News
October 13, 2015
Weekly Update from Kelly Graham-Scherer, Los Angeles Representative: October 9, 2015
Happy Friday everyone,
The expansion of California's film and television tax credits has had a measurable impact on television production in Los Angeles. As reported in Deadline this week, industry advocacy group FilmLA released third quarter stats that show on-location TV shoot days in LA hitting a five-year high.
http://deadline.com/2015/10/los-angeles-production-rises-third-quarter-tax-credits-1201568228/
But all is not rosy across the screen-based industries in Los Angeles. As reported by the LA Times below, members of SAG-AFTRA have voted overwhelmingly to give their leaders authority to call a strike on behalf of actors who work in the video game industry.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-video-games-actors-20151007-story.html
There has been a rush to cash in Louisiana film and television tax credits before the $180 million annual cap on them comes into play July 1st. As reported in the Greater Baton Rogue Business Report below, higher than expected tax credit and refund filings in Louisiana are contributing to an expanded state deficit.
https://www.businessreport.com/article/louisiana-tax-credit-usage-helped-cause-last-years-expected-deficit
The L.A. Times had an interesting article this week about the increased usage of drones for on-location filming in the US. As detailed below, a year after the Federal Aviation Administration cleared the way for their use by the film and television industry, unmanned aircraft systems are becoming popular tools for directors and cinematographers.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-drones-hollywood-20151008-story.html
Finally this week, it is with a heavy heart that I direct your attention to Playback's recent interview with outgoing Ontario Film Commissioner Donna Zuchlinski, who is on the last day of her job today.
I have worked in and around the Ontario screen-based industries for 20 years now, but it wasn't until six years ago when I started in this position that I realized just how much Donna has contributed to the sector. For 26 years she has worked tirelessly, with intelligence, wit and good humor, to create opportunity for every one of us with a stake in the industry.
She is beloved by her staff and highly respected by every LA-based film and television executive I have encountered.
Her conduct, her work ethic and her heart have been a huge inspiration to me on many levels and I will miss her tremendously.
Thank you Donna - enjoy every minute of your well-earned retirement.
http://playbackonline.ca/2015/10/08/zuchlinski-on-career-wins-challenges-and-a-changing-industry/
You'll find the full text for the linked articles below my signature. Please feel free to distribute this e-mail widely and to get in touch with comments or links for inclusion.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone - I'll be thinking of all my friends and family in Ontario this weekend.
Warmest regards,
Kelly