Film Workers to Rally in Support of Doubling California Tax Incentive
Support Grows for Restoring Lost Production Jobs in California
With the film and TV industry facing a content slowdown, over 1,500 workers are gearing up to rally in Los Angeles this weekend to advocate for the restoration of lost production jobs. The push comes amid a significant decline in production jobs not only in California but also in other major production centers across the nation.
Union and business leaders are championing for legislation that would more than double the California production tax incentive, as well as expand the program to cover a wider range of projects, including sitcoms and animation. Governor Gavin Newsom had initially proposed increasing the incentive from $330 million to $750 million back in October, but the bill is still pending approval from the Legislature.
Wes Bailey, CEO of SirReel Studio Services, emphasized the importance of keeping pressure on politicians to see the legislation through to the end. The rally, hosted by SirReel Studio Services, is set to take place in Sun Valley on Sunday afternoon.
California, being the largest production hub in the nation, has been hit hard by the industry’s downturn. The California Production Coalition, along with other advocacy groups like California United and Keep California Rolling, are urging lawmakers to take action to revitalize the industry. The devastating fires in January prompted the formation of the Stay in L.A. campaign, which is calling for the removal of the cap on the film incentive for three years to aid in the industry’s recovery.
Recent revisions to SB 630 propose raising the tax incentive for L.A.-based productions from 20% to 35%, with an additional 5% for productions outside of L.A. or in economically distressed areas. Negotiations are ongoing between the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and union leaders regarding the finer details of the bill, including the eligibility criteria for the incentive.
Despite the challenges and budget constraints, lawmakers are optimistic about reaching a resolution to bolster the industry. The Entertainment Union Coalition president, Rebecca Rhine, highlighted the positive impact of the incentive in boosting tourism and creating high-paying jobs. The proposed changes aim to make California more competitive in the global production landscape.
While the road to recovery may be long, stakeholders in the industry remain hopeful that the proposed legislation will pave the way for a resurgence in production jobs in California. The ongoing negotiations reflect a collective effort to address the industry’s challenges and set the stage for a more robust future.
