Written by new-contact on Apr 15, 2013. Posted in On Location

Location filming fees in new LA park could drive ‘runaway productions’

Two supervisors in Los Angeles County are calling for location filming fees to be waived for six months at newly-opened Grand Park next to City Hall. They argue that the move will help establish the park as a popular filming location and help curb California’s ‘runaway production’ problem.

Grand Park covers 12 acres but since opening last year has only attracted one film production and a stills photo shoot. Park space filming rates in Los Angeles County are USD20,000 per block, twice as much as regional landmarks like Griffith Observatory, while state parks are free, the LA Times reports.

“Los Angeles County is no longer encouraging filming in the county, and these high filming fees are just one example of another disincentive,” Adriana Fernandez, of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, told the outlet.

Los Angeles County is no longer encouraging filming in the county, and these high filming fees are just one example of another disincentive.

Adriana Fernandez, Valley Industry and Commerce Association

Officials opposed to a fee waiver for the park are concerned about reducing public access to an already-popular landmark, as well as the possibility that fees will be tricky to lift again once the six-month period is over.

County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky told the outlet he would instead favour reducing the filming fee, possibly by as much as 75%: “I know what a pilot programme of six months of free product will be. It will be very popular. It will be very difficult to change it once you've offered something for free.”