Finding the Frame - California's Film Crisis (feat. Colleen Bell)

Thanks for joining us for another episode of the Filmmakers Academy Podcast! 

Take advantage of monthly virtual group coaching, networking events, as well as new content released weekly by becoming a member today. 

Join today and get $50 off your first year by using the promo code FAPOD50. And join the #1 resource for cinematographers, film crews, and Do-It-All filmmakers!

In this compelling episode of Finding the Frame, host Chris Haigh sits down with Colleen Bell, the Executive Director of the California Film Commission, for a deep dive into her remarkable journey and her current battle to bring film and TV production back to the Golden State. Bell's path is anything but ordinary, tracing from her beginnings as a script supervisor on "The Bold and the Beautiful" to serving as the US Ambassador to Hungary under President Obama. This diverse background has equipped her with a unique perspective on both the intricacies of Hollywood and the complex world of international policy.

The conversation wastes no time in addressing the pressing challenges facing California's film industry, including a significant year-on-year drop in production and a looming state deficit. Bell, a vocal advocate for the industry, outlines her ambitious proposal to nearly double the state's film and TV tax credit program from $330 million to $750 million. She passionately explains why this substantial increase is a vital investment, citing a compelling statistic: every tax credit dollar generates an impressive $24.40 in economic activity for California.

Bell draws on her experience as Ambassador to Hungary, a nation that has successfully built a thriving film industry through robust tax incentives. She candidly discusses the competitive landscape, highlighting how other jurisdictions offer more lucrative tax credits, often including "above-the-line" talent that California's current program excludes. Beyond financial incentives, Bell emphasizes the critical need for streamlined permitting processes, reduced parking fees, and improved infrastructure to make California more film-friendly. The episode also touches on efforts to support independent filmmakers and the potential impact of federal tax incentives in bolstering California's position as the entertainment capital of the world. Bell's dedication to cultivating a collaborative environment and her relentless advocacy offer a hopeful outlook for the future of filmmaking in California.

This episode is proudly lit exclusively by Nanlux-Nanlite Lights and sponsored by B&H and Hollyland.