California Film Commission

Producers of Planet of the Apes "Go Bananas" Over Film California First Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
07/27/2001

Contact: Karen Constine, Director or Karen Caesar, Information Officer
Contact Phone: 323.860.2960

20th Century Fox Benefits from Multi-Million Dollar Program

Hollywood -- 20th Century Fox will be reimbursed more than $75,000 by the Film California First (FCF) Program for filming Planet of the Apes on public land in California. The FCF Program is designed to bring down expensive production costs by reimbursing companies for the cost of public labor, excluding local police, and greatly reduces the location site fee, film permit fee and public equipment fee for filming on public land in the State.

The California Film Commission (CFC) administers the multi-million dollar, 3-year incentive FCF Program. "This reimbursement is a great example of how films can reduce their below-the-line costs and benefit from the Film California First Program," said Karen Constine, Director of the CFC. "We are truly pleased that Planet of the Apes utilized this new incentive program, yielding jobs and economic benefits throughout the State."

The FCF Program was brought to the attention of 20th Century Fox's Production Executive, Michael Hendrickson, at a meeting with representatives from the CFC. He learned about the significant opportunity for returns by using the FCF Program. Hendrickson then contacted Planet of the Apes' accountant, Ida Lee Henderson, who was able to get further information about the FCF Program from its interactive transaction Web site, www.filmcafirst.com. "It's a great bonus to have," said Henderson. "All the information was online and the forms were very self-explanatory and easy to fill out. The FCF Program is clearly a step in the right direction to help keep filming in the state of California."

20th Century Fox filmed for three weeks on Bureau of Land Management property at Trona Pinnacles near Ridgecrest. During production of Planet of the Apes, $3.4 million was pumped into the Ridgecrest area. "God bless Fox," said Ridgecrest Film Commission's Executive Director Ray Arthur. "Whatever money they saved by using the CFC's Film California First program, they spent with businesses in Ridgecrest. We saw 'ape dollars' in places that had never seen film revenue before: feed stores, gravel quarries, we even had a local dentist make a set of teeth for one of the crew." Arthur noted that he has already discussed using the FCF Program again with Location Manager Greg Lipari, who will be bringing another major feature to Ridgecrest in the fall.

Planet of the Apes begins with the famed original premise: a pilot finds himself in a world turned upside down after landing on a strange planet. Director Tim Burton reinvents Pierre Boulle's classic novel with his own unique vision and style, breaking new ground in story, design, makeup and visual effects. Planet of the Apes premieres in theatres nationwide on July 27, 2001.

The film's cast includes Mark Wahlberg, Helena Bonham-Carter, Tim Roth, Estella Warren, and Michael Clarke Duncan. It's directed by Tim Burton (Sleepy Hollow), and the ape faces are created by makeup wiz Rick Baker (Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas).

Since its inception in 1984, the California Film Commission has worked to enhance California's position as the premiere location for all motion picture and television production. A one-stop shop for filmmakers, the CFC permits for state-owned property and also provides production and troubleshooting assistance within California.

For more information on the FCF Program, visit the California Film Commission's interactive Web site at www.filmcafirst.com.

The California Film Commission is a division of the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency.