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Governor Gray Davis

California and the entertainment industry are intrinsically linked. It is California's signature industry, and its value to our state cannot be underestimated. In fact, our entertainment community is recognized worldwide because of its “California products” — movies, television programs, recordings, new media, and countless technical and artistic innovations.

This $32.3-billion industry sustains nearly 300,000 jobs for Californians. Local communities benefit through the creation of jobs and the positive economic impact generated by location and studio filming, as well. In Los Angeles County alone, where the film and television industry is the fifth-largest employer, it generated $31.2 billion in 2000.

The 2001 feature, Planet of the Apes (20^th Century Fox), shows what a film shoot can mean to a single community. During its multi-week shooting schedule in Ridgecrest, Calif. — a rural area in the high desert northeast of Los Angeles — Planet of the Apes pumped some $3.4 million into local businesses, according to the Ridgecrest Film Commission. Fiscal benefits to local communities clearly have a statewide impact.

Through two relatively new programs created to further the film industry, California is now offering incentives to filmmakers that make it even more attractive to film here.

Film California First (FCF), our flagship program, is designed to reduce below-the-line costs for productions that film on public land. Public-location fees, public labor, and public equipment costs for film, television programs, commercials, and still photography can all be rebated through FCF, and qualified productions can receive up to $300,000 for each project.

The second in this innovative duo of programs is the State Theatrical Arts Resources Partnership (STAR) that provides filmmakers access to a variety of vacant or surplus state property for low or no cost. With more than 40 properties to choose from in California, including one-of-a-kind historic homes and a spacious empty warehouse, filmmakers are able to use unique sites that haven't been filmed before. Often, these properties are in transition, awaiting sale, demolition, or revitalization, and offer filmmakers opportunities to express their artistic vision without location fees.

To get a sense of the range of filmmakers using our programs, here are illustrations from an independent filmmaker and two studio films from Universal and Miramax, respectively.

Producer Craig Davis Roth was able to enhance his small-budget, independent feature film, 29 Palms, using the rebate he received from FCF for filming on public property. The program saved his production company approximately $32,000 in costs, allowing him to put additional funds toward a musical soundtrack.

Red Dragon saved $200,000 by using a STAR property in downtown Los Angeles. This 10-story building doubled for FBI and police headquarters, as well as a hospital and forensic laboratory. As with many of our STAR properties, the filmmaker was able to treat this building as a blank canvas to create the right environment to fit his movie.

For several weeks this past summer and fall, director Quentin Tarantino used a STAR property for his next project, Kill Bill (Miramax). His design team took a vacant, historic house owned by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and transformed it into a showcase to serve as a film set. This opportunity, plus the fact that the production intends to apply for an FCF rebate, was a key factor in keeping this project from filming the sequence in Texas. These examples showcase how California is responsive to the needs of our filmmaking community.

I believe strongly in the cultural, historical, and economic importance of our strong and growing film culture. This business is one of the state's economic cornerstones now and for the future.

The film industry adds creativity and imagination to our lives, and brings added luster to the state. I am confident that long into the future, this vibrant industry will still be calling California “home.”

For more information on how to utilize the FCF program go to www.filmcafirst.com. For information on the STAR program and how to get started filming in California, visit the California Film Commission

Make your views known to Gray Davis, email the governor at governor@governor.ca.gov.

Gray Davis was recently re-elected Governor of the state of California.