Director Jesse Peretz has joined RSA Films for exclusive representation in the U.S. and U.K. A Grammy and MTV Music Video Award winner, Peretz is well known for his extensive music video work as well as spots and features.
Peretz began his directing career when, as bassist for the group The Lemonheads, his band mates asked him to direct their first video. Since then, he has gone on to helm more than 50 music clips for such artists as the Foo Fighters, The Breeders and Teenage Fanclub. His “Learn to Fly” for the Foo Fighters won a Grammy in 2002 for best short form music video and earned him an MTV Music Video Award nomination as best director. He also won an MTV Music Video Award for best group video on the strength of the Foo Fighters’ “Big Me”.
It was this early MTV-styled work (which also included his “Jimmy the Cab Driver” spots for MTV and a Mentos spoof for a Foo Fighters music video) that got him on the radar in the commercial world. Peretz has directed quirky comedy spots for Dentyne, Subway, H+R Block, Ikea, Sony PlayStation, Barq’s Root Beer, Holiday Inn, Old Navy and Verizon, among other clients. His former commercialmaking home was Crossroads Films.
Peretz’s first Hollywood studio feature film, the Weinstein Company’s The Ex, is slated for release in mid-May. The romantic comedy stars Zach Braff, Amanda Peet, Jason Bateman and Charles Grodin. Peretz has also directed two other features, The Chateau and First Love, Last Rites. He is currently in development on his fourth feature film project, It Is What It Is with Sony Picture Classics and Anthony Bregman’s company Likely Story.
Gov. Newsom Proposes Expansion Of California’s Tax Credit Program For Film and TV Production
Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed expanding California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program from the current $330 million annual allocation to $750 million annually. The massive increase to the program, which is administered by the California Film Commission (CFC), would allow California to outpace other states offering tax credits, luring more entertainment industry projects back to the Golden State.
“California is the entertainment capital of the world, rooted in decades of creativity, innovation and unparalleled talent,” Governor Newsom said. “Expanding this program will help keep production here at home, generate thousands of good paying jobs, and strengthen the vital link between our communities and the state’s iconic film and TV industry.”
“California needs to keep pace with competing states and nations in providing aggressive tax incentives,” said Colleen Bell, director of the California Film Commission. “The Governor’s bold plan will accelerate these efforts and assure California remains the production center of the entertainment industry.”
The economic value of increased production pays dividends on different fronts:
--A study of the tax credit program found that, for every tax credit dollar approved, it generated and created at least $24.40 in output, $16.14 in GDP, $8.60 in wages, and $1.07 in initial state and local tax revenue resulting from production in the state.
--Since its inception in 2009, California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program has generated over $26 billion in economic activity and supported more than 197,000 cast and crew jobs across the state.
According to Bell, the program has been oversubscribed year after year, with more productions applying than can be... Read More