05 October 2011

LA Filming Rises 15.4 Percent in Third Quarter of 2011

LA Filming Rises 15.4 Percent in Third Quarter of 2011

Due in part to a California tax credit program, on-location filming in the Los Angeles area saw a 15.4 percent increase in the third quarter of 2011, according to a report released by FilmL.A.

Eight feature projects that qualified for the California Film & Television Tax Credit program were shot in this quarter, resulting in 260 additional permitted production days. Included in the eight productions is 2012's “Argo,” directed by Ben Affleck, the romantic comedy, “Think Like a Man,” and thriller “Breaking the Girl.”

The tax credit program was initiated by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009 in an effort to trigger in-state film and television production growth. Gov. Jerry Brown approved a one-year extension to the film tax credits in September.

“Since the program began in 2009, of all the projects we’ve allocated credits to, [projects] are estimated to spend $2.8 billion in direct production spending in California,” said Amy Lemisch, executive director of the California Film Commission. “Of that number, $1 billion is for wages for film crews.”

“FilmL.A.’s statistics are a very good indicator that the program is working and that is does have an immediate effect on increasing the level of production in California,” Lemisch said.

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