On April 29, the DGA hosted a seminar for members to learn about how to take advantage of the California Film and Television Job Retention and Promotion Act of 2014. The program, also known as AB 1839, expands, extends, and improves California’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program and will help ensure that the state remains a viable place to make the films and television shows that provide good jobs for thousands of men and women each year. It was authored by California Assemblymembers Mike Gatto and Raul Bocanegra and after passing in the state Senate and Assembly, was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown on September 18, 2014.

The seminar began with an introduction by Associate Western Executive Director Jon Larson, who spoke about the leadership role the Guild played in the California Film & Television Production Alliance – a coalition of guilds, unions, producers, small businesses, studios, and associations that have worked together for more than a decade to promote, improve, and enhance film and television production in the State of California. The Coalition worked tirelessly to get AB 1839 passed.

Following Larson’s address, California Film Commission Director Amy Lemisch spoke in length about the new law including details such as:

• The difference between this new program and the one enacted in 2009 and how funding has increased from $100 million to $330 million annually.
• How all tangible personal property must be purchased, rented and utilized in the state of California for the project to qualify.
• How to use the tax eligibility calculators available on the Film Commission’s website.
• How productions can increase in the amount of the tax credit for such things as having the project’ musical score composed in California and hiring visual effects teams in the state as well.

The application window for 2015 television projects only, runs from May 11-17.  The application window for Studio features and independent films is from July 23-25.

For more information about the application process, members are encouraged to watch the video above of Ms. Lemisch’s talk and explore the information available on the California Film Commission’s website (www.film.ca.gov.) For more information about film incentives, visit the Incentives information here on www.dga.org.