The success of the California Film and Television Tax Credit in bringing production back to the state was underscored by Wednesday’s California Film Commission announcement of TV projects selected to get tax credits as part of the first fiscal year of the state’s expanded Film and Television Tax Credits.
An achievement for the program was the Fox TV series “Scream Queens,” produced by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, coming to Los Angeles for its second series after having shot its first in New Orleans. “American Horror Story,” another Murphy and Falchuk series, is staying in Los Angeles for its next season, thanks in part it its having the most tax credits of any project so far, $9.28 million.
“This has been a very successful inaugural year,” said Senate President pro tem Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), who was instrumental in negotiating the retooled tax-credit program, which expanded annual tax credits from $100 million to $330 million. It also replaced a lottery system with criteria emphasizing job creation.
“Film and TV projects selected by the program have chosen locations throughout California, boosting local economies and bringing jobs back our state – jobs that could have gone elsewhere,” he said.
Mayor Eric Garcetti, in a statement Wednesday, commended the film and television tax credit program for, “delivering results for the heart and soul of the industry.”
“The inaugural year of this tax credit proves that production is alive and well here in Los Angeles,” said Garcetti. “It will generate an estimated $1.7 billion in direct in-state spending, including $659 million in below-the-line wages. I fought hard to ensure that L.A. remains the creative capital of the world, and am proud that our city is home to the best in entertainment.”
In addition to “Scream Queens” and “American Horror Story,” other projects announced Wednesday as part of the third and final round of tax credits include three pilots (“Bunker Hill,” “Citizen” and “Four Stars”), HBO series “Westworld” and three new series (“Good Girls Revolt,” “Shooter” and “I’m Dying Up Here”).
Based on data provided with each application, the nine approved projects announced today will generate an estimated $313 million in direct in-state spending, including $121 million in wages to below-the-line crew members.
