FilmLA, partner film office for the City and County of Los Angeles and other local jurisdictions, has issued an update regarding regional filming activity since the reopening of L.A. County to on-location filming in June.
Over the last 20 weeks, FilmLA has received approximately 2,565 film permit applications spanning 1,967 unique projects. Monthly application intake increased 23.7 percent in October (to 880 permits) as compared to September (711 permits), and FilmLA’s daily intake now averages around 40 new applications per business day.
Overall, activity levels have stabilized at just under 47 percent of what analysts would expect under normal filming conditions. FilmLA’s average rate of business growth has slowed somewhat. Across weeks 17-20 new application intake grew 4.8 percent; in weeks 13-16 it grew 10 percent.
In terms of work happening on-location, the advertising industry (still photography and commercials) remains prominent with a 44 percent combined share of local permit requests. Production of television content represents the next-largest share of recent permit activity, at 25 percent. The expected October pick-up in scripted television production did occur; local reality TV production (6 percent of requests) was eclipsed by TV drama production (10 percent of requests) for the first time since June. Feature production currently comprises around four percent of permit activity.
“As Los Angeles welcomes more episodic series and feature films back to production, we are grateful to local producers, crew and vendors for their adherence to safe filming practices,” observed Paul Audley, president of FilmLA. “To push past our current production plateau with full community support, we need to continue to focus on keeping our workplaces safe.”
Selected broadcast and cable dramas and sitcoms shooting in the month of October include NCIS LA (CBS), The Rookie (ABC), Mayans MC (FX), Animal Kingdom (TNT), and Shameless (Showtime). Selected streaming series include Dear White People (Netflix), Big Shot (Disney+), Made for Love (HBO Max) and Rutherford Falls (Peacock).
Some of the larger reality TV and game shows that filmed in October include American Idol (ABC), Dancing with the Stars (ABC), Shahs of Sunset (Bravo!), Selena + Chef (HBO Max), House Hunters (HGTV) and Lucky Dog (CBS).
Some of the feature films that shot locally include Soggy Bottom, a Paul Thomas Anderson movie with Bradley Cooper that is set in the 1970s San Fernando Valley, King Richard (Warner Bros.) with Will Smith and Dylan McDermott, and Dog with Channing Tatum.
Commercials that filmed locally last month represent brands like Instagram, Uber, Subaru, and Citibank, and retail establishments including Starbucks, Kohls, JCPenney, and Walmart. Also included were PSAs for the campaigns Vote Safe California and Get Out the Vote 2020.
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.
