There’s a really interesting conversation happening right now around post-production work in California, and it feels like one a lot of you are going to have thoughts on. You can read about it here: https://deadline.com/2026/04/editors-guild-praise-adviice-california-pos...
A new bill has been introduced that would create tax incentives specifically for post-production, things like editing, VFX, and sound, even if the project itself was shot somewhere else. On the surface, it sounds like a big win, especially at a time when so much post work has been drifting to other states and countries offering stronger incentives.
The Motion Picture Editors Guild is actually supportive of the idea, but they’re also raising an important concern. Without stronger labor protections built into the bill, there’s a risk that these incentives could end up benefiting companies that cut corners on wages and working conditions, instead of supporting the professionals who have built their careers in this space.
So it really becomes a question of balance. How do you bring work back without lowering the standards that make that work sustainable in the first place?
At the same time, the industry has changed so much. Remote workflows are now a normal part of the process, and post-production is more global than ever. Incentives absolutely play a role in where projects land, but they’re no longer the only factor.
Do you think something like this could actually bring more post-production work back to California in a meaningful way? Or does it just shift the competition without really solving the bigger issue?
