On-location film production in Greater Los Angeles slipped 1.9 percent in the second quarter of 2015 to 9,396 Shoot Days (SD), according to a new research update from FilmL.A., the not-for-profit organization which serves as the official film office of the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles and other area jurisdictions.
Despite the quarterly slip, FilmL.A.’s report reveals growth in local scripted television production. TV drama production rose 12.3 percent (to 1,004 SD) in the second quarter of 2015 over the same period the prior year. TV sitcom production, although a much smaller category, jumped 94.2 percent (to 505 SD), and digital Web-based TV increased 34.0 percent (to 437 SD). TV reality production slipped 13.7 percent (to 1,420 SD).
“This is a mixed report, but things are certainly looking brighter for television in Los Angeles,” said FilmL.A. President Paul Audley. “The year-round production of scripted series, plus the support of the California Film & Television Tax Credit, invites an optimistic outlook for this segment.”
FilmL.A.’s 2015 Pilot Production Report, released last week, showed that the 22 dramas approved for California’s film incentive annually spend about $1.2 billion in the state and employ thousands of cast and crew members and background performers. As of now, California is home to 53 one-hour drama series in total, the most in a single year since 2010.
Local on-location feature production increased a scant 0.4 percent (to 1,193 SD) in the second quarter of 2015, while Commercial production slipped 7.3 percent (to 1,248 SD). Unlike for Television, both categories are tracking down year-to-date and against their respective 5-year averages.
“While there is some good news in this report, it is a reminder that we must be unified and aggressive in protecting our position as the entertainment capital of the world,”said Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe. “We cannot take for granted the direct and indirect jobs created by the film industry and we must work together across the 88 cities in Los Angeles County to make this the easiest and most attractive place to do business.”
“Today’s report further proves the critical importance of our new California Film Tax Credit, which will keep production where it belongs — in Los Angeles,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “I look forward to seeing accelerated growth in L.A.’s film production as the next round of film tax credits takes effect.”
The new application period for the state tax credit opened on July 13, and specifically targets feature films and independent projects.
