The California Film Commission has awarded $58 million in tax credits to five television shows that will be shot and produced in the state, including Ryan Murphy’s upcoming series “All’s Fair” starring Kim Kardashian. This initiative is part of the California Jobs First program, which aims to incentivize television productions to remain local and contribute to the state’s economy through the Film and Television Tax Credit Program.
The selected projects are expected to spend an estimated $386 million in California during their upcoming seasons. This expenditure will directly support local businesses and employ 1,196 crew members, 685 cast members, and 15,869 background performers, measured in days worked. Collectively, these projects will generate approximately 438 filming days across the state.
Colleen Bell, director of the California Film Commission, expressed her satisfaction with the new projects taking advantage of California’s resources and talent pool. She highlighted that during the first half of 2024 alone, the Film and Television Tax Credit Program has attracted twelve new and one relocating television series to California. This influx of projects is creating essential jobs for the industry and sustaining the livelihoods of thousands of cast and crew members, underscoring the critical role of film and television in the state’s economy.
“All’s Fair,” a new series from 20th Television, focuses on an all-female law firm in Los Angeles and stars Halle Berry, Glenn Close, and Kim Kardashian. Executive produced by Ryan Murphy, the project is set to film for 97 days in California, including 10 days outside the Los Angeles area. It will hire over 400 cast and crew members and spend close to $70 million in qualified expenditures.
Jon Robin Baitz, showrunner and executive producer of “All’s Fair,” expressed his excitement about shooting the legal drama in Los Angeles. He emphasized the benefits of working with experienced local crew members, accessing authentic Los Angeles locations, and utilizing top production facilities, all made possible by the California Film Commission’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program. Baitz noted that the tax credit is central to the industry and to California’s position as one of the largest economies in the world, especially as the production landscape shifts.
Other projects awarded tax credits include HBO’s drama series “Latitude” and Faith Media Distribution’s “Lot Patrol.” Past projects benefiting from the program include the second season of “Fallout,” “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” and “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.”
The current $1.55 billion program will end on June 30, 2025. However, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill extending the program for another five years. The next application window for the film program is slated for July 29-31, 2024, with about $80 million available for independent and non-independent projects. Television applications will be accepted in August and October.
Ryan Murphy’s “All’s Fair” is set to receive $14,122,000 in tax credits. The LA-set series, described by Murphy as a “high-end, glossy and sexy adult procedural,” will hire over 400 cast and crew members and spend $69.7 million in qualified expenditures in the state. Murphy, who is no stranger to California tax incentive awards, will produce the series under his new deal at Disney, with 20th Television producing in association with Ryan Murphy Television. The executive producers include Baitz, Joe Baken, Jamie Pachino, Laura Greene, Richard Levine, Kardashian, Berry, and Close, among others. Murphy is also set to direct.
Faith Media Distribution’s “Lot Patrol,” a comedy about overzealous, unarmed production lot security guards, has received a credit allocation of $1,461,000 and is expected to spend $7,303,000 in qualified expenditures. The series will film for 49 days in California and hire 95 cast members, 105 crew members, and 1,300 background players. Manny Halley, chief executive of Faith Media Distribution, expressed gratitude for the tax credit program, noting that it makes it possible for independent content creators to thrive and supports the local economy.
“Latitude,” which had previously dropped out of the program due to scheduling conflicts, has rejoined and received a credit allocation of $20,275,000. The production is expected to spend $104,357,000 in qualified expenditures, film for 125 days, and hire 31 cast members, 381 crew members, and 5,717 background performers.
An untitled Apple Studios miniseries and a recurring CBS Studios series have also received credit allocations of $14,937,000 and $7,531,000, respectively. The Apple miniseries is expected to spend $74,685,000 in qualified expenditures, film for 95 days, and hire 144 cast members, 240 crew members, and 3,520 background performers. The CBS series is expected to spend $37,175,000 in qualified expenditures, film for 72 days, and hire 200 cast members, 275 crew members, and 1,832 background performers.
The current Film & Television Tax Credit Program will run until June 30, 2025, with an extension through fiscal 2030-31. The next film application window is slated for July 29-31, with about $80 million available for both independent and non-independent projects. Television applications will be accepted in August and October.
Other TV projects that have recently received tax credits from the state include “Fallout” Season 2, Prime Video’s live-action “Spider-Man Noir,” and Murphy’s “Dr. Odyssey.”
Source: Variety, Deadline
