California’s film and TV tax credit is working. Now local lawmakers hope to implement it nationally

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While California’s film industry could get a lift from increased tax credits, state legislators believe the incentives aren’t substantial enough.

Even though California Governor Gavin Newsom approved $750 million in tax credits for film and television production last summer, the planned combination of Paramount and Warner Bros., along with expected budget reductions, is causing renewed worry about job losses and whether shows and movies will continue to be made in the United States.

Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) stated on Friday that state-level programs alone aren’t enough to encourage companies to bring manufacturing back to the United States and prevent them from moving production overseas. He emphasized the need for broader, national tax incentives that can compete globally.

He stressed the need for immediate action, explaining that he’s developing a plan – with support from both Democrats and Republicans – to offer federal incentives for film production, making the U.S. more competitive with other nations.

He explained that the program focuses not on famous actors, but on the many jobs film and television productions provide, like those for set designers, carpenters, and lighting technicians.

These are the people responsible for our success, and we’re worried this merger could put their jobs at risk. We want to ensure those jobs stay local, as many of us are very concerned about the potential impact.

Hollywood Inc.

Sixteen shows, including the medical drama ‘The Pitt’ and a spin-off of ‘Family Guy,’ will receive tax breaks for filming in California.

This week, California’s Film Commission announced that 16 television and film projects will receive tax credits for filming in the state. These projects are estimated to contribute $871 million to California’s economy and create $1.3 billion in overall economic activity. According to officials, the state’s tax credit program has so far generated over $29.1 billion in wages for film production workers and supported more than 220,000 jobs.

As a movie fan, it’s a little worrying to see that even though things are starting to pick up a bit in Southern California, filming in Los Angeles was still down over 13% this past summer compared to last year. It’s part of a bigger problem, really – we’ve lost around 42,000 jobs in the LA film industry over the last couple of years, and local studios are really struggling. A lot of productions are just choosing to film elsewhere, overseas, which is tough to see.

Matthew Loeb, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, is urging federal officials to create a fairer environment for the U.S. film and television industry so it can compete better with other countries. He believes a strong combination of labor standards and tax incentives is key, and that adding federal support to existing state incentives will help keep film and TV jobs in America.

Hollywood Inc.

Assemblymember Nick Schultz will sponsor a bill offering a tax break for post-production companies working in California, as this part of the film industry has been shrinking recently.

The HBO Max series “The Pitt” is shot on a Warner Bros. soundstage in Burbank, and the production is taking advantage of California’s film tax credit program.

Noah Wyle, who stars in and helps produce the show, explained at a recent press conference that filming in Los Angeles is both difficult and very costly. Because of this, utilizing California’s tax incentives was crucial for being able to film “The Pitt” locally.

Having grown up in Los Angeles with family history here, and as someone deeply involved in the city’s creative scene, Wyle expressed a strong commitment to supporting film and television production in the area.

Thankfully, ‘The Pitt’ is proving the initial idea was right. We’re excited to start filming season three this summer, and season one has been very successful thanks to the new 3.0 tax program – it’s benefited everyone involved.

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The show qualified for a 20% tax break on key production expenses. With each episode costing around $6.6 million to make, this meant a rebate of approximately $760,000 per episode. By the end of its first season, the production had saved more than $11 million. Actor Kim Stanley Robinson estimated that the show’s first season boosted California’s economy by about $125 million.

Representative Laura Friedman, a Democrat from Glendale who is collaborating with Schiff on tax incentives for film production, believes a national program would succeed because California’s current program is already proving beneficial. She also pointed out that tax incentives are widely used to support various industries across the United States.

According to Friedman, Hollywood isn’t requesting any favors. Providing support, whether for industries like computer chips, energy, or pharmaceuticals, is common practice in the US. He believes Hollywood, and its role in sharing American stories, is a valuable part of the nation worth protecting.

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2026-03-20 23:31