Results tagged “production”

A new tax incentive allowed under a new bill for filming in California has been so popular, the majority of its allotted money has been taken advantage of by 25 film projects across the state. Local Assemblymember and current LA city council candidate Paul Krekorian's legislation to allow up to $100 million in tax credits for filming became a reality last month with 25 productions already claiming $67 million. “Just one month into the start of this unparalleled effort to boost jobs and invigorate our economy, we have already seen how this targeted economic stimulus measure has retained California jobs that will surely deliver much needed revenue,” Krekorian said yesterday against the backdrop of the nearly empty 20th Century Props, a local business that fell victim to runaway production. The $100 million in tax breaks is expected to inject $2.5 billion back into the state's economy.

Compared to last year's first quarter, film production shoots are down 56.3%, but thanks to last year's writers strike, TV shoots was given a boost with a 76.4% increase. However, the Hollywood Reporter has sobering news about all of this: "after factoring in a 34.2% drop in recession-battered commercial shoots -- first-quarter location filming in L.A. was virtually stagnant, increasing by 0.7% year-over-year." Feature Film production in Los Angeles also drastically went down to its lowest levels since at least 1993 when film days were first tracked. Tomorrow, a City Council committee will look at the filming services contract. Of note, a new draft of the contract "removes most of the specific language regarding how far in advance surveying and notification requests must be done," reports blogdowntown.

In recent weeks, Los Angeles seems to be the “it” city when it comes to becoming eco-friendly. First, Gov. Schwarzenegger held the Global Climate Summit in Beverly Hills. Shortly thereafter, Mayor Villarigosa announced plans for Solar LA in his continued effort under GREEN LA. And then, earlier this week, iHollywood Forum hosted “Hollywood Goes Green”, inviting industry and advertising personnel to attend and learn what has been done, and can continue to be done, in the effort to go green.

Academy Award winning filmmaker Jessica Yu best known for her documentaries Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien, In the Realms of the Unreal and Protagonist, is directing her first narrative feature, Ping Pong Playa described simply as "an Asian-American comedy," and she needs extras for a few crucial scenes. Wanna see yourself on the big screen? Wanna learn what being on a movie set is all about? Wanna watch a talented director...

We couldn't drive by without finding out what could possibly necessitate a fully table-clothed catered lunch at Echo Park Lake at 2 p.m. on a Monday. Turned out to be cast and crew from the independently produced The Last Word starring Ray Romano and Winona Ryder, which is being tagged as a romantic dramadey. No word on whether or not Winona rises from the depths of Echo Park Lake as a mermaid to tantalize...