Producer Michael Helfant didn't have much hope that he'd obtain any California production tax credits for his movie "The Hive."  His request was placed on the receivers list at number 85 during the random lottery system that awards production credits each year. 

"We didn't have much hope," said Helfant.  "We began looking elsewhere."

Several months later, staff at the California Film Office contacted Helfant and told him he had moved up the list.  Two weeks before he was set to shoot out of state, he got the call that there were credits for him.  He was thrilled not only to shoot in his first choice location, but also that he'd be able to secure the lead he initially had to turn down because of conflicts that arose due to the out of state shoot..

"We really wanted Halle Berry for the part," said Helfant.  "Due to a number of reasons, she could only work on it if it was shot in California."

Helfant, along with Amy Lemisch, Executive Director of the California Film Commission, Robert Wyman, Co-Founder, Wyman & Isaacs LLP, and Kurt Woolner, Co-Chairman, Film Finances, were the panelist on "Where's The Money in California: A Film Incentives and Financing Webinar."  Moderated by SVP of EP Financial Solutions John Hadity and VP of EP Financial Solutions Marco Cordova, the panel explored issues related to financing and acquiring incentives through the use of "The Hive" as a case study.  This webinar is now available in archive form for no charge. 


To access this webinar, visit:

http://engage.vevent.com/index.jsp?eid=1584&seid=12