Film Hills

US$7M FEATURE SHOT IN USA

POSTS IN AUSTRALIA

PRODUCER X HAS A US$7M BUDGET ON A CONTEMPORARY ROM-COM AND WANTS TO SHOOT ENTIRELY IN LOUISIANA. THEY ALSO GET A TAX REBATE FROM THE STATE OF LOUISIANA. LET’S ASSUME PRODUCER X’S FEATURE IS 100MIN WITH A 7 WEEK SHOOT, 10 WEEKS TO FINE CUT AND 10 WEEKS FOR DELIVERY. ALL OTHER POST, SOUND, MUSIC AND A SMALL COMPONENT OF VFX IS COMPLETED IN AUSTRALIA.

HOW CAN I GET MORE?

30% REBATE

ON POST, SOUND, MUSIC & VFX
SPEND IN AUSTRALIA!

 

If producer X completes any of their post, sound, music or VFX in Australia equal to or greater than AU$500,000 (approx. US$350,000 at 0.70c) they get 30% back on their Qualifying Australian Production Expenditure (QAPE) by accessing the Australian government’s Post, Digital & VFX Offset.

MORE BANG FOR MY BUCK?

Based on the Aussie dollar at AUD 0.70c to the US Dollar

Let’s say producer X’s post-production budget on a US$7m feature shot outside Australia is US$560,000 (AUD$800,000).

This budget is greater than the AU$500,000 threshold for the Offset.

 

APPLY THE 30% POST / DIGITAL / VFX REBATE

NET COST FOR POST, SOUND & MUSIC WITH
BASIC VFX ENHANCEMENTS

= US$392,000

Note: This is only an example case study and excludes significant VFX and other favourable services that can be included in QAPE. Scroll down to see what VFX, post, sound and music services are included in QAPE.

WHAT POST SERVICES ARE INCLUDED
IN MY SPEND IN AUSTRALIA?

IMAGE POST-PRODUCTION
  • Dailies, data management & storage
  • Editing, offline and online
  • Conform, grade, graphics, titles
  • Mastering, tech checks
  • Digital intermediate, DCP
  • Duplication, delivery, storage deliverables (excludes distribution copies)
SOUND POST-PRODUCTION
  • Sound editors
  • Additional recording, ADR, foley
  • Sound mix
  • Soundtrack recording
  • M&E tracks and deliverables

 

MUSIC
  • Composer
  • Score record and mix including orchestra, studio and scoring personnel
  • Orchestrators, copyists and music preparation
  • Music editorial
  • Music supervision
  • Orchestra and studio
BASIC DIGITAL VFX FIXES/ENHANCEMENTS
  • Wire/rig removal, clean ups, rotoscoping
  • 2D & 3D animation
  • Digital & visual effects
  • CGI
  • Motion capture

 

For a complete list of services included in the PDV QAPE click here

WHAT’S ELIGIBLE?

FEATURE FILMS, TELEMOVIES, MINI-SERIES, AND TV SERIES (INCLUDING DOCUMENTARY, REALITY, ANIMATION AND LIVE ACTION).
PRODUCTIONS DO NOT NEED TO BE FILMED IN AUSTRALIA.

BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE!

  • INCREASE YOUR REBATE WITH STATE TAX INCENTIVES
    Some state governments in Australia offer additional State Screen Agency tax incentives that can be combined to the 30% PDV Offset.
  • FILMMAKERS CAN ALSO CLAIM ADDITIONAL QAPE IN THE FOLLOWING. THESE ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE CASE STUDIES.
    CLAIM COMPANION TRAVEL, ACCOMM & PER DIEMS
    IF CONTRACTED, A PRODUCTION CAN CLAIM:
    • 50% of the airfare and 100% accommodation and per diems for ATL and BTL crew working in Australia for 2 or more consecutive weeks.
    • 50% of the airfare and 100% accommodation and per diems can be claimed for cast travelling to Australia to complete ADR.
    • 100% airfare and accommodation for companions of ATL and BTL cast and crew if part of renumeration contract.
  • CLAIM ATL WAGES
    Director & crew e.g (editors, Post / SFX Supervisors) fees if in Australia for two or more consecutive weeks.
  • CLAIM MUSIC CLEARANCES
    Clearances (music, photographs, archival footage) where copyright is held by an Australian.
  • CLAIM STOCK
    Stock footage where copy right is held in Australia.

DON’T FORGET THE IMPORTANT STUFF

  • We offer filmmakers outstanding talent in VFX, post and sound in Australia.
  • Take advantage of the time difference, Australians work whilst you are sleeping in the USA, you can wake up to review their progress on your work.
  • Most states have post hubs where you can be in close contact with all key post and VFX personnel.
  • Australia is your home-away-from-home. Our country offers a fantastic lifestyle and is an easy place to live.

ADMINISTRATION

THE PDV OFFSET IS ADMINISTERED BY THE
MINISTRY FOR THE ARTS WWW.ARTS.GOV.AU/FILM-TV

 

AUSFILM

SYDNEY
+61 2 9383 4192
[email protected]

AUSFILM USA

LOS ANGELES
(310) 229 2362
[email protected]