Written by new-contact on Jan 16, 2014. Posted in On Location

New report reveals 50% Los Angeles feature filming decline since 1996

A new report from FilmLA has revealed the scale of the filming decline in Los Angeles in recent years. Production increased through the course of 2013 but filming was still dramatically below the city’s historic peaks, with feature film location work declining by 50% since 1996.

Location filming production for features in Los Angeles in 2013 was 50% below the city’s peak 1996 figure, while location filming for TV drama shooting was 40% below its 2008 peak. Filming increases between 2012 and 2013 are thought to be down to a rise in lower-budgeted productions like Reality TV and student films.

“This report underscores the urgency of our work to reverse runaway production,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti: “The entertainment industry is a cornerstone of our civic identity and our economy, with 500,000 jobs at stake. I will cut red tape at City Hall and fight in Sacramento to make sure LA is the best possible place for production and ensure that we are always the entertainment capital of the world.”

Location filming production for features in Los Angeles in 2013 was 50% below the city’s peak 1996 figure. Shoots for TV drama were 40% below their 2008 peak.

California’s limited filming incentive programme has hamstrung the production industry in recent years. Garcetti has been vocal about tackling the continuing pattern of runaway productions where big-budget features and drama TV shows chase better filming incentives in other parts of the US or even internationally.

The Mayor recently appointed a so-called ‘film czar’ – former studio boss Tom Sherak – who will spearhead lobbying in Sacramento for improvements to the filming incentive programme. Sherak recently stated a plan would be in place to present to state authorities before May this year.