FilmLA, partner film office for the City and County of Los Angeles and other local jurisdictions, has issued an update regarding regional filming activity following the reopening of most areas in L.A. County to production.
After receiving the go-ahead from local authorities to begin processing film permits, FilmLA resumed remote office operations on June 15. Limited filming activity was underway in the region by June 19. Currently, all 16 of the city and county jurisdictions served by FilmLA are open to filming, while one of the six school districts served by FilmLA has also reopened to host filming and base camp parking on campus.
Since June, FilmLA has received approximately 1,127 film permit applications from 829 unique projects. Monthly application intake increased nearly 40 percent in August as compared to July, and daily intake now averages around 27 applications per business day. After rising quickly in mid-August, overall activity levels have stabilized at around 44 percent of what FilmLA would expect under normal summer conditions.
In terms of work happening on-location, the advertising industry (still photography and commercials) remains prominent with a 52 percent share of local permit requests. Meanwhile, scripted, unscripted and web-based Television content together represent the next-largest share of August permit activity, at 18 percent. Music video production now accounts for 11 percent of permits. By all available indicators, the expected September pick-up in scripted television production will deliver more increases and additional work opportunities for Angelenos in the weeks ahead.
“As an essential contributor to the Greater Los Angeles economy, film production responsibly returning to our communities is a welcome sight,” observed FilmLA president Paul Audley. “Of course, as Governor Newsom and public health experts remind us, COVID-19 will be with us for a long time. We are therefore mindful of the public health orders governing current filming practices and grateful for filmmakers’ conscientious embrace of crew and community safety on all permitted productions.”
FilmLA’s COVID-19 Resource Center lists the areas served by FilmLA and their current filming availability. This page also includes links to resources from film industry organizations and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, including mandatory Health Orders that apply to filming on location.
