Film & TV Tax Credit Program 3.0

Tax Credit Program 3.0

Career Readiness

JULY 2020: Updated information, including recommended virtual sessions, are posted under Classroom Workshop and Faculty Externship options to promote physical distancing.

All applicants must participate in career based learning and training programs approved by the CFC. To meet this requirement, applicants may choose a method of participation from the list below.

CHOOSING AN OPTION

I

Watch Testimonials

Discuss options with CFC – Contact Jerram Swartz.
The CFC will facilitate contact with high schools, community colleges, and/or career based learning programs for Paid Internships, Faculty Externships, Studio Employment & Professional Skills Tours, and Classroom Workshop & Events.
Once a decision has been made, fill out appropriate verification form with intended activity and e-mail to the CFC Incentive Program.
When activity is complete, complete the form, which must be included in the applicant’s final documentation for a tax credit certificate. All participants must also complete an on-line survey (links and verification forms are located below in their corresponding section).

EDUCATORS

Are you a high school or community college educator interested in a potential career readiness option for yourself or your class? Do you have a school event that approved applicants can participate in? Email the CFC Incentive Program with your contact information and details.

Financial Contribution

Make a financial contribution to California Department of Education (CDE) or California Community Colleges (CCC). Financial contribution based on .25% of the estimated tax credit reservation, with a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $12,000 (more may be contributed, if desired).

Community College Contributions – Write the check to “Foundation for California Community Colleges”; write on the check “Non-Profit Internship Fund” in the memo line. Please request a receipt and submit it, along with the form, to the CFC for verification of the contribution when submitting final documentation for a tax credit certificate. Contact and mailing address is on the California Community College website.

California Community College (CCC) Donation: W-9 for Community Colleges Contribution

High School Contributions – Write the check to “Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation”; write on the check “Career Readiness Program” in the memo line. Please request a receipt and submit it, along with the form, to the CFC for verification of the contribution when submitting final documentation for a tax credit certificate. Contact and mailing address is on the Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation website. To request a receipt for a Career Readiness contribution, contact:

Wendy Dougherty
Chief Operating Officer / CDE Foundation
(866) 259-0521

California Department of Education (CDE) Donation: W-9 for Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation

Note: For projects in year 1 of Program 2.0, the minimum financial contributions are: Independent productions: $3,000 / Non-Independent productions: $5,000

Verification Form

Classroom Workshops & Lectures - UPDATED!

Provide students enrolled in a California high school or California community college classroom workshops, panels, or demonstrations on aspects of the film industry, conducted by entertainment industry professionals. While live contact is optimal, pre-recorded or virtual tutorials can be developed to accommodate social distancing, details below.

Verification Form
Survey

Video Testimonial Guide

*Note: Only the presenter is required to fill out the survey.

Virtual Sessions Information

The following recommendations are ways to conduct classroom workshops safely and effectively, while practicing physical distancing. Contact the Film Commission for futher inquiries.

1. Industry professionals (including below the line (BTL) department heads and crew) are invited to give livestream masterclass presentations or pre-recorded guest lectures and in-class demonstrations that can be accessed at local school sites. Providing a career-focused virtual presentation to faculty and students is a rewarding way to share the expertise gained through years of industry experience.

EXAMPLES

A cinematographer provides a virtual tour of the latest equipment used to shoot on set or in various types of locations.

A production manager shows pre-recorded or livestream an overview tutorial on the changes to set or location-based production to accommodate Covid-19 safety protocols.

An AD or line producer could pre-record a tutorial on their process for scheduling and creating a call sheets and other production documents using industry-specific software.

2. Reach a larger audience by virtually presenting (via livestream or pre-recorded) at state or regional conferences to assist film and television instructors in delivering the most up-to-date information to their students at the school site.

3. Production companies can structure their commitment by combining individual classroom, lecture, and/or virtual career readiness presentations.

4. Help with curriculum development to provide authentic, industry-related assignment.

5. Record how-to videos that can be utilized across multiple campuses.

6. Host a virtual workshop on a particular aspect of production or post- production to serve students, instructors, and administrators.

EXAMPLES

An editor demonstrates to students how to do parallel editing from three camera studio sessions.

A cameraman demonstrates the menu structure of a Red or Arri camera.

A Digital Imaging Technician explains the protocols of transferring footage from data card to computer and proper backup procedure.

Faculty Externship - UPDATED!

Provide a minimum of eight (8) hours for educators and/or faculty to observe the set operations, post-production and other specialized departments. Production companies may provide arts, media, and entertainment educators an opportunity for a virtual job shadow or audit a virtual production meeting of a particular department. While live contact is optimal, pre-recorded or virtual tutorials are recommended to accommodate physical distancing, details below.

Verification Form
Survey

Video Testimonial Guide

Virtual Session Examples

1. Attend a virtual meeting in which a script is broken down into visual effects shots.

2. Participate in a planning session, virtually, for a motion capture or green screen shoot and observe the filming.

3. Schedule a virtually jobshadow day with a post-production supervisor to better understand today’s delivery elements for film and television.

4. Observe a livestream or pre-recorded spotting session with a director and/or a composer to better understand the latest music technology.

5. Virtually attend a 3-D film shoot and discuss the technology with the director of photography.

6. Attend a virtual color correction session to gain up-to-date knowledge of the latest tools.

Paid Internship

Provide to one or more students enrolled in a California community college or California CFC approved career-based learning program paid internship positions for a minimum of 100 hours each or a combination of internships with a minimum 300 hours in total. Internship experience should include working with professionals in the film industry and hands-on work assignments. Interns must be 18 years of age or older. Any productions utilizing interns in technical craft positions need to notify the applicable union representative prior to the start of the internship.

Verification Form
Survey

Video Testimonial Guide

Professional Skills Tour

Provide to students, enrolled in a California high school or a California community college, a minimum of eight (8) hours of a professional skills tour, which may include a set visit and/or studio or production company department(s) exposure.

Verification Form Survey

Video Testimonial Guide

*Note: Only the instructor or class leader is required to fill out the survey.