L.A. filming: mean or easy streets?

As city officials and businesses launch new efforts to combat runaway production in Los Angeles, one local union has suggested they start in their own backyard.

[A Reptile Dysfunction]

All the "Entertainment Industry" workers who complain about not getting local support should count the vehicles in their parking lots some time.
Hondas, Toyautos, BMWs, etc. outnumber the American cars. If they claim these foreign cars are better value for the money, they shouldn't be surprised that the film-makers are also looking for deals.

[janet]

Duffy blaming the problem of runaway film production on the growth of neighborhood councils is nuts. Sure they made have "made it easier to complain," but so what? It was a GOOD thing where people were furious but called their council offices and the film commissions indepdently?

People who are paying a fortune for homes in the desirable areas that films want to film in, like the hills with views, or flats with mansions, do NOT want their streets blocked, noise all day and night, film people coming and going like they own the place. With only the immedite neighbors compensated even though noise carries like in an amphitheatre, in the hills.

WOW, what a surprise.

Sure, to whatever it takes in commercial areas. Film co's can film at night, for example.

How about the producer, director and stars of every film inviting the whole production to THEIR STREET, to start? I didn't think so.

[Location-locatio n]

I agree that location shoots present problems for the film industry.
At the most, my home is used for location shoots 10 days out of the year.
Neighbors call me and say they will not complain to the film permitting office as long as I pay them. So, neighbors who live nearby (but not on my street-outside the gated community) expect to be paid. Even if it is a very small production, they want to be paid. Also, eventhough there's a law, people know to turn their leafblowers on. The company will pay the person to not leaf blow. Aside from the costs, it leaves a sour taste in the film companies' mouths.
On the flip side, there are some production companies that are rude. That feeds to neighbor burn out issue. For the most part, I've had positive experiences from very courteous production companies. It's the one or two bad ones that don't help matters much. Goodness knows LA needs the film revenue.

[West Hollywood]

Buy California bonds. Interest from California bonds is tax free. California bonds are great. Get in now before the large institutions.

The above is NOT an offer to buy California bonds.

It just seems like it.

[Ayahuasca Shaman]

"There is a great deal of secrecy involved in what is paid to buildings for their use as locations."
----------

I certainly hope the 'buildings' fill out their 1099's.....

At least the buildings are employed!

I'd hate to have to see a building on a freeway offramp
with the little cardboard sign stating it will 'work for food'!

[location manager]

It's nicer and easier to film in other states. People are still excited about having film crews around. AND - the locations are better! Film can look better with fresh and interesting locations.
Villraigosa , LA Cty Council, and the snob NIMBY's can take a hike with their indifference!

Leave LA and Live.

[Bureaucratic Mess]

I don't take anything the unions say seriously. They've fools. Maybe the unions are attempting to cover up the fact that the reason some production is leaving LA is to get away from the entertainment unions. Between the production-busters in the entertainment unions and the red-inkers in the government unions, production is already DOA.

[Bureaucratic Mess]

janet wrote:

Duffy blaming the problem of runaway film production on the growth of neighborhood councils is nuts. Sure they made have "made it easier to complain," but so what? It was a GOOD thing where people were furious but called their council offices and the film commissions indepdently?

Unions hate giving a voice to the public because the public exposes the greed and stupidity of labor union. Plus, unions believe that only they have a right to whine, bicker and complain.

[Mikel]

between the unions strong-arming small productions (just happened to me on a commercial) and the one or two cranky homeowners on the block, my work is leaving LA as fast as it can.

It amazed me that one cranky old man spent half the day complaining how our show was so intrusive (we were really not, we bent over backwards to be considerate and kind to the neighbors), and then whined how his film industry relatives were all out of work.

a note to the LA machinery...85% of my work this year was shot OUT of LA

[Larry Kaplan]

The issue of runaway production needs to be put in perspective. Yes, it is a problem. But it is a problem whose causes are about mega-trends (technology easing on-location filming, the high cost of real estate in Los Angeles) as much as they are about the hassles of permitting and incentives offered by other jurisdictions.

However, our local leaders are missing a big part of the picture: the vast majority of entertainment industry activity is NOT about on-setl film and TV production. The vast majority of industry workers are not in production, but in pre- and post-production, as well as on the business side (marketing, distribution, accounting, legal). In fact, that is where the industry's significant job growth lies.

