BURBANK — Gov. Gavin Newsom joined with state and local officials July 2 celebrating the passage of legislation that will more than double California’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program from $330 million to $750 million and add 16 new television projects expected to generate $1.1 billion in economic activity.
Newsom also was joined by labor representatives and entertainment leaders at The Ranch Lot Studios at Warner Bros. to mark the expansion, which they say solidifies California’s status as the “global epicenter of film and television production.” The expanded program will also support below-the-line jobs and increase industry investment.
The governor also is awarding 16 new television shows through the program which, taken together, are collectively anticipated to bring in $1.1 billion in total spending and nearly 6,700 cast and crew jobs across the state.
“California is where filmed entertainment was born, and with this expansion, we’re making sure it stays here,” Newsom said. “We’re not just investing in productions and soundstages — we’re investing in middle-class careers, small businesses, and the communities that power this iconic industry.”
The new TV projects, which have been approved across the program’s last three television application windows, include nine renewals, two pilots, four new shows and one relocating show, the governor said.
Altogether, the projects are expected to hire 6,664 cast and crew members, as well as 59,000 background performers — measured in days worked, across 1,308 total California filming days.
Highlights from the projects include nine returning TV series, including HBO Max’s “The Pitt,” Hulu’s hit “Paradise” and CBS’ “NCIS: Origins,” Newsom said.
There are also two shows that will film outside of the Los Angeles area for a total of 23 filming days, and one relocating series — Prime Video’s “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.”
“We are thrilled that we are going to be able to continue shooting our second season of ‘Paradise’ in Los Angeles, thanks in no small part to California’s film and TV tax credit,” said “Paradise” Creator and Executive Producer Dan Fogelman and star Sterling K. Brown in a statement. “We’ve been lucky enough to shoot in Los Angeles for the majority of our careers. “It is home to the best crews in the world and allowing series to shoot (and remain) in L.A. provides consistent work for countless crafts people, allowing us all to remain in town with our families and loved ones.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass praised the move, noting that the entertainment industry touches the city in many ways.
“We have tens of thousands of Angelenos working in the industry — actors, directors, writers, stage hands and more — but it’s also about all the businesses that rely on this industry — the flower stores, the carpentry shops, the restaurants,” Bass said in a statement. “Hollywood is the cornerstone of this city and our economy.”
Dee Dee Myers, senior advisor to the governor and director of GO-Biz, called the decision part of “California’s long game.”
“By doubling down on this commitment, we’re ensuring California remains the premier place to work, create, and tell stories that reach across the world,” Myers said in a statement.
Since 2009, the tax credit program has generated more than $27 billion in economic activity and supported over 209,000 jobs across nearly 850 projects.
Newsom’s office said each tax credit dollar returns about $24.40 in economic output, $16.14 in gross domestic product and $8.60 in wages.
The expanded program prioritizes workforce development, adds funding for the Career Pathways Training Program and launches what officials called the nation’s first “Safety on Production Pilot Program.”
Film and television workers, industry leaders and others have advocated for the program’s expansion, citing a need to stop runaway productions, as well as to assist an industry that has faced challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, dual writers and actors strike, and current federal immigration policies.
“We’re all thrilled that this historic action has passed the Legislature and will soon make a big difference in the overall health of the film and television industry in California,” said producer Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Chair of Mayor Karen Bass’ Entertainment Industry Council.
“Our hearts go out to those affected by recent hardships in our city and our industry. Now we have the tools to make significant improvements to our funding system for projects of all sizes, and that is a singular achievement in which we can all be proud.”
The program has been “oversubscribed year after year,” the governor’s office added. Film and television projects were driven out-of-state, coaxed by investments elsewhere.
“This program isn’t just about keeping cameras rolling — it’s about sustaining careers, building opportunity and ensuring that the economic and cultural benefits of filmmaking stay right here in the Golden State,” Colleen Bell, director of the California Film Commission, said in a statement.
Last week, Newsom signed the state’s budget bill, which included the $750 million program expansion. He is expected to sign new legislation that is intended to modernize and further improve the program.
The California Film Commission will integrate the funding into upcoming application cycles scheduled for July 7-9 (television) and Aug. 25-27 (film). More information will be provided by the Film Commission in the coming days.
