Many people are struggling to find work amid a historic downturn in film and television production across California. The California Film and Tax Credit Program has announced a record 51 films have been selected.

The projects are expected to generate almost $580 million in economic activity and employ more than 6,000 people, according to the California Film Commission.

Independent movies make up the bulk of projects selected to receive tax credits, reflecting major productions increasingly opting to shoot in other regions with more generous incentive programs.