When California Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his final budget for the state on June 29, he did not include funding for the post-production tax credit bill that certain sectors of Hollywood are trying to move forward with.
This doesn’t mean all is lost for AB 2319, just that the bill will make its way through the state legislature and try to get funding through the trailer bill. But to do so, advocates, including the California Postal Alliance (CAPA), the Editors Guild and now SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin, are calling on industry workers to contact their representatives to support the legislation.
“Although our union members are known for their work in front of the camera, as president I also want to lend my voice to our members who make their living in post-production,” Astin says in a video released to Hollywood Reporter before his screening at a California Post Alliance (CAPA) town hall at Sony Studios on Tuesday evening. “SAG-AFTRA singers, voice-over artists and ring groups, I want you to know that I see you and the union sees you. SAG-AFTRA supports you as AB 2319 makes its way to Governor Newsom’s desk.”
Trade union leader and Lord of the Rings The actor added, “It was amazing to get a $750 million tax credit. But now we have to incentivize companies to continue their post-production work in California. Please tell Governor Newsom we need to fund AB 2319 in this year’s budget. Ask your state senator to support the bill.”
SAG-AFTRA filed a letter of support in favor of the bill earlier in the month, but the video marks the first time its members’ top leader has participated, marking an escalation of the union’s advocacy for legislation already backed by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Netflix, Apple, the Television Academy and California’s IATSE board.
“Most people generally don’t think of post-production work as separate from production. But when a production chooses to ship post-production work out of the country to take advantage of tax incentives, our workers know full well that it costs them their jobs,” Astin said in a statement to Hollywood Reporter.
In California, post-production expenses can actually qualify for a tax credit if principal photography on the project also took place in the state. AB 2319, carried by State Assemblyman Nick Schultz, aims to provide a 35 percent base tax credit for productions that locate post-production work in the state but shoot elsewhere or shoot in California but do not receive a production tax credit. CAPA is the sponsor of the bill, and in June the Editors Guild joined as a co-sponsor.
The bill has already been approved by the state Assembly and is now making its way through the state Senate during a cash-strapped year in California. The bill will then go before the Senate Appropriations Committee on August 3.
“This is an inclusive moment for our industry,” grieved CAPA President Mariel Abonza and CAPA founding member Fletcher Sheridan in a statement. “We are extremely grateful to SAG-AFTRA for standing with California’s post-production community. Their support of AB 2319 reinforces our message: that post-production is vital to California’s creative economy, and to the future of Hollywood.”
Watch Astin’s video below.
