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LA Film Shoots: Red Tape Cut to Boost Local Production
10 Sep
Summary
- New committee aims to reduce film permit fees for producers.
- Producers face high costs, leading them to shoot elsewhere.
- Efforts include waiving fees and expedited permitting processes.
The Los Angeles City Council has established a new committee focused on revitalizing the city's film and television production sector. Committee chair Adrin Nazarian expressed a commitment to streamlining bureaucratic processes that hinder shoots. The committee is initially addressing permitting fees imposed by the LAFD and LAPD, which have become a significant financial burden for independent producers.
Producers have reported substantial costs, with one citing over $10,000 for a three-day shoot, including nearly $1,500 daily for fire marshal inspections. This has led many to seek filming locations outside Los Angeles. The committee is exploring ways to waive inspection fees for shoots with minimal safety risks and has launched a pilot program for low-impact permits offering expedited processing.
Discussions also highlighted issues with byzantine permitting rules and unpredictable clearance times, further discouraging production. Organizers emphasize the need for swift action to retain jobs and productions. While state and federal tax incentives exist, city-level permitting reforms are seen as crucial for supporting on-location shooting, which has seen a decline despite broader incentives.
