California Post-Production Tax Credit Gains Support in Sacramento | LA Times

California Post-Production Workers Push for Standalone Tax Credit

As film and television post-production work continues to leave California, industry workers are advocating for a new, standalone tax credit specifically designed to support their sector. The effort received a significant boost Wednesday night when a representative for Assemblymember Nick Schultz (D-Burbank) announced his support for the bill.

The announcement was met with applause from a crowd of over 100 people gathered at Burbank’s Evergreen Studios for a town hall meeting.

“As big of a victory as this is, because it means we’re in the game, this is just the beginning,” said Marielle Abaunza, president of the California Post Alliance, a newly formed trade group representing post-production workers.

The state’s post-production industry – encompassing roles in sound and picture editing, music, composition, and visual effects – has been significantly impacted by the broader trend of film and TV production relocating outside of California. While often less visible than on-set work, post-production is a critical component of delivering finished content to audiences.

Last year, state lawmakers increased the annual funding allocated to the state’s film and TV tax credit program and broadened the eligibility criteria for projects, aiming to incentivize production to return to California. To date, more than 100 film and TV projects have received tax credits under the revised program.

However, post-production workers argue that the existing incentive program falls short of adequately retaining jobs within California. The current program only extends benefits to post-production work if 75% of filming or the overall project budget is spent within the state. The California Post Alliance is now advocating for a dedicated incentive that would cover post-production jobs located in California, even if principal photography takes place elsewhere or the project doesn’t otherwise qualify for the state’s production incentive.

Assemblymember Schultz explained his support for the proposed legislation stems from the impact he’s observed on workers in his district over the past decade.

“We are competing with other states and foreign countries for post production jobs, which is causing unprecedented threats to our workforce and to future generations of entertainment industry workers,” he said in a statement Thursday.

During the 90-minute meeting, speakers from the industry highlighted the existence of specific post-production incentives in other states and countries – including many in Europe – that have successfully attracted work away from California. According to a presentation by Tim Belcher, managing director at post-production company Light Iron, post-production employment in California decreased by 11.2% in 2024 compared to 2010.

“We’re all an integrated ecosystem, and losses in one affect losses in the other,” Belcher said during the meeting. “And when post[-production] leaves California, we are all affected.”