Filming in California
Governor Davis Announces Initiative to Boost Filming in California
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11/12/2001
Contact: Karen Constine, Director or Karen Caesar, Information Officer
Contact Phone: (323) 860-2960
Universal's "Red Dragon" to Save More Than $175,000 Under Program
SACRAMENTO -- Supporting and enhancing film, television, commercial and other forms of production in California, Governor Gray Davis is making more than three dozen surplus state properties available at no or low cost to the entertainment industry. The properties are being offered through the State Theatrical Arts Resources (STAR) partnership administered by the California Film Commission (CFC).
"California is the leading production location the world over," Governor Davis said. "By making more public properties available, we will enhance California's dominance in the entertainment industry while boosting our state's economy."
"We are pleased STAR helps the Golden State shine and plays an important a role in the growing economy," CFC Director Karen Constine said. "We anticipate tremendous response to our new STAR sites and look forward to a continuous unveiling of future properties throughout this great state."
The Governor's announcement makes official the CFC's recently completed inventory of surplus state properties now available to the entertainment industry. They include the Metropolitan Hospital in Norwalk, numerous historic houses throughout Pasadena, and the 10-story State Building in downtown Los Angeles.
The State Building, the pilot property for the STAR program since January 2001, will soon take center stage when Universal Pictures utilizes it to shoot Red Dragon, a multi-million dollar feature. The film, starring Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton and Emily Watson, will begin prepping in December and will shoot during winter 2002. Through STAR, coupled with the CFC's Film California First program, it is expected to save more than $175,000 in location fees and reimbursements for film monitors.
A complete list of STAR properties is available on CinemaScout®(www.cinemascout.com). For further information, please contact Alicia Valdez, STAR Coordinator: (323) 860-2960, Ext. 134.
The California Film Commission
The CFC enhances California's position as the premiere location for all motion picture and television production. A one-stop shop, the CFC issues permits for filming on state-owned property and administers several incentive programs including Film California First (www.filmcafirst.com), which helps to reduce below-the-line production costs while filming in the Golden State. For more information about the CFC, visit their Web site at www.film.ca.gov or call 323/860-2960 or 800/858-4PIX.
The California Film Commission is a division of the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency.