The Motion Picture Editors Guild is urging California lawmakers to pass Assembly Bill 2319 to create a dedicated post-production tax incentive [1].
This legislative push comes as the state faces a significant decline in film and television production. Without targeted financial support, the guild warns that the state's post-production ecosystem and thousands of specialized jobs are at risk.
The Motion Picture Editors Guild, also known as IATSE Local 700, is advocating for a standalone incentive that would provide a tax credit ranging from 35% to 50% [1]. This proposed credit would complement the existing Film & TV Tax Credit Program to make California more competitive with other production hubs.
According to the guild, the state is currently experiencing an "existential" downturn in production [2]. The organization said that the current lack of specific incentives for the post-production phase, which includes editing, sound design, and visual effects, is driving work out of the state.
Assembly Bill 2319 seeks to stabilize the local industry by reducing the cost of post-production work within California borders [1]. The guild said that a dedicated incentive is critical to ensuring that the technical infrastructure and the workforce remain in Sacramento and Los Angeles.
The guild's call for action follows previous efforts in early July to alert state legislators about the precarious nature of the industry [2]. By establishing a clear financial benefit for post-production, the guild believes California can reverse the trend of production flight and protect the livelihoods of its creative professionals.
“California’s film and TV production is in an "existential" downturn”
The push for AB 2319 reflects a broader trend of 'production flight,' where studios move projects to regions with more aggressive tax subsidies. By seeking a standalone credit specifically for post-production, the guild is attempting to decouple the technical finishing phase of filmmaking from the physical production phase, recognizing that the two have different economic drivers and geographic requirements.
