Governor Acts to Inspire Film Work in State

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday tapped a cast of Hollywood figures, including his former co-star Danny DeVito and Clint Eastwood, to mount an effort to keep movie and television productions in California.

Surrounded by his cabinet, Schwarzenegger announced the appointments of DeVito and Eastwood to the California Film Commission, along with producer Tom Werner and directors Bill Duke and Lili Zanuck.

All are Schwarzenegger friends or associates from his movie-making days. “I am looking forward to putting [together] Terminator Four,” he joked. “Think about it ... Clint and Lily directing ... Bill Duke producing.... Danny is my stunt double.”

But the governor said he enlisted their high-powered help because the state’s $33.9-billion-a year entertainment industry was ailing and has been losing too many productions to other states and countries.

“The mission of this commission will be to make it easier to get permits [to film movies] here in California and keep productions here

The governor said he wanted to double the 250,000 entertainment industry jobs, partly by providing incentives to keep productions in the state. He said he favored tax incentives, but when asked whether the state could afford them this year, he said, “I will be going to producers, and those who stay in this state, we will reward them.” He did not specify when or how.

DeVito, a producer and director who played Schwarzenegger’s stubby brother in “Twins,” said he was looking forward to working with the Legislature and unions to improve the business climate for movie productions. “A lot of people in our industry are hurting because of the things Arnold wants to change,” he said.

Eastwood, an award-winning actor and director, said, “I don’t think any of us have the answer to inspiring productions in California, but we can all roll up our sleeves and try to find a solution.”

The workers’ compensation reforms making their way through the Legislature are one step in the right direction, the governor said. “Every time people do a movie, people can get injured,” he said, noting that the reforms would lower the costs for film companies and other businesses.

In recent years the commission staff budget has been trimmed. But Schwarzenegger asked the new members to find “no-cost” ways to promote film production in the state.

Duke, a veteran of 30 years in theater, film and television, worked with Schwarzenegger on the movie “Predator.” Werner was executive producer of “The Cosby Show” and “Roseanne” on television. Zanuck produced the movies “Cocoon” and “Driving Miss Daisy,” which won an Academy Award for best picture.

The current commission chairwoman, Chris Essel, a senior vice president of Paramount Pictures, will continue to serve on the panel.