Should California Subsidize Noah Wyle’s ‘The Pitt’ Pay?

California is considering a major change to its film and television tax credit scheme: allowing some actors’, directors’ and producers’ pay to count towards subsidies. Supporters say the move could help keep productions and jobs in the state as filming declines, while critics question whether public money delivers enough wider economic benefit.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed expansion would raise the annual credit from $750 million to $1 billion. Los Angeles shoot days fell nearly 5 per cent from June to September compared with the same period last year, and were 36 per cent below the five-year average. The state is projected to provide nearly $49 million in credits for HBO Max’s *The Pitt*, which films in Burbank; lawmakers say the proposal would exclude executive and A-list compensation.