California Legislators Commit to Expand Film Production Incentive Programs

October 1, 2014

The AFM, along with Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) and the Recording Musicians Association of Los Angeles (RMALA), applauded California state leaders for expanding California’s Film and Television Job Retention Act. The passage of AB 1839 expands funding to $330 million per year for the next five years, more than tripling the current allocation.  The Assembly passed the bill in late May and Governor Jerry Brown signed it into law in September.

Musicians are pleased that the legislation also includes language to increase the credit for qualified expenditures relating to music scoring and music track recording by musicians. Additionally, the bill urges Congress and the International Trade Commission to investigate and impose sanctions on elements of production, including musical scoring, protected by the Tariff Act in order to combat unfair and illegal competition by international parties.

The expansion of California’s tax incentive program is supported by the AFM’s national Listen Up! Campaign, which was endorsed by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti earlier this year. Listen Up! was launched to combat outsourcing of film music jobs from North America.

“The problem of offshoring of film and television music scoring is real,” says AFM President Ray Hair. “We must act to ensure musicians’ work is valued by all companies at the same professional standard as other cast and crew, and the passage of AB 1839 will greatly aid in this pursuit.”