From Mercury News:
California on Monday announced the first batch of movie and TV productions to qualify for tax credits under a film incentive program that former "Terminator" actor Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger pushed through the Legislature and signed into law in February.
So far, 25 productions have qualified for $67.5 million in state tax credits, most of which would have relocated elsewhere if the state money hadn't been in place, said California Film Commission Director Amy Lemisch.
"On most of these productions, they were indeed location-scouting and budgeting in other areas outside of California," she said.
The Walt Disney Co.'s "Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2," was slated for filming in Vancouver had the funding not come through, and "Christmas in Beverly Hills" by Fast Lane Productions LLC might have become "Christmas in Arizona" if it had not qualified for state credits, she said.
One TV series, Comedy Central's "Important Things with Dmitri Martin," will likely hire 100 staffers based in California, she said.
Lemisch said the projects are budgeted to spend $347 million on basic production in California, and are expected to spend 30 percent to 40 percent more on actors, directors, producers and other creative talent and rights.
