HBO's "Ballers" is Moving Production from Florida to California

[JamesG]

HBO's "Ballers" Moving to California after Two Seasons in Florida
by Bryn Elise Sandberg
11/30/16


"Ballers" is leaving Florida for California in its upcoming third season. The HBO comedy starring Dwayne Johnson is exiting the Sunshine State after filming two seasons in Miami.

The move comes as Florida's film and television tax incentives program expired earlier this year after the state legislature voted down a measure in March to replenish the funds.





Since the government declined to add new monies to the pot, the future of Florida's once-booming film industry has been unclear. Production spending within the state has plummeted in recent years, down from $366 million in 2011 to $175 million in 2015 in Miami alone.

The last of the state's funding (nearly $300 million was allocated for the program in 2010) went to "Ballers" and Netflix's Florida Keys-set drama "Bloodline". But it was only enough to last two years, making subsequent seasons of the series a pricier undertaking.





"We’re thrilled to welcome another TV series and the long-term jobs it will create in-state. Our expanded tax credit program was designed to target such projects, and it’s working precisely as intended," said Amy Lemisch, executive director of the California Film Commission.

"The industry responds very favorably whenever we’re able to level the tax credit playing field."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/liv...florida-951167