The California Film Commission on Monday released a list of 15 projects selected for the state’s Film & TV Tax Credit Program 2.0. “Space Jam 2” starring Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is among the 15 projects set to receive a total of $73.3 million in tax credits reserved for the projects.
Five of the films are indies, and five are also being shot outside of Los Angeles’s 30-Mile Zone, including near San Francisco and Palm Springs. The commission says this represents a growth from previous years as part of an effort to spread production jobs and spending statewide.
“One of the goals for Program 2.0 is to bring production jobs and spending to regions across the state, and we’re beginning to see that happen more often and on a larger scale,” said California Film Commission executive director Amy Lemisch in a statement. “We’re thrilled to see Program 2.0 have such far-reaching benefits.”
The 15 projects are on track to generate $370 million in qualified expenditures. That includes $194.7 million in wages for below-the-line crew members.
Based on data provided with each tax credit application, the projects will employ an estimated 2,300 crew members, 750 cast members and 28,000 extras and stand-ins (the latter measured in “man-days”) over a combined 554 shoot days. Warner Bros.’ “Space Jam 2,” which is produced by Ryan Coogler in addition to starring James alongside the Looney Toons, is on its own expected to generate more than $100 million in qualified spending, including almost $43.2 million in below-the-line wages.
The five new out-of-zone projects plan to spend 88 filming days in San Francisco, Riverside and Kern Counties. Among those films are CBS Films’ “Lexi” and the Andy Samberg comedy “Palm Springs.”
37 film projects in all applied for tax credits during the Oct. 15-19 application period. A subsequent application period for TV projects was held Nov. 5-9, with selected projects scheduled to be announced Dec. 10th. The next application period for feature film tax credits will be held Feb. 25 to March 1, 2019.
Some of the bigger budget projects to date to receive the tax credit included “A Wrinkle in Time,” “Ad Astra,” “Birds of Prey,” “Bright,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and “Captain Marvel.”
Below is the full list of projects conditionally approved to receive the tax benefits.
- “24/7” (Universal)
- “The Boy Who Knew Too Much” (20th Century Fox)
- “Cry, Baby” (Cry, Baby Productions)
- “Janis” (Atlas Entertainment)
- “Lexi” (CBS Films)
- “Luminous” (JB Productions)
- “Margaritaville (Lionsgate)
- “Marlowe” (Amazon)
- “Marry Me” (Universal)
- “Mouse Guard” (20th Century Fox)
- “Palm Springs” (Kablamo! Productions)
- “Space Jam 2” (Warner Bros.)
- “Stuck at the Office” (Sato Production)
- “Unicorn” (1440 Productions)
- “The Walk” (Big One Productions)