State Film Incentive Brings Production to Santa Clarita

There were many years when California was the most desirable place to film, due to its availability of crew members, variety of landscapes and proximity to major studios. However in the last decade one major factor has become more important than all of those: money.

Little relief from taxes exists in California for film and television productions. As a result, nearly every other state in the U.S. created rebate incentives that lured productions elsewhere reports Jon Dell for KHTS Radio.

However state lawmakers and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger were able to hash out a film incentive of their own a few months ago, which provides $100 million per year in tax incentives for productions.

“I fought hard for economic stimulus measures including the film and television production incentive, because we must do everything in our power to stimulate the economy and put Californians back to work,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “This is about the make-up artists, the caterers and the countless other small businesses that rely on film and television production to succeed and create jobs for Californians.”

The Governor recently announced the first 25 films that were chosen to receive the tax incentives, and one of those films will shoot locally in Santa Clarita.

According to Jessica Freude with Santa Clarita’s economic development office, “Elevator Girl” has obtained a permit to film locally.

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