Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer Karen Bass announced a fresh round of celebrity endorsements on Monday, as she looks to highlight her ties to the entertainment industry in her campaign for L.A. mayor. Bass’ supporters include actors America Ferrera, Kerry Washington and Colman Domingo — all of whom have been involved in Democratic politics on the national level in recent years. Bass is running against Rick Caruso, who has also emphasized his Hollywood ties during the campaign, including support from Gwyneth Paltrow, Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry. Both candidates have vowed to be an advocate for the film and TV industry, which receives $330 million annually in California tax credits. A bill to extend the credit for an additional five years was postponed until next year, meaning the city’s new mayor may have an opportunity to weigh in on it.
California Film Tax Credit Extension Put on Hold
25.08.2022 - 23:19 / variety.com
Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer A bill to extend California’s film and TV tax incentive program through 2030 has been placed on hold, as lawmakers continue to work on elements of the bill, including a new diversity mandate. The state’s $330 million tax credit for Hollywood is currently set to expire in 2025. Sen. Anthony Portantino has worked on a bill, SB 485, that would add another five years to the program. Last week, a new provision was added requiring that productions that receive a tax credit adopt hiring goals that are “broadly reflective” of the state’s demographics. Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo, D-Los Angeles, led the effort to include that provision, which also adds an extra 4% subsidy for projects that meet their diversity targets.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his support for the tax credit extension earlier this month, and the bill was expected to be approved by the Legislature before the end of the session on Aug. 31. But in a statement on Thursday, Portantino said the bill would be put on hold until the next session in January. “Given the Governor’s commitment, it does not seem pressing to push SB 485 through right now, while there is still time to thoughtfully act before 2025,” Portantino said. “This is an important and successful fiscal and jobs program and I am committed to seeing it extended. Further, I appreciate the work of the bill’s co-authors, in particular Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo.” The diversity provision would set a goal of reflecting California’s population in terms of race, ethnicity and gender. That has received some pushback from activists who have been urging Hollywood to increase representation of people with disabilities. “It’s kind of maddening that this bill just excludes us — it
Harrison Ford chokes up while talking about his last 'Indiana Jones' film at Disney D23 expo: 'I'm very proud'
Harrison Ford choked up on Saturday while talking about the fifth "Indiana Jones" installment, which will be the 80-year-old actor’s last turn as the whip-cracking archeologist. "Thank you for making these films such an incredible experience for all of us, giving the opportunity to us to make these films for you," an emotional Ford said in a surprise appearance at Disney’s D23 expo in Anaheim, California. As he stopped for a second to collect himself, a cheer of support rose from the crowd. "I’m very proud to say that this one is fantastic," he continued, adding that his co-star Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who was on stage with him, "is one of the reasons." Harrison Ford talks about "Indiana Jones 5" in front of Disney's D23 Expo crowd on Saturday. (The Walt Disney Company via Getty Images) "‘Indiana Jones’ movies are about fantasy and mystery, but they’re also about heart," he continued, choking up again for a moment. "We have a really human story to tell, as well as a movie that will kick your a--." At the end of his speech he joked it would be his last time taking on the role.
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Los Angeles Mayoral Campaign Heats Up With Charges of USC Corruption
Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer The summer lull is officially over in the race for Los Angeles mayor, as both Karen Bass and Rick Caruso have come out of the gate after Labor Day with accusations of corruption involving USC. Caruso, the billionaire mall developer, finished second in the June primary and is trailing in the polls, and needs to do something to change the trajectory of the race. On Thursday, he held a press conference at the Grove to highlight an L.A. Times story that draws a link between Bass and an ongoing federal corruption case at USC. In doing so, he also took a swipe at incumbent Mayor Eric Garcetti, saying that Bass would represent “more of the same.”
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Rosa Salazar, Bobby Soto, Julio Cesar Cedillo, Veronica Falcón, Sarayu Blue & Eric Johnson Board Prime Video’s Michael Peña Film ‘A Million Miles Away’
EXCLUSIVE: Rosa Salazar (Alita: Battle Angel), Bobby Soto (Narcos: Mexico), Julio Cesar Cedillo (Narcos: Mexico), Veronica Falcón (Ozark), Sarayu Blue (I Feel Bad) and Eric Johnson (Fifty Shades franchise) are among the newest additions to Prime Video’s Michael Peña starrer A Million Miles Away, which has entered production in Mexico City. Others rounding out the ensemble of the Alejandra Márquez Abella-helmed film include Jordan Dean (Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace), Ashley Ciarra (Chupa), Michelle Krusiec (Hollywood), Emma Fassler (Recovery Road), Michael Adler (Super Pumped), Carlos S. Sanchez (Chicago Fire) and Isaac Arellanes (Ghostwriter).
