The news is good–but nonetheless carries a sobering historical perspective–relative to on-location spot filming in Los Angeles. According to year-end data released by FilmL.A., Inc. (formerly the Entertainment Industry Development Corp.–EIDC), the number of filming days for commercials on location in 2005 increased a little more than four percent as compared to ’04. Based on FilmL.A.-handled lensing permits, the final tally for spots in calendar year ’05 is 6,983 production days, which is 280 more days than in ’04.
The ’05 performance continues a fairly steady growth path for commercialmaking in Los Angeles since the large drop-off of ’00. Indeed spot biz plummeted precipitously in ’00, which is when the six-month actors’ strike against the advertising industry took place. That strike arguably exacerbated what had already been a deepening runaway commercial production problem, with American spots scurrying to Canada and overseas for production. The resulting negative impact on the U.S. economy, including in such markets as Los Angeles and New York, was felt well after that strike was settled.
Now that spotmaking in Los Angeles seems to have turned the corner in its recovery as evidenced by the latest FilmL.A. figures, the reality is that the current actors’ contract is set to expire in October. Suffice it to say that the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) commercials contract is of prime industry concern and the hope is that negotiators on both sides of the table can learn from the past.
Adding to the angst for some has been the recent changing of the guard at SAG, with Alan Rosenberg elected Guild president, succeeding Melissa Gilbert who did not seek reelection. Rosenberg ran on the promise that he would be tougher in negotiations with management, contending that agreements reached during Gilbert’s tenure fell short of what actors deserved in terms of recompense and benefits. He cited in particular the failure to gain proper residuals for DVD sales during the last contract hammered out with the major feature/TV studios.
During Gilbert’s presidency, SAG reached agreement with the advertising industry on a contract in relatively short order in ’03, well before the expiration of the previous pact. Gilbert’s predecessor, William Daniels, presided over SAG during the strike in ’00. He campaigned for and won office on the pledge of being a tough negotiator seeking significant concessions from management.
The FilmL.A. figures represent the number of film-permitted, on-location production days in the City of Los Angeles, Diamond Bar, South Gate and West Hollywood, unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, the Angeles National Forest, and in more than 800 facilities operated by the Los Angeles Unified School District. The tally of filming days does not include production that occurs only on soundstages or in surrounding cities. Permit applications handled by FilmL.A.–which oversees the joint Los Angeles City/County Film Office–account for an estimated 80 percent-plus of on-location shooting in L.A. County.
Apple and Google Face UK Investigation Into Mobile Browser Dominance
Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers, a British watchdog said Friday in a report that recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year.
The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker's tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. Apple does this by restricting progressive web apps, which don't need to be downloaded from an app store and aren't subject to app store commissions, the report said.
"This technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices," the watchdog said in a provisional report on its investigation into mobile browsers that it opened after an initial study concluded that Apple and Google effectively have a chokehold on "mobile ecosystems."
The CMA's report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers "the clearest or easiest option."
And it said that the a revenue-sharing deal between the two U.S. Big Tech companies "significantly reduces their financial incentives" to compete in mobile browsers on Apple's iOS operating system for iPhones.
Both companies said they will "engage constructively" with the CMA.
Apple said it disagreed with the findings and said it was concerned that the recommendations would undermine user privacy and security.
Google said the openness of its Android mobile operating system "has helped to expand choice, reduce prices and democratize access to smartphones and apps" and that it's "committed to open platforms that empower consumers."
It's the latest move by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic to crack down on the... Read More