LA fighting back against runaway TV, film production

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Mayor Eric Garcetti Friday touted the success of an expanded tax credit program that is luring entertainment projects back to Southern California.

Film and television productions are returning to California thanks to a significant increase in film tax credits.

"We want them to spend their money here, we want them to use our vendors here and hire our crews here," said Amy Lemisch of the California Film Commission.

Shows like "American Horror Story: Hotel" have been filmed in other parts of the country because of benefits that California no longer offered.

Season three and four of the popular dark series were filmed in Louisiana, but now it's back in LA as one of the first television productions to return home.

"We could never build a set like this out of town," said Jim Sharp, executive vice president of production for 20th Century Fox. "This is an extraordinary thing for us to use the best talent in Los Angeles."

The new five-year deal increases California's available film tax credit budget from $100 million to $330 million.

No longer is there a "lottery process" to select recipients. Now, film and TV productions are selected based on their economic impact.

For "American Horror Story," that's at least $55 million spent on production in just seven months and salaries for 200 people working behind the scenes.

"The crews, the expertise ...when you're out of town, you don't have that," said Sharp.

Another television series to relocate is ABC's "Secrets and Lies." In all, 17 television projects and 11 feature films are now receiving benefits under the program.

Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti said it helps ensure California remains the entertainment capital of the world, where the film industry began, grew, and where he wants it to remain.

"Not only should we continue it, we should probably continue it higher," Garcetti said. "Maybe one day without even a cap at all."