Andre Rieu Concert Film Leads Sluggish U.K. Holiday Weekend Box Office
Naman Ramachandran Documentary specialist distributor Piece of Magic Entertainment’s “Andre Rieu’s 2022 Maastricht Summer Concert,” a concert film featuring Dutch violinist and conductor Andre Rieu, led a sluggish weekend at the U.K. and Ireland box office. The film collected £799,474 ($932,330) in a weekend when no film crossed the £1 million mark, according to numbers provided by Comscore. It was a three-day bank holiday weekend in the U.K. Ten previous Rieu concerts have grossed more in their opening weekend, but none managed to top the charts, per Comscore. The last event film to top the charts in the territory was “Michael Ball and Alfie Boe: Back Together” in Oct. 2020.
DGA, IATSE “Disappointed’ On California Legislature Inaction On Gun Safety For Film, TV Sets
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Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer Talks between the Motion Picture Association and the Hollywood labor unions have failed to produce an agreement on a new law that would address firearm safety on movie sets. The two sides backed competing proposals earlier this year in Sacramento in response to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust” in New Mexico last October. Both bills would have established a training standard for film armorers — a job that is currently almost entirely unregulated. The union proposal would have been more sweeping, however, establishing the role of a “set safety supervisor” who would have the power to shut down productions. Both bills stalled in the legislature in May, but the two sides continued to talk in hopes of reaching an agreement before the Aug. 31 legislative deadline.
California’s $330M Annual Film & TV Tax Credits Bill Placed On Hold
A California Senate bill extending the $330 million annual film and TV tax credit until 2030 was today placed in the inactive file for this legislative session at the request of its lead author, Senator Anthony Portantino (D- Burbank).
California Film Tax Credit Extension Delayed Until 2023 by Legislators
Portantino, who authored the bill and is a major player when it comes to film industry legislation in California, said that the delay was done to give lawmakers time to iron out late amendments added to the tax program, including a diversity amendment added by Los Angeles Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo requiring productions that receive a tax credit to hire a cast and crew that is “broadly reflective” of the state’s demographics. With the current tax credit program not expiring until 2025, Portantino expressed confidence that the extension can be finalized in time.
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the direction the city is heading. Residents and community leaders have expressed frustration with the political divisiveness and loss of a sense of community,” the statement adds.
‘Joker’ & ‘Rebel Moon’ Sequels Among 18 Pics Set For California Tax Credits; Expected To Generate $915M In Production Spending
Four big-budget features are among the 18 film projects that have conditionally qualified for the latest round of California’s tax credit program. Together, they’re expected to generate an estimated $915 million in overall production spending across the state and employ nearly 600 actors, more than 2,500 crew members and thousands of background performers. See the list below.
‘Joker’ Sequel, ‘Thomas Crown Affair,’ New Sofia Coppola Film Qualify for Combined $94 Million in California Tax Credits
The California Film Commission announced today 18 upcoming projects that will benefit from the state’s Film and TV Tax Credit Program, receiving a combined $93.7 million break for generating an estimated $915 million in spending.Todd Phillips’ “Joker” sequel “Folie à Deux,” a remake of “The Thomas Crown Affair” starring Michael B. Jordan, and “Rebel Moon Part 2” are among the big-budget films selected for the program. An untitled Netflix production, which qualifies for more than $20.5 million in tax credits, is the priciest project at $107.7 million in qualified spending.
‘Joker 2’ and New Sofia Coppola Film to Receive California Tax Credits
Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer“Joker” was a very New York movie — so much so that tourists flocked to the Bronx staircase where Joaquin Phoenix danced in a montage.But the sequel, “Joker: Folie á Deux,” will shoot in Los Angeles, thanks to $12.6 million in tax credits to Warner Bros. from the state of California.The California Film Commission announced its latest round of credit allocations on Monday morning, awarding $93.7 million to 18 projects.