California Film Commission

Governor Davis Signs Bill Expanding Successful "Film California First" Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
09/23/2002

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

Innovative Program Will Now Reimburse Filmmakers for Using Local Police

HOLLYWOOD -- Governor Gray Davis today announced that starting October 1, 2002, the California Film Commission's "Film California First" incentive program will reimburse local police film-monitoring costs incurred when filming on public property in California.

The Film California First (FCF) program, launched by Gov. Davis in 2001, already rebates a wide variety of expenses associated with filming on public lands, including fire safety, transportation, and other types of film monitoring by public employees.

"Film California First has been extremely successful in stimulating our economy on many levels," Gov. Davis said. "Because of its multiple benefits to filmmakers, the program has worked as a great incentive to keep jobs in California. The unique features of Film California First have succeeded in attracting and retaining a wide range of film, television and commercial productions. Ultimately, the program's true beneficiaries have been our communities and the millions of people who call California home."

Davis made the announcement after signing Senate Bill 1356, the legislation sponsored by Sen. Kevin Murray (D-Los Angeles). Specifically, beginning October 1, filmmakers can be reimbursed up to $750 a day for monitoring costs associated with local law enforcement. The maximum reimbursement cap for use of local police is $3,000 per production/episode. (Previously, local police costs were not reimbursable.) For all costs, the total maximum reimbursement for any California film project using FCF is $300,000.

Davis allocated $10 million from the State budget's (2002-2003) General Fund to support FCF. Reimbursements from the program are on a first-come, first-served basis.

"We are extremely pleased that Governor Davis has signed SB 1356 into law," said Steve Caplan, Senior Vice President of the Association of Independent Commercial Producers. "Film California First has provided a real boost to the commercial production industry. By expanding this program, the State is sending a strong message to the production industry that it is committed to increasing film production and economic development."

The FCF program has reimbursed costs for thousands of films, television programs and commercials, often with significant results. The Twentieth Century Fox feature Planet of the Apes received a $75,000 rebate - and during several weeks of location filming, infused some $3.4 million into the local Ridgecrest, CA, economy. The producers of the independent feature 29 Palms used their $32,000 rebate to enhance their product by purchasing a soundtrack that they otherwise could not have afforded.

"The Film California First program turned out to be an invaluable resource to us," said 29 Palms co-producer Craig Davis Roth when he received his FCF rebate. "As producers of several pictures a year, we used to find ourselves in Canada, Utah or Europe to make our independent film dollars stretch further. Now we can look to shoot in California first."

Rene Veluzat, producer and set designer for the lower budget feature film The Long Ride Home, also praised the value of FCF. "Because of the Film California First program, we were able to build bigger and better sets, hire a wonderful director and cast, and give back to our community by staying in California and filming locally." The producers had originally considered filming in Canada, but the FCF program changed their minds.

"Film California First has been strongly embraced by filmmakers. It reduces production costs and helps projects stay at home," CFC Director Karen Constine added. "The new provisions for local police costs are especially good news for smaller budgeted commercial, television, and independent feature films. Expansion of Film California First mean bigger benefits for filmmakers, who can use these dollars for future productions in California."

The California Film Commission administers the FCF program. Updated guidelines for the FCF program, including the reimbursement of local police costs with caps, will soon be available on the Commission's Web site, www.film.ca.gov . Potential applicants can also request additional information by calling 323.860.2960 x 199.

The California Film Commission enhances California's position as the premiere location for all motion picture and television production. The CFC is a one-stop shop, issuing permits for filming on state-owned property and administering several incentive programs including Film California First and the State Theatrical Arts Resources (STAR) partnership, which offers surplus State property to filmmakers for no or low-cost. For more information about the CFC, visit its Web site at www.film.ca.gov or call 323.860.2960 / 800.858.4PIX (4749). The California Film Commission is a division of the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency.