California bows Web portal for filmmakers

Site meant to ease applications for reimbursement

By DAVE MCNARY

The State of California has launched a one-stop Web portal for its three-year Film California First program, designed to keep production in California with $45 million in subsidies for filmmakers. The "My California" portal was debuted at the state's www.ca.gov site with promises that filmmakers will be able to submit applications for reimbursement without leaving their production offices.

"Today, with the launch of our new My California home page, we are using Web technology to personalize government in a way no other state has ever done," said Gov. Gray Davis.

The program gives filmmakers the option of utilizing local, state and federal employees at no cost and provides for reimbursement of costs for some film permits and property use fees. Davis announced the Film California First program in mid-May in order to combat runaway production and bolster the state's film business. The funds were allocated as part of his revised 2000-2001 budget, which saw total funding rise to $98.4 billion from $88 billion in January thanks to the state's booming economy.