Does LA Have an Answer to Its Production Woes?
LA’s production-related woes are hardly news at present. With a dire need to encourage more TV series and films to choose LA as their filming destination, hoping to offset the 30% plunge in production we’ve seen over the last 5 years, there could well be reason to believe mid-budget movies will be returning to the LA area. Brandon Blake, entertainment lawyer Los Angeles at Blake & Wang P.A., shares the news.
New Plans
We’ve already seen some
major proposed overhauls to the city’s tax incentive plans, which would bring
LA back into line with some of the more compelling local and international
location destinations. However, a small local group, including some LA City
Councilmembers, are now targeting smaller budget productions. How? Primarily
through reductions in the regulations and permitting they need to meet, as well
as reducing other unnecessary fees and requirements that may make Hollywood’s
home less favorable to those filming with tighter budgets.
Legislative Analysis
Underway
Their motion has initial
approval and is now under consideration by LA’s chief legislative analyst. It
could reach the floor once again as early as May. It’s always good to see these
initiatives arise, especially as LA has somewhat rested on its laurels as a
premier filming destination instead of actively seeking out new business, much
to its detriment as we’ve seen compelling tax breaks and other incentives on
offer from newer locations.
For smaller budget
productions, onerous regulations, extensive permitting, and bureaucratic policy
can be a major turn-off. LA has also been suffering from a shortage of
personnel to handle filming requests. Some of the proposed initiatives, such as
creating a pool of film-certified public safety officers that productions can
use and streamlining the film permitting process could have major positive
inroads on redeveloping LA as a feasible location for those with tighter
budgets.
These proposals certainly
merit a careful eye as they move forward, as they may well be exactly what LA
needs if it is to see a return of the “bread and butter” productions that have
shaped it into America’s premiere entertainment city.
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