First reported by the LA Times

This week, the California Production Coalition launched in Los Angeles, uniting nearly three dozen local businesses and industry associations to advocate for better conditions for filming in the Golden State. According to reporting by the LA Times, the coalition includes heavyweights like the Motion Picture Association (MPA), Television City Studios, and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Its mission is clear: to boost local production activity, expand tax incentives, and educate policymakers on the economic and cultural benefits of California’s film and TV industry.

The move comes as the industry struggles to rebound from the pandemic and the effects of last year’s writers’ and actors’ strikes, while also grappling with fierce competition from production hubs like Georgia and New Mexico.

A Unified Front for California Film

“I joined this coalition to support whatever measures can be taken to ensure that this industry remains part of California,” said Kavon Elhami, CEO of Camtec Motion Picture Camera Systems in Burbank, as quoted by the LA Times. “It is absolutely important that these businesses come together to have a voice.”

The coalition aims to highlight the importance of the state’s production ecosystem, from prop houses and equipment leasing firms to soundstage operators and post-production facilities. The group’s formation underscores the urgency of addressing rising production costs and creating a more competitive environment for California-based projects.

Supporting Expanded Tax Incentives

One of the coalition’s primary goals is supporting Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal to more than double the state’s annual film and TV tax credit program, increasing it from $330 million to $750 million. According to the LA Times, between 2015 and 2020, California’s film tax credit program generated $961.5 million in tax revenue and supported over 110,000 local jobs.

Pam Elyea, owner of North Hollywood’s History for Hire, told the LA Times that the MPA was instrumental in rallying industry businesses to advocate for more robust incentives. “We have the home-court advantage of doing this for 100 years. We have phenomenal resources,” Elyea emphasized.

Protecting California’s Legacy

The idea for the California Production Coalition originated last summer when local industry players recognized the need to organize. “This coalition got together to see what we could do to stay in business,” Elyea shared.

By advocating for tax credit expansions, reducing red tape, and showcasing California’s rich production heritage, the coalition hopes to protect the state’s standing as a global filmmaking powerhouse.

As the coalition works to amplify its message, it remains focused on ensuring that California remains a thriving hub for film and television production, offering long-term opportunities for businesses, crews, and communities across the state.