To combat film productions leaving the state of California, the California Film Commission began an incentive program in early 2009.

More than 30 film and TV productions are expected to shoot in the last quarter of 2009 with one staging in Santa Clarita.

A new television series called “Lawman,” will begin production in late October. The Sony Pictures production is for the FX channel, and will portray Kentucky.

“Thanks to the production incentive and with assistance from the guilds and unions, we were able to prevent this show from leaving California,” said Ed Lammi, Executive Vice President of Production for Sony Pictures Television. “We are extremely grateful that this new program allows us to keep the series here.”

Santa Clarita plays host to a number of film and TV productions, and to help bring in additional revenue, city officials have enacted a tax incentive of their own.

This tax incentive can be coupled with the State’s tax incentive to give production companies an even greater benefit to stay local.

“Santa Clarita usually benefits to the tune of about $20 million a year from direct spending of film productions in our community,” said Jason Crawford, Economic Development Manager for the city. “On July first we began our film incentive program, and we will be looking to see an even bigger impact on the economy this coming year.”

“I’m thrilled by the early success of our program – it’s having an immediate impact,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “Productions that were slated to film outside the state have shifted gears and are now shooting in California because of our film and television incentive. This is not only great news for our production workers, but for the thousands of small businesses that support film and television production in California and our state’s economy as a whole.”

In total 50 productions have been scheduled in the state for the end of 2009 and into 2010.

The State’s incentive program works to bring tax credits to productions filmed in the state. The credits range from 20 to 25 percent depending on eligibility requirements, and types of productions.

In addition to information on the specific incentives the California Film Commission website also provides a host of locations available for filming and the permits needed to request locations.

For more information on the City’s film incentive program click here.