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.
Mindy Kaling and Kate Hudson Take On Pro Basketball In Netflix Series “Running Point”
In Mindy Kaling's new Netflix series, "Running Point, " Kate Hudson stars as Isla Gordon, the new president of the Los Angeles Waves, a pro basketball team that's been run by her family for years. Hudson's character has to prove herself as a woman in a man's world not only to her passed-over brothers, but also to players whose egos need checking and other executives who don't take her seriously.
If Isla's story rings a bell, take a look at the list of executive producers on the 10-episode season dropping Thursday: Among them is Jeanie Buss, the president of the Los Angeles Lakers, who was embroiled in similar turmoil over control of the storied NBA franchise after the death of her father, Jerry Buss.
Buss not only has given the show her blessing, it was her idea said Kaling. Buss was a big fan of "The Office" and approached Kaling with the premise about five years ago. Kaling ended up as the co-creator, writer and executive producer alongside Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen.
"She's in a very serious, stressful job but she loves comedy. She does not take herself seriously," Kaling says of Buss. "That's really rare when someone has that much power and that much to lose."
Jeanie Buss' blessing
In fact, Kaling said, Buss wanted the show to be funny and had "no ego" about using her real life as inspiration.
"She's had some extremely interesting things happen to her as the president of the Lakers. Some of it is she literally dated the coach for many years and she's like, 'Do whatever you want,'" Kaling says, referring to Buss' former relationship with Phil Jackson. "To get that kind of carte blanche, I'd never heard that from someone who is so famous and, you know, pretty private."
Shortly after the news... Read More