In a recent episode of Variety‘s “Strictly Business” podcast, Colleen Bell, director of the California State Film Commission, shared her achievements as the state’s film chief and the ongoing challenges of revitalizing TV and film production activity in Hollywood.
Bell described the past few years as a pivotal time for California’s entertainment industry. She noted, “People want to shoot their projects here. Public policy needs to evolve to meet the moment.”
California is more attentive than ever to the needs of Southern California’s creative sector, which has been the core of the industry for over a century. Bell is mindful of the debate on whether the state’s recent enhancements to its production tax incentive program are timely enough, given the significant decline in filming in Los Angeles County.
During Bell’s tenure, the state increased its annual incentive program from $330 million to $750 million. This became law a year ago, following extensive public policy negotiations and coalition-building efforts by Bell and others in the Newsom administration in Sacramento.
A significant shift in local politics has aided the industry, as legislators in Sacramento, even those outside Hollywood, now see the importance of investing in production tax credits. Bell’s commission has shown that every dollar in a production tax credit generates $24.40 in economic activity, benefiting local communities.
With a greater appreciation for the impact of TV and film production, legislators have become more supportive of tax credits for the entertainment sector.
“There is a much stronger understanding of the utility of tax credits and that they are an investment. And when we invest in the industry, the industry invests back in us,” Bell stated. She has been the state’s film chief since May 2019.
“We continue to try to expand opportunity. We provide uplifts for shooting outside the Thirty Mile Zone, which has been beneficial,” she said. “We’ve had strong bipartisan support for this updated program, stemming from many discussions and an understanding that this is our legacy industry. Programs like ours are job creators, keeping talented people working here in California. I’m thrilled with the narrative shift we’ve achieved.”
Listen to Daily Variety on iHeartPodcasts, Apple Podcasts, Variety’s YouTube Podcast channel, Amazon Music, Spotify and other podcast platforms.
