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.
Gene Hackman Died Of Heart Disease; Hantavirus Claimed His Wife’s Life About One Week Prior
Actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a full week after his wife died from hantavirus in their New Mexico hillside home, likely unaware that she was dead because he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, authorities revealed Friday. Both deaths were ruled to be from natural causes, chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said alongside state fire and health officials at a news conference. "Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer's disease," Jarrell said. "He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that's what resulted in his death." Authorities didn't suspect foul play after the bodies of Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 65, were discovered Feb 26. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative. Investigators found that the last known communication and activity from Arakawa was Feb. 11 when she visited a pharmacy, pet store and grocery before returning to their gated neighborhood that afternoon, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday. Hackman's pacemaker last showed signs of activity a week later and that he had an abnormal heart rhythm Feb. 18, the day he likely died, Jarrell said. Although there was no reliable way to determine the date and time when both died, all signs point to their deaths coming a week apart, Jarrell said. "It's quite possible he was not aware she was deceased," Jarrell said. Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, said he believes Hackman was severely impaired due to Alzheimer's disease and unable to deal with his wife's death in the last week of his life. "You are talking about very severe Alzheimer's disease that normal people would be in a nursing home or have a nurse, but she was taking care... Read More