The growth in
Los Angeles area on-location shoots has slowed down to 1%, according to new data
released by Film LA, Inc. Commercial production fell 3.4% last year, the first
decline since the SAG-AFTRA strike of 2000. Feature film production fell by a
dramatic 7.4%.
Competition
from other regions offering incentive packages has driven away productions from
the LA region.
“We may
look back on 2006 as a turning point given it was the year when 16 of the 28
states that currently offer financial incentives either enacted them for
the first time or significantly sweetened what they have to offer,” says
Steve MacDonald, president of Film LA.
While production in LA is slowing down, the City of
New York is experiencing record
growth in the industry, according to the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and
Broadcasting. The office reported that the number of production days shot on
public property rose to 34,718 last year, an increase of 10%. The office credits
its “Made in NY” http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/incentives/made_ny_incentive.shtml
incentive program for playing a part in the increase.
“Just a few years ago, we were seeing films about
New York being shot in other
cities and countries,” said Katherine Oliver, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office
of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting. “Now, the ‘Made in NY’ program has created
thousands of new jobs by bringing $2.4 billion in business to
New York over the past two
years.”
New Arizona state tax incentives
include an exemption from sales tax and a tax rebate of up to 20%. Production companies are excused from
paying state sales tax on all production-related costs. In addition, productions
that spend more than $250,000 a year in Arizona receive rebates on all related costs,
including salaries to Arizona crew and talent. For more information
see www.FilmTucson.com.
