The Motion Picture Editors Guild has voiced support for Assembly Bill 2319, a new measure to create tax incentives for post-production work in California. However, guild leaders called for stronger labor protections to safeguard union jobs. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Nick Schultz, aims to prevent the loss of editing, VFX and sound mixing jobs to other states.
Assemblymember Nick Schultz unveiled AB 2319 at a press event in North Hollywood on Monday. The legislation proposes a dedicated tax credit program for post-production activities like editing, visual effects and sound mixing, even for projects filmed outside California. Schultz, who represents Burbank and previously served as its mayor, warned that without such incentives, the state risks losing a key part of its entertainment industry supply chain despite retaining creative leadership locally. He stated, “Without a targeted post-production incentive, California risks losing a critical segment of the entertainment industry supply chain, even when creative leadership remains based in the state.” Currently, California's $750 million annual tax credits do not cover post-production for out-of-state filmed projects, though much of this work has traditionally returned to the state. Recent incentives elsewhere have eroded that trend. F. Hudson Miller, leader of the Motion Picture Editors Guild, praised the bill's intent during the event but urged enhancements to its labor standards. “Our members have spent decades building a system of fair wages and professional standards,” Miller said. “Without clear labor protections, these credits could reward employers who undercut those standards, rather than reinforcing them.” He advocated for provisions stronger than prevailing wage requirements to protect the guild's over 7,000 members from non-union competition. Miller expressed willingness to collaborate, adding, “We are grateful for the leadership shown on this issue and eager to work with lawmakers to get this right.” The push aligns with Governor Gavin Newsom's efforts to bolster local production before his term ends, emphasizing job creation as in the program's 2014 revisions.