So, what are our leaders doing about making sure these segments of the industry stay here? They need to look at things like tax policy, facility permitting and that elusive quest to create a quality of life in our community so that people want to live and work here.

[Bureaucratic Mess]

Larry Kaplan wrote:

The issue of runaway production needs to be put in perspective. Yes, it is a problem. But it is a problem whose causes are about mega-trends (technology easing on-location filming, the high cost of real estate in Los Angeles) as much as they are about the hassles of permitting and incentives offered by other jurisdictions.
However, our local leaders are missing a big part of the picture: the vast majority of entertainment industry activity is NOT about on-setl film and TV production. The vast majority of industry workers are not in production, but in pre- and post-production, as well as on the business side (marketing, distribution, accounting, legal). In fact, that is where the industry's significant job growth lies.
So, what are our leaders doing about making sure these segments of the industry stay here? They need to look at things like tax policy, facility permitting and that elusive quest to create a quality of life in our community so that people want to live and work here.

Local politicians aren't as concerned about those sectors of the entertainment industry because they are staffed primarily by skilled professionals without labor union affiliations. Local politicians are only concerned with assisting their labor union supporters.

[California]

You must drive PERFECTLY!

Cops are writing tickets like crazy. They must really need the money.

This is instead of tracking down really bad guys.

[Toluca Lake Observer]

I'm all for local production. However, I loathe the attitudes of those on the shoots, acting like they own everything within view of their trucks, lights and cables. They bring the wrath upon themselves. And those former cops in their police costumes are always on their high horse, acting as if they are the final word on everything. The industry should clean itself up. (No union bashing, please.)

[State Worker]

The City of LA wants to make it easier, but then their own location --Griffith Park Observatory ---asks for $25,000 a day just to set foot on the place, of course, union and non-union production people revolt. They are sending mixed messages. A good PR message, "we want Hollywood to stay" but the reality is "only if they can meet our price."

What we need in all aspects of government is the truth....be honest....business people might not like the price but they will be satisfied if you are honest.

[Production worker]

location manager wrote:

It's nicer and easier to film in other states. People are still excited about having film crews around. AND - the locations are better! Film can look better with fresh and interesting locations.
Villraigosa , LA Cty Council, and the snob NIMBY's can take a hike with their indifference!
Leave LA and Live.

I work in film production and constantly witness producers trying to push the envelope. If you can't finish the day's work in the time allowed by the permit schedule a second day.

As a resident of Pasadena who has also worked on shoots here I always am grateful when the cops shut down production @ 10 PM.

[Bureaucratic Mess]

Toluca Lake Observer wrote:

I'm all for local production. However, I loathe the attitudes of those on the shoots, acting like they own everything within view of their trucks, lights and cables. They bring the wrath upon themselves. And those former cops in their police costumes are always on their high horse, acting as if they are the final word on everything. The industry should clean itself up.(No union bashing, please.)

Yeah right, I'll bash every union and every slug in a union.

[jealous much]

Bureaucratic Mess wrote:

<quoted text>
Yeah right, I'll bash every union and every slug in a union.

Typical non union low budget attitude.

[VenturaCapitalis t]

Larry Kaplan wrote:

The vast majority of industry workers are in pre- and post-production, as well as on the business side...

So what's up with Alarcon? Now pipsqueak politician is the great friend of business? More likely he's shtupping the production assistants.

Why don't you cheap crooks in city government reduce taxes, corruption and useless regulations so ALL KINDS of businesses can hire more people. If you don't stop driving business out of LA, you'll have that socialist utopia Saul Alinsky told you about: Detroit with palm trees.

[Bureaucratic Mess]

jealous much wrote:

<quoted text>
Typical non union low budget attitude.

Low budget is where movie productions are heading as directors, writers and producers shake off the burden of spoiled, greedy, lazy union slugs like you.

[Bureaucratic Mess]

VenturaCapitalist wrote:

<quoted text>
So what's up with Alarcon? Now pipsqueak politician is the great friend of business? More likely he's shtupping the production assistants.
Why don't you cheap crooks in city government reduce taxes, corruption and useless regulations so ALL KINDS of businesses can hire more people. If you don't stop driving business out of LA, you'll have that socialist utopia Saul Alinsky told you about: Detroit with palm trees.

Stop encouraging them -- that's the socialist utopia that they dream of.