FilmL.A.–the not-for-profit organization that coordinates permits for filmed entertainment shot on location in the City of Los Angeles, unincorporated parts of L.A. County and other local jurisdictions–reported that overall on-location filming declined 14.3 percent for the third quarter of 2009 as compared to the same quarter in 2008. There were 9,680 permitted production days (PPD) in July through September ’09 compared to 11,300 PPD tallied during the same period in ’08.
However, bucking that downward trend was activity on the feature film and commercialmaking fronts. For the latter category, which had seen four straight quarters of double-digit losses, there were 1,215 PPD in the third quarter of this year in Greater Los Angeles, a 10.2 percent increase over the 1,103 PPD registered from July through September ’08.
Even with that improved performance, location shoot days for commercials are still down 21-plus percent in ’09 when stacked up against ’08.
“Gains for the beleaguered industry sector are a welcome occurrence, because commercial production is such an important contributor to our local economy,” said Paul Audley, president of FilmL.A. “We hope this uptick is a bellwether of an improving national economy.”
As for the feature location lensing increase, the upswing was 25 percent-plus in Q3 ’09 versus the same three-month stretch in ’08. This marks the first time the feature filming category has not suffered double-digit losses in five straight quarters. Still, the third quarter ’09 gain must be viewed in light of last year’s drastically diminished feature production in the third quarter, after major studios had rushed to complete films ahead of a June 30, ’08 labor contract expiration. And even with a significant improvement this past quarter, features are still 37.4 percent down year-to-date as compared to the first nine months of ’08.
The TV category and all its subcategories reflect on-location filming in decline during the third quarter of ’09. Television production went down 21.4 percent this past quarter versus the same stretch in ’08. The subcategories