San Francisco Hopes To Lure Reality TV With Expanded Film Rebates
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Reality shows and documentaries filmed in San Francisco may soon qualify for rebates on permits and local payroll taxes as city officials push to expand the financial incentives meant to entice production companies to shoot in the city.
The Board of Supervisors Budget and Finance Committee on Wednesday recommended the full board approve the new package of benefits for unscripted movies.
"Productions are following the rebates. That's why California has lost so much filming to Louisiana, New Mexico, New York," said Susannah Robbins, executive director of the San Francisco Film Commission.
KCBS' Barbara Taylor Reports:
In 2006, films and television series became eligible for breaks on permit fees, parking and the cost of police officers, expenses local film makers said can add thousands of dollars onto daily production costs in San Francisco unlike other less expensive locales.
The rebate program expires at the end of June 2012, and the supervisors have ordered a report to determine if the incentives have attracted enough business and created enough jobs to justify the lost revenue.
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