Commercialmakers can only wonder what might have been if spots had been deemed eligible for the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program which was part of last year’s state budget agreement. Clearly, the feature film and TV productions that qualified for the program prove that incentives have benefited these projects as well as the state’s economy.
In its first year, the program–administered by the California Film Commission (CFC)–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 CFC. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Calif.) said that the incentive initiative has created and retained tens of thousands of jobs while generating spending in the Golden State.
The CFC reported 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 TV production in California. The program authorizes the CFC 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 postproduction, and the tax credits do not become effective before January 1, 2011.
“The enormous interest in our tax credit program,” said Amy Lemisch, executive director of the CFC, “shows that a targeted incentive can keep tens of thousands of high-paying jobs in California.”
Florence Adds Director Parker Schmidt To Its Roster
Boutique production company Florence has added Parker Schmidt to its directorial roster, marking his first signing for representation in the U.S. Schmidt found his way into directing from his background as a competitive downhill skateboarder, where his world travels and brand relationships catalyzed a lifelong passion for film. Now behind the camera, Schmidt’s work embodies high-grade art direction, intentional craftsmanship, and lensed moments that capture the human experience.
Following his career in action sports, Schmidt was accepted to MASE Art School in Berlin, after which he began working as an art director for brands like Leica Camera, Nike, and Corona Beer. Once introduced to commercial filmmaking, his directorial style came to life, shooting ads across Europe, the United States, and the Middle East.
His body of work includes spots for Lexus, Cadillac, Porsche, Hyundai, REI, CHIMI, Aero Airlines, Apple, Free People, Sharenow, World Sports Games and The Wall Street Journal. Schmidt remains committed to pushing his artistic boundaries as a filmmaker, frequently directing creative shorts like Bowl of Life, Ascension, and the experimental short Requiem. He’s won accolades like Best Sport Film at the Santa Monica International Film Awards and Best Skateboard Film at the Mountain & Adventure Film Festival.
Schmidt said of signing with Florence, “I clicked so quickly with [company founder and EP] Jerad Anderson when we met on a project for Lexus earlier this year. The same goes for [managing director/EP] Ned Brown, who immediately showed a profound interest in getting to know me and what I aspire to achieve. The creative alignment of the stars was set in motion to build trust and... Read More