Gov. Schwarzenegger Moves to Strengthen Calif. Film Commission

Infrastructure gets boost, funding still to come

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger took another step to promote film and TV production in the Golden State when he issued an executive order on Sept. 20 directing government agencies throughout the state to designate a film liaison who will report to the California Film Commission (CFC).

"The motion picture industry generates more than $33 billion annually for the state's economy and employs more than 250,000 workers," Schwarzenegger noted. "This executive order ensures the commission will be able to facilitate film and television production in the most expeditious manner possible."

While the state budget lacks funding to aggressively promote production, analysts say the move to install appropriate infrastructure demonstrates a firm commitment to the task. The CFC has been on life support since funding was stripped by the state's budget crisis in the fall of 2003. Some industry analysts believe the governor will channel funding into the 19-year-old commission's coffers as soon as it becomes available.

The move is the latest effort by the Schwarzenegger administration to address the problem of runaway production even as the state remains strapped for cash. In May, the Governor appointed Danny Devito, Bill Duke, Clint Eastwood, Tom Werner and Lili Zanuck to the state's film commission. He also announced that Amy Lemisch would serve as its head.