The Los Angeles city council made steps to improve the state of local film and television production Wednesday, unanimously approving seven measures aimed at streamlining the city’s permitting processes, fee structures, and more.
The move came after dozens of local film and television workers and union leaders, including SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local President Joely Fisher, once again dominated the public comment portion of the meeting to stress the importance of reviving what was once considered the home of moviemaking. Councilmember Adrin Nazarian, who spearheaded the initiatives, received a standing ovation in the chambers after he addressed his fellow councilmembers ahead of the vote.
“History alone will not protect us. Production is mobile, capital is mobile, talent is mobile, and jurisdictions across this country and around the world are competing aggressively for what we once assumed would always stay here,” he said.
The measures approved Wednesday include instructing city departments to collaborate to simplify best practices and rules across jurisdictions, expanding access to public facilities, assessing fees, ordering an independent audit of the city’s film office FilmLA and its permitting procedures, and establishing a free micro-shoot permit for smaller productions.
L.A. Councilmember Adrin Nazarian speaks to reporters following the vote Wednesday, surrounded by local production workers and union leaders
FilmLA, an independent organization contracted to help productions navigate the city’s permitting process, in particular has received quite a bit of heat from local production workers who feel that the current system is convoluted and expensive, making it difficult for any production — let alone small, independent productions — to set up shop in Los Angeles.
In his address to the chamber Wednesday, Nazarian acknowledged those complaints while also stressing that, ultimately, it’s the council’s job to direct the agency.
“FilmLA exists to serve us, not the other way around,” he urged the council. “FilmLA responds to us and our oversight. That cannot be lost here.”
The seven measures approved Wednesday are just the first step toward rejuvenating local production, which is still down significantly over five-year averages. Phase 1, as it’s been dubbed, was aimed at “reforming negative factors” that impede production, while the next phase is set to focus on positive ways to attract film and television back to the city.
Nazarian has already introduced several additional motions to the council, which are currently circulating through committees, to establish new production incentive programs and fee waivers.
That said, Phase 1 isn’t quite over yet, either. Local agencies will have between 45 to 180 days to implement the directives passed by the city council Wednesday.
