As reflected in this week’s lead story, New York has passed a major financial incentives package to promote filming of commercials in the state. The measure represents not only a victory for New York but for the spotmaking community at large.
Also on this week’s front page, a slight decrease in on-location shoot days for commercials has been reported in Los Angeles for the first quarter of 2006 as compared to the same three-month span in ’05. As reported, the overall results–spanning features, TV and commercials–have been cause for some concern as evidenced in the remarks of Steve Macdonald, president/CEO of FilmL.A., which oversees the joint Los Angeles City/County Film Office.
MacDonald noted that Los Angeles’ overall production days are up four-plus percent for the first quarter of ’06 when stacked up against ’05; however, that is due to a dramatic nearly 128 percent increase in reality TV production, which rose to 1,942 days, compared to 856 days during the first quarter of ’05. (TV dramas increased 6.8 percent, but sitcom location production dropped 65 percent. Feature films, though, were up nearly nine percent.)
“The big jump in the reality sector, which tends to have lower budgets and less of an economic impact helped to shore up our [production day] numbers,” said MacDonald. “While the figures might suggest that L.A. is holding its own, a look at other jurisdictions provides a different perspective. MacDonald cited record production-day increases reported by New York City, for example.
FilmL.A. also referenced figures compiled by the California Film Commission regarding other states, such as Illinois seeing its production spending jump 198 percent from ’03 to ’04 and then 28 percent from ’04 to ’05, and New Mexico reporting a whopping 348 percent rise in production spending between ’04 and ’05.
“The production landscape is expanding both in the U.S. and internationally, and these dramatic growth figures prompt important questions, such as how many jobs and how much revenue is Los Angeles losing to other regions? asked MacDonald. “When you take into account that other regions are just beginning to develop a talent pool and long-term infrastructure, L.A.’s modest growth is not encouraging.”
And indeed, the competition just from within the U.S. is continually escalating. In the “Meet the Commish” column below, Michigan Film Office director Janet Lockwood noted that she hopes to get a beefed-up incentives program off the ground. During the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) Locations Show last month, assorted states reported having financial perks in the offing to stimulate filming, including commercials.
At press time, SHOOT heard of likely incentives emerging in Hawaii, Connecticut and Wisconsin. In the latter state, Gov. Jim Doyle is expected to sign an incentive measure into law next month. The Film Wisconsin incentive legislation passed the State Assembly on a voice vote last week. Earlier the Senate voted in favor of the lensing-friendly package.
Such initiatives provide more than tangible financial benefits, related George Tzougros, executive director of the Wisconsin Arts Board and a member of the Film Wisconsin volunteer organization’s task force. Tzougros said simply, “The state legislature sent a loud and clear message to the worldwide film, television and video industry–Wisconsin wants your business.”
Nominees Unveiled For Cinema Audio Society’s 61st Annual Awards
The Cinema Audio Society has unveiled its nominees in seven categories for the 61st Annual CAS Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing 2024.
The 61st CAS Awards will be held on Saturday, February 22, at the Beverly Hilton.
Nominated in the live action motion picture category were the audio teams behind A Complete Unknown, Deadpool & Wolverine, Dune: Part Two, Gladiator II and Wicked.
Animated motion picture nominees were the sound ensembles behind Inside Out 2, Moana 2, Mufasa: The Lion King, The Wild Robot and Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.
As previously announced, multi-award-winning sound mixer Tod A. Maitland CAS (A Complete Unknown, West Side Story, Joker), will be honored with the CAS Career Achievement Award. In addition, visionary filmmaker Denis Villeneuve (Dune: Part Two, Blade Runner 2049, Arrival) will receive the Cinema Audio Society’s Filmmaker Award.
The CAS Award nominees highlight the outstanding contributions of sound mixers, recognizing excellence in the specialized craft of sound mixing for both film and television. Each year, accomplished CAS members—who possess extensive expertise in the art and science of sound—carefully review hundreds of projects to ensure the nominees truly reflect excellence in sound mixing in Motion Picture and Television entertainment.
“2024 was a year of remarkable achievements in the sound community, with exceptional talent on display across every category,” said CAS president Peter Kurland. “The innovation and artistry of these sound mixers continue to elevate the craft, and the upcoming awards will be a celebration of the outstanding contributions made this year. Congratulations to... Read More