California awards $226.1M in film tax credits to 35 movies, $30.8M to 'Michael' sequel
The California Film Commission approved $226.1 million in tax credits for 35 films in its latest round. Pixar received the most ($40.1M) and Lionsgate's 'Michael 2' got $30.8M.
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The story, neutrally told
Left · 2The California Film Commission awarded $226.1 million in tax credits to 35 films in its latest round of approvals. The Hollywood ReporterLC “Combined, the 35 movies that will spend roughly $635.3 million across 1,049 shoot days were awarded $226.1 million.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ VarietyLC ““Michael 2” is one of 35 films that will receive $226 million tax incentives in total in the latest round of approvals from the California Film Commission.” Read at Variety ↗ Left · 1The Hollywood Reporter says the films will spend roughly $635.3 million across 1,049 shoot days in California, and that 28 are independent movies, eight with budgets above $10 million. The Hollywood ReporterLC “They include 28 independent movies, eight of which have budgets above $10 million.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Left · 2Lionsgate's "Michael 2" (a working title), the sequel to its Michael Jackson biopic, received $30.8 million, the second-largest award. The Hollywood ReporterLC “Lionsgate’s Michael 2 (working title), the sequel to the studio’s Michael Jackson biopic, nabbed $30.8 million.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ VarietyLC “with $30.8 million in state tax incentives going toward the production.” Read at Variety ↗
Left · 2Pixar took the largest award, $40.1 million for an untitled animated feature; Variety notes this follows a $28.7 million allocation for another untitled Pixar film in June. The Hollywood ReporterLC “Pixar took the largest award, receiving $40.1 million for an untitled animated feature” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ VarietyLC “which comes on the heels of a $28.7 million allocation for another untitled Pixar film in June” Read at Variety ↗ Left · 1An untitled Paramount crime thriller received $29.3 million, Disney's untitled live-action feature $18 million, Warner Bros.' untitled comedy $13 million and 20th Century Studios' untitled horror film $12.2 million. The Hollywood ReporterLC “Disney was another major recipient for an untitled live-action feature, which got $18 million.”“20th Century Studios was awarded $12.2 million for an untitled horror film.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Left · 2New Line Cinema's untitled "Last Friday" sequel received $11.4 million; Variety says Warner Bros., Paramount and New Line, now Skydance-linked, total $53.7 million. VarietyLC “for a total of $53.7 million for Skydance projects.” Read at Variety ↗ The Hollywood ReporterLC “also received $11.4 million.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗
Left · 1Variety reports the original "Michael" took $21 million in California credits before earning more than $1 billion at the box office; the credit now covers 35% of qualified costs versus 17.5% then. VarietyLC “The original “Michael” also received state support, taking $21 million in credits, before going on to reap more than $1 billion at the box office.”“will provide 35% of qualified costs compared to 17.5% for the original.” Read at Variety ↗ Left · 1The Hollywood Reporter says the program's jobs ratio appears to favour animation, which tends to be more labour-intensive than live-action. The Hollywood ReporterLC “The jobs ratio used to select productions appears to favor animation since the category is often more labor-intensive than live-action” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Left · 2Gov. Gavin Newsom said California is investing in the industry's future by expanding the credit and launching a post-production credit; Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson Sr.) and "Leaves of Glass" producers Victoria Alonso and Tom Culliver welcomed shooting locally. The Hollywood ReporterLC ““California is the home of entertainment, full stop,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom in a statement.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ VarietyLC “producing the film here with more than 180 local cast and crew underscores the value of the California production incentive program.” Read at Variety ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left2 outlets
- Framing
- Both trade outlets report the round as industry business news; Variety leads on the Michael sequel and taxpayer support, THR on the studios leading the round.
- Emphasis
- Variety stresses the original film's $21M credit and $1B+ gross and the doubled credit rate; THR stresses animation's advantage and the list of awardees.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither presents criticism of the subsidies beyond Variety's taxpayer framing.
- Charged language
- “California taxpayers will help underwrite”“Nab”
- For example
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“California taxpayers will help underwrite the “Michael” sequel from Lionsgate” — Variety
“Pixar, Lionsgate and Paramount led the way in the latest round of tax credits” — The Hollywood Reporter
Centre1 outlet
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- 35 films received $226 million in the round
- Michael 2 received $30.8M
- Pixar received the largest award, $40.1M
- Paramount's untitled film got $29.3M and New Line's Last Friday sequel $11.4M
California Film Commission organisation
Approved the round; it describes the Last Friday project as 'Untitled Last Friday Sequel' in its listing.
“The project is described by the film commission as “Untitled Last Friday Sequel.”” — Variety
Lionsgate organisation
Lionsgate's 'Michael 2' receives $30.8M for the sequel to its Michael Jackson biopic.
“Lionsgate’s Michael 2 (working title), the sequel to the studio’s Michael Jackson biopic, nabbed $30.8 million.” — The Hollywood Reporter
Left2 articles
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‘Michael’ Sequel to Get $31 Million in California Tax Credits
Mixed Leads with the Michael sequel and taxpayer funding, contrasting the first film's credit with its box-office haul.
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Pixar, Lionsgate and Paramount Nab $100 Million in California Tax Credits
Neutral Round-up of the award list by studio, with attention to animation's edge in the program.
Centre1 article
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 7 Oct 16:00 First VarietyLC ‘Michael’ Sequel to Get $31 Million in California Tax Credits
- 7 Oct 16:00 First The Hollywood ReporterLC Pixar, Lionsgate and Paramount Nab $100 Million in California Tax Credits
- 7 Oct 17:41 +1h 42m DeadlineN ‘Michael’ & ‘Friday’ Sequels Among Films To Get California Tax Credits In Latest Funding Round
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.