Among the reasons that hot locations are springing up in different far flung locales is an exodus of certain projects from Greater Los Angeles. That was further substantiated in a report released last month, prepared by the research division of FilmL.A., the not-for-profit film office serving the L.A. region.
Entitled “Filming On-Location in Los Angeles: 1993-2013,” the new report analyzes patterns of growth and decline in local filming brought about by developments in the U.S. domestic film, television and commercial production market. The report’s many findings include:
—Over the years, Los Angeles’ attractiveness to feature and TV drama producers has diminished significantly. A double-digit increase in both for 2013 nonetheless left local feature production 50 percent below its 1996 peak, and TV drama production 39 percent below its 2008 peak.
—Even as total on-location production has grown in L.A., the approximate economic value of local projects has declined. “Lower-value” forms of production, including reality TV, student films and still photography, increased 16 percent over the last six years, while “higher-value” production grew only 2 percent.
—Recent growth in spot production reflects a shift from soundstage to location-based filming to meet tighter production budgets. Web-based advertising also plays a role—L.A. production of web commercials doubled in 2013.
“The release of this report marks a milestone for FilmL.A. and the local film production industry,” observed Paul Audley, president of FilmL.A. “FilmL.A. production data is cited regularly in a wide variety of analyses. We hope that this report illuminates some of the challenges the region faces, and makes plain the areas where help is needed to better attract and retain film production in Los Angeles.”
Nebraska in Montana
From Cannes to Hollywood, Montana’s largest city of Billings has made the journey on screen and to the world’s most prestigious film venues in Alexander Payne’s Nebraska. Shot partially in Billings in late 2012, the black-and-white Paramount feature captures the city’s raw, unrefined edges—the home to regular, working class people, much like the film’s father-son characters, Woody (Bruce Dern) and David Grant (Will Forte).
Nebraska highlights the city’s gritty elements—its bus depot, Interstate underpasses and apartment houses. But Billings is also home to historic mansions and parks, and outside its limits Montana cattle country and Big Sky Country scenery abounds.
Carol in Cincy
Carol, a feature being directed by Todd Haynes and starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, is slated for shooting this year entirely in Greater Cincinnati. The movie is being produced by Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley of Number 9 Films, with co-producers Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler of Killer Films.
Karlsen noted that she and Woolley made a film in Cincinnati 20 years ago and found the local crew and talent to be first rate. “Our experience so far on Carol has been similarly positive. The city offers excellent creative choices for us and the tax incentive has been instrumental in enabling us to get the green light on the film.”
Carol is a love story about pursuit, betrayal and passion that centers on the relationship between two very different women in 1950s NY. Kristen Schlotman, exec director of the Greater Cincinnati Film Commission, noted that Carol is “the largest motion picture to shoot in our area since the incentive established.” In June 2012, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed legislation that increased the tax incentive allocation for film projects produced in Ohio from $10 million to $20 million a year for the next two years. This is credited with helping the State of Ohio attract and retain business, and better enabling Cincinnati to sustain an industry and infrastructure.
