Animated productions are emerging as a force in California’s film and TV tax credit program.
Four animated titles from Disney, DreamWorks and Pixar nabbed $71.6 million to shoot in the state, the California Film Commission announced on Tuesday. The figure accounts for more than 38 percent of the estimated $186.6 million handed out to 41 new movies selected to receive tax credits. Collectively, they’ll spend roughly $204.7 million and hire 1,977 cast and crewmembers.
This round of incentives marks one year since major changes to the program spurred by a plunge in shooting levels were implemented. It appears Los Angeles is starting to see the impact of the expansion, with production in the region trending upward. Among the changes: expanding the eligible categories of production to include animation.
The overhaul may prove to be a boon for DreamWorks, which was selected to receive $19 million for Shrek prequel Donkey. It also got $7.8 million for a second untitled film.
If not for the subsidy, production for Donkey may not have been based in the state, DreamWorks COO Randy Lake said. “The California Film Commission’s tax credit is a game changer, allowing DreamWorks Animation to keep production on two of our most valuable franchises in California,” Lake explained.
