News
June 6, 2014
Weekly Update from Film Ontario, June 6, 2014
WEEKLY UPDATE June 6, 2014
from Kelly Graham-Scherer, Los Angeles Representative
Happy Friday everyone,
What could very well be a big story for Ontario originated in Quebec this week as the provincial government introduced a budget that will reduce Quebec's film and television tax credits by 20%. As detailed by the CBC below, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre has criticized the move.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/denis-coderre-questions-tax-credit-reductions-in-film-multimedia-1.2665466
The anticipation has become palpable in Los Angeles as decisions regarding the expansion of California's film and television tax credits are expected in the next few weeks. As reported in the Los Angeles Times below, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti made a trip to state capital Sacramento this week to garner support for the proposed bill.
http://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-garcetti-capitol-visit-20140605-story.html
While in Sacramento Mayor Garcetti will be armed with the latest news from California's Film Commission which clearly illustrates the demand for an expanded program. As detailed in the Los Angeles Times this week, a record 497 tax credit applications - 117 more than last year - were received this week, but only 23 were initially selected before funds were exhausted.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-film-tax-credits-20140602-story.html
The migration of production from California to states across the country has been a boon for some unions. Deadline this week took an in-depth look at how generous incentives in states like Georgia and Louisiana have swelled the ranks of membership in film and television union locals.
http://www.deadline.com/2014/05/hollywood-runaway-production-tax-credits-georgia-louisiana-iatse/
And now for something completely different...the Times had an interesting article this week about the possibility of using drones in the film and television industry. As reported below, the Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that it would consider a request by several companies to use drones for filming movies and TV shows.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-hollywood-dones-20140602-story.html
And finally this week, the U.K. continues to solidify its place as a VFX powerhouse. The Hollywood Reporter this week quotes Warner Bros. Entertainment U.K., Ireland and Spain president Josh Berger explaining how Warner's Harry Potter franchise contributed to the special effects boom in Britain and how government tax incentives continue to attract film and TV production.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-executive-uk-vfx-709223