Former Ambassador Colleen Bell Named New Head of California Film Commission
Colleen Bell, a former daytime television producer and President Barack Obama's pick for U.S. ambassador to Hungary, will take the reins of the country's largest film commission as its new executive director. The appointment by California Governor Gavin Newsom comes...
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Alabama: Hidden Gem of Hollywood South
With a relatively low minimum spend of $500k and a competitive refundable tax credit, Alabama has the attention of independent producers weighing their options in “Hollywood South.” The state offers a refundable tax credit of 25% on local spend and non-resident...
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Applications Open for New Jersey Incentives Program
New Jersey comes roaring back to the incentives field this year with one of the most competitive programs on the Eastern seaboard… which is saying a lot, what with heavy hitters like Georgia, New York and Massachusetts in the mix. With the new application just...
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Getting Ready To Send Out W2s to Your Crew? The CA Supreme Courts Thinks You Should Be.
State supreme courts are making it clearer than ever who qualifies as an independent contractor (1099) and who must be classified as an employee (W2). Turns out, most film crew workers land squarely on the employee side.
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This Holiday Season, We’ve Got Home on our Minds.
We're not gonna sugar-coat it, California's had a rough 2018. From skyrocketing rents to rising homelessness to devastating wildfires, a lot of people are in need. If you're looking for a way to help, we're only too happy to share these amazing organizations. Every...
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CA Film Incentive Kindles $6B Spend Over 3 Years
The reboot of the incentive program has been a major success in boosting production spend in the state, according to the California Film Commission.
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Top 10 Reasons To Attend AFM This Year
Media Services is proud to be a Premiere Sponsor of AFM 2018 and Presenting Sponsor of the AFM Conferences. Check out these great reasons to attend the market!
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SAG-AFTRA Board Approves Stunt Coordinator Eligibility Guidelines
The guild says a registry of stunt performers with 500+ stunt days on set will improve safety, while stopping short of being a qualification.
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L.A. Film and Digital Media Job Growth Strong
Growth of L.A. County’s workforce outpacing national average and NYC’s, while increasing diversity but lagging in job growth for women.
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IATSE and Studios Cut 11th Hour Tentative Deal
Days before expiration of the current three-year contract, negotiators reached tentative agreement for a 3% per year wage increase - but the fine print causes concern for Local 700 Editors.
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NJ Launches $85 Million Tax Credit Over 5 Years
Diversity is a factor in credit amount, which ranges from 30-37% and went into effect July 1.
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California Incentives Program Extended to 2025
Outgoing Governor Jerry Brown signed the five-year extension into law along with his final budget approval for the state before he terms out in November.
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Anti-Harassment Provision Added to CA Tax Incentive Extension Bill
Addition to the draft legislation would require incentive applicants to specify prodco's policy and procedures for sexual harassment claims.
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Why “Employer-of-Record” Payroll?
When you engage the services of any reputable entertainment industry payroll provider, you will invariably hear the term “employer-of-record” associated with the organization and its payroll services. (If you don’t, you should certainly ask the provider if they do in...
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CA Supreme Court Sets Tougher Test for Independent Contractor Classification
The state's high court has laid out a stricter set of standards for classifying a worker as an independent contractor instead of an employee, including that the work performed must fall outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business.
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CA Production Incentive Clears First Hurdle to Extension
With approval from the Senate Governance and Finance Committee, legislation for a five-year extension now goes to the state senate and assembly. The program, credited with relocating several TV series to the state and landing big-budget features over Georgia and...
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