LA Council Moves to Ease On-Location Film Permits

- On-location television production in Greater Los Angeles has plummeted by 58.4% over the last three years, contributing to a significant downturn in overall filming activity. The first quarter of 2025 saw a 22.4% decline in on-location shoot days compared to the previous year. - The package of motions, introduced by Councilmember Adrin Nazarian, includes specific proposals such as reducing fees for filming on city properties to as low as $1 and creating a pool of film-certified public safety officers at more competitive rates. - This legislative push comes as producers report that filming in Los Angeles is often not economically viable, even with existing incentives, due to high costs and complex processes. Competing locations like New York, Chicago, and Atlanta have fewer or reduced fees for services such as fire safety reviews and on-set public safety personnel. - The decline has serious economic consequences; a previous analysis showed that losing market share in the entertainment industry cost California $4.1 billion in total output and over 17,000 jobs. - The nonprofit organization FilmLA serves as the official film office for the city and county, handling most permits. However, it is not a government agency and lacks the authority to override municipal regulations, which is what the City Council's motions aim to address. - The current application fee for a motion photography permit through FilmLA is $931, which can cover multiple locations over several days, but additional fees for monitors and community notification can increase costs. - This effort is part of a broader strategy to retain production, which includes an expanded California Film and Television Tax Credit program now funded at $750 million annually.