There are 36,100 fewer jobs in California because the state hasn’t sufficiently wooed the entertainment industry, according to a report issued Thursday.
The Milken Institute report says 10,600 entertainment jobs have fled the state since 1997 along with 25,500 jobs indirectly related to the industry.
Where are the jobs going?
Well, “Salt” was filmed in New York. Georgia got “The Blind Side” and “Zombieland.” New Mexico has “Cowboys & Aliens” and “Thor,” and Clint Eastwood took “Gran Torino” to Michigan.
The Hollywood Reporter jokes that one of the most ironic flights is “Captain America”, which is filming in London and “Battle: Los Angeles” is filming in Louisiana.
A year ago, California implemented a tax credit for projects budgeted below $75 million, and 75 TV and movie productions have been approved to receive those credits. But the report says California should do much more, including:
– Make the tax credits, scheduled to end in 2014, permanent.
– Provide the California Film Commission with enhanced staffing and marketing resources.
– Expand tax credits for TV production to include network and premium cable shows.
– Consider digital-media tax credits to retain developers of digital animation, visual effects and video games.
– Encourage investments in infrastructure by implementing tax credits for building and upgrading studio and post-production space.
