The expansion to California’s film and TV tax credit program hasn’t notably curbed lethargic production levels in Los Angeles, at least not yet.
L.A. saw a nearly 13 percent drop in shoot days from April to June compared to the same period last year and an eight percent drop compared to the previous quarter, according to the latest report from permitting office FilmLA issued on Thursday. Production in the region trails the five-year average by about 36 percent.
So far, 170 projects have been awarded tax credits under the newest iteration of the program. These productions comprise a growing portion of shoot days in L.A., with 33 percent of all production for features coming from titles receiving subsidies. Several of them are independent productions, like Chester’s Awakening, Kill Royale and They Know.
In a statement, L.A. mayor Karen Bass said she’s “doubling down” on the subsidy program by “fighting for an uncapped tax credit.” Other changes she wants to include feature expanding the eligible categories of production to include competition reality TV series and allowing for above-the-line costs to qualify for incentives.
“We’ll keep cutting red tape and slashing permit fees at the local level, because this industry is core to the history, culture, and economic power of Los Angeles,” she added.
