phelps, has been recognized by some 34 states that have enacted production incentive measures, most of which encompass commercials.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” and “Sonic 3” Rule Box Office For 1st Weekend Of 2025
The Walt Disney Co.'s "Mufasa: The Lion King" claimed the No. 1 spot on the North American box office charts over the first weekend of 2025.
The photorealistic "Lion King" prequel earned $23.8 million in its third weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. Paramount's "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," which has dominated the past two weekends, wasn't far behind.
"Sonic 3" stayed close with a 3-day estimate of $21.2 million, bringing its total domestic earnings to $187.5 million and helping the overall franchise cross $1 billion worldwide. "Mufasa's" running total is slightly less, with $169.2 million.
In third place, Focus Features' "Nosferatu" remake defied the fate of so many of its genre predecessors and fell only 39% in its second weekend. Horror films typically fall sharply after the first weekend and anything less than a 50% decline is notable. "Nosferatu," which added 140 screens, claimed $13.2 million in ticket sales, bringing its running total to $69.4 million since its Christmas debut. The film, directed by Robert Eggers, already surpassed its reported production budget of $50 million, though that figure does not account for marketing and promotion expenses).
No new wide releases opened this weekend, leaving the box office top 10 once again to holdovers from previous weeks. Several have been in theaters since Thanksgiving. One of those, "Moana 2," claimed the No. 4 spot for Disney in its sixth weekend in theaters. The animated sequel earned another $12.4 million, bumping its global total to $960.5 million.
The Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown," dipped only slightly in its second weekend, bringing in $8.1 million. With $41.7 million total, it's Searchlight's highest grossing film since Disney acquired the company in... Read More