An article in Los Angeles Times states that Bumblebee the spinoff movie from Paramount’s “Transformers” franchise, will shoot in California with the help of a $22-million tax credit.
It’s the largest tax break awarded to date under a state program aimed at curbing so-called runaway production.
The new movie will film entirely in California, according to a Paramount spokesman. Production is expected to take place in the Los Angeles area as well as in Northern California, according to two people familiar with the project who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.
The production, described only in state records as the “Untitled Paramount Project,” has received preliminary approval to receive a state tax credit of $22 million, according to the California Film Commission.
It’s an interesting change in production compared to The Last Knight which was filmed in different locations around the world.
You can read the full article after the jump and join to the discussion at the 2005 Boards.
TFW10
I think this tax credit has to do a lot with the new Paramount CEO's background.
website: Jim Gianopulos Named Paramount Chairman/CEO (EXCLUSIVE)
Tforce
Within a historic context, so over a long term (in the sense that I am not referencing this year, or even last year, etc.), but within the more recent years of that context (so still relevant to today most likely) – this state financial stuff was an issue at least starting around maybe 2003-2004, and then there are the documented crises of 2009-2010 and 2008-2012 (state debt and budget). The phrase was constructed to reference this general area of time.
edit: the word recent essentially means this but I wanted to frame it so that it didn't imply "very recent," as I am not familiar with California state finances from the past 2 years or so.
John TheDestroyer
That doesn't make much sense.
Tforce
This is typical of a state that has historically had recent crushing financial problems. I guess they didn't bother to look up how much money the last tf movie made? I suppose Hollywood lobbying is a big deal in California state government.
TFW10
This \"tax credit\" is just a wash at the end of the year, meaning that what you spend this year you should get back on your income tax the same amount.
It looks like the accountant, bookkeeper, and writers put their heads together and planned that what I spend this year I can recoup the money for next year.
I don\'t know how many times you can do a \"tax credit\" usually its a one time deal, its very rare that you can do the same action twice under the same name, but you can do a \"tax credit\" more than once under a different name. Example these guys are going up state CA so maybe next year, they could film the movie at a national park and I think you can get a \"tax brake\" for promoting the national park system. don\'t know if they still do that
JT-bob
Here's the thing, I have lived in LA all my life, was born at Sunset & Vermont, and the idea that this will bring in $22 mil in jobs revenue through increased studio investment here is a fantasy. This is where the industry is, the system is already in place, the return isn't going to be in returned wages and thanks to hollywood-bookkeeping there won't be enough profits to offset those taxable returns; so this seems to be a thing of image, a hope that proving to the studios they can operate here again is a workable thing. LA already gives tax breaks to films that shoot here, keeping people working in the area is the point of this. But these are companies out to make the most profits and spend the least money doing so, the minute tax credits dry up they cut bait as much as they can. And the state is banking that this film will be big enough to prove their point… sorry Sacramento, but there's no guarantee this will be the home run you hope. Maybe I'm wrong and this will work, and the state capital will see enough value for their investment, entertainment is already one of the biggest industries in the state so shoring it up is vital I suppose. I wouldn't want to answer to the public if this film tanks though.
tonyformer
You're not understanding why they went this route. 1. These movies will always make more money internationally than domestically, regardless of where they are filmed. But by staying in one central location, they cut out almost all travel costs, all costs for transporting all the equipment and actors, and less people with their hands in the cookie jar. With the tax break and not having to spend millions on travel and storage fees for all the equipment in every new location, rheybare all but assuring they will make some good profit off this movie. And if they don't, than something is seriywronf and the franchise is dead. This really is their last ditch effort to bring in profits.
jestermon
These are the same people that complain about people getting large tax breaks ironic.
Dotmshockwave
Filming in Northern California? Finally, nobody ever films up here. It's all SF and LA and San Diego. Almost like the rest of the state doesn't exist, bout time we got some light shown onto it, even if it is just a bumblebee movie.
Russian fan
You all are forgetting that Transformers get strong international support and weak domestic one. Filming entirely in California will help to loose international audience. They could at least move inside US! And I doubt that US haters will return because of patriotic feeling. Seriosly I have a feeling that we should prepare to the repeating of TF1 plot, but without militaries, sector 7, Autobots vs Decepticons and saving a world in epic battle, just Sam, Micaela, parents and Bumblebee in couple of scenes as a comic character. What a nignhtmare. I feel my sinsere sorry for our young and brave Autobot
electronic456
Oh Afterburner….. Afterburner…. You might be my favorite movieverse fan. If you just stop trying to speak for all of us, then I would listen.
Seriously, even if the movie isn't something to look forward to, at least I am grateful for the local economies of California.
Afterburner
Subsidized garbage. We live in a sad world where the people pay for a continuation of something they just strongly rejected.
Make sure they don't even see that $22 million. We are sending a strong message but you can't stop because we are dealing with irrational folks.
The TFDrawer
The reason Bay wants to shoot in different places is because he wants to keep things real like with almost everything (explosions, stunts, etc.) and he just likes to shoot in different locations. And I prefer them using real locations instead of green screen but if they use the green screen really well then thats not a problem but in movies like Civil War they used too much green screen in my opinion (especially the airport battle) and it didn\'t look as good as it could\'ve been.
electronic456
At least Bumblebee is practical effects now….
Soundkaiser
Your welcome
96megatron
No CGI Bumblebee will be a cardboard cut out the entire time onscreen. Gotta pay for Morgan Freeman to play an Important character.
fallen_revenge
Can't wait to see how many human actors they can put in this movie with all that money and definitely not use it towards CGI!
Autobot Burnout
Only if it means a Days of Future Past where AoE and TF5 are erased from history.
I will never forgive those atrocities.
96megatron
He wanted to bring his clarinet, but then Bonaventura was like "hold up there are you trying to use up our budget".
Gordon_4
This isn't unusual surely? I seem to recall there being similar breaks or benefits for movies filming in Sydney and Melbourne around the time of the first Matrix film.