Filming was about to start on David E.Kelley’s Apple TV+ series “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” in early january when teh wildfires hit the Los Angeles area, devastating Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
Crew members lost their homes or were dealing with severe smoke damage. Others on the show took people who were displaced into their houses.
To add to the uncertainty, the series was still waiting to hear whether it would receive a state film and television tax credit.
It was time for a decision, Kelley and his fellow producers thought. Should thay play it safe and relocate to a cheaper filming locale, such as New Mexico or Vancouver, to ensure they had the budget to film the pivotal mid-season finale in Las Vegas?
They took a gamble and decided to stay in California. The bet paid off. “Margo” got a tax credit of about $1.2 million per episode,and the show was able to shoot both in the Los Angeles area and travel to Las Vegas for four days of filming.
“The rest of the story is a California story,” said Matthew Tinker, president of David E. Kelley Productions. “It’s really magical to leave L.A., go to Vegas and then come back, and it gives the show a huge production value that otherwise, we wouldn’t have had.”
David E. Kelley on His Return to Network TV, ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ and Why He’s Still Driven
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For decades, David E. Kelley has been a dominant force in television,crafting legal dramas (“Ally McBeal,” “boston Legal”),medical shows (“Chicago Hope”),and compelling mysteries (“Big Little Lies”). But in recent years, he’s largely focused on streaming, finding success with HBO’s “The Undoing” and “Big Sky” (for ABC).Now, Kelley is back on network television with “The Lincoln Lawyer,” a Netflix series based on Michael Connelly’s bestselling novels.
The show, starring Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller, a defense attorney who works out of his Lincoln Town Car, has quickly become a hit.Kelley spoke with The Los Angeles Times about his return to broadcast, the appeal of the source material, and what continues to fuel his creative drive.
Why return to network TV now?
“I wasn’t necessarily seeking it out,” Kelley admits. “But when Chris [Brinkley, his producing partner] brought me ‘The Lincoln Lawyer,’ I was immediately captivated. It felt like a really good story that hadn’t been told, and the idea of a lawyer who operates out of his car… it’s just a great visual and a great character.”
He also acknowledges the changing landscape of television. “The lines are blurring. Netflix is as much a part of the television ecosystem as ABC, CBS, or NBC. it’s less about where something airs and more about the quality of the storytelling.”
The appeal of mickey Haller:
Kelley is drawn to complex characters, and Mickey Haller is no exception. “He’s flawed, he’s got a past, he’s struggling with addiction, and he’s trying to be a good father. He’s not a perfect hero, and that makes him fascinating.” He also highlights the show’s exploration of the justice system. “It’s not just about winning or losing cases; it’s about the moral ambiguities and the compromises people make.”
Staying creatively engaged:
With a career spanning decades, Kelley remains remarkably prolific. What keeps him motivated? “I still love the process of building a world and populating it with characters,” he says. “I love the challenge of taking a story and figuring out how to tell it in a way that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking. And honestly,I’m just a curious person. I’m always looking for new stories to tell.”
He adds with a laugh, “And I have a lot of trophies to dust. That helps.” (referencing the image of his trophy-filled office).
california boosts Film and TV Incentives in Bid to Retain production
SACRAMENTO – california lawmakers have approved a significant increase to the state’s film and television production incentives, aiming to keep the industry from migrating to other states and countries. The legislation will raise the annual funding for the film and TV tax credit program to $750 million, a substantial jump from its current level.
The move comes as states like Georgia and New York have aggressively courted film and television production with generous tax breaks, luring projects – and jobs – away from California. Industry leaders have long argued that California needed to bolster its incentives to remain competitive.
Beyond the increased funding, the approved legislation also expands eligibility criteria, potentially opening the door for a wider range of projects to qualify for the tax credits. Details of the expanded criteria were not immediately available, but proponents say the changes will make California a more attractive location for independent films, streaming content, and other types of productions.
The legislation now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom for his signature. If signed, the increased funding and expanded eligibility are expected to have a significant impact on the california economy, supporting thousands of jobs and generating substantial revenue for the state.The hope is that this investment will solidify California’s position as a global leader in entertainment production.
California Film Production Sees Boost with New Tax Credits, Despite Overall Decline
Despite a challenging year for film and television production in Los Angeles, a recent round of California tax credits is injecting renewed hope into the industry.The California Film Commission approved credits for 22 new TV projects, signaling a potential turnaround for local production, even as overall activity remains down compared to last year.
Tax Credits Drive New Projects to California
The California Film Commission recently awarded tax credits to 22 new television projects,with 18 of those slated to film primarily in the Greater Los Angeles area. This influx of projects is attributed to improvements in the state’s film tax credit program, designed to incentivize production within California.
“There was a lot of pent-up demand,” said Colleen Bell, executive director of the California Film Commission. “There’s a lot of momentum here, and these improvements to the program have helped to drive that momentum.” https://www.cfilmincentives.com/
Among the projects benefiting from the credits is David Kelley’s upcoming series, “Presumed Innocent,” which is expected to contribute considerably to local production jobs. Kelley’s production company intends to prioritize filming in Los Angeles whenever possible. “The goal is to always look at California first,” said Kelley’s executive,Tinker.
Production Numbers Remain Down in 2024
While the new tax credits offer a positive outlook, overall production activity in Los Angeles is currently lagging. According to FilmLA,a nonprofit association that tracks shoot days in Greater L.A., production is down 9% compared to the same period last year. https://filmla.com/ 2024 is shaping up to be the second-worst year on record for production in the area, surpassed only by 2020 when the industry largely shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
philip Sokoloski, spokesman for FilmLA, expressed optimism that increased confidence in California as a production destination will attract more businesses and talent. “The more that people have hope in the future of California as a production destination, I think you will continue to see entrepreneurs and others make their careers here,” he stated.
Addressing the Cost of Filming in Los Angeles
Los Angeles remains a more expensive location for filmmaking compared to other areas. To mitigate costs,productions are adapting by adjusting schedules,such as shortening shooting days or reducing daily filming hours.
Caroline James, co-executive producer of “presumed Innocent” and “Margo,” highlighted the advantages of filming in Los Angeles despite the costs. “There’s such an infrastructure in L.A.,” she said. “There’s no learning curve.” Her productions, including “Margo,” have employed approximately 500 people.
Key Takeaways
* Tax Credit Impact: New California tax credits are attracting television projects to the state, especially to the Greater Los Angeles area.
* Overall Decline: Despite the positive news, overall film and television production in Los Angeles is down 9% compared to last year.
* Cost Considerations: Productions are adapting to the higher costs of filming in Los Angeles by adjusting schedules and maximizing the benefits of the existing infrastructure.
* Infrastructure Advantage: los Angeles boasts a robust infrastructure and experienced crews, making it an efficient location for filmmaking.
looking Ahead
The recent tax credit awards represent a crucial step towards revitalizing film and television production in California. While challenges remain, the industry’s commitment to innovation and adaptation, coupled with the state’s ongoing support, suggests a promising future for filmmaking in the region.Continued monitoring of production numbers and adjustments to incentive programs will be key to ensuring California remains a competitive and attractive destination for the entertainment industry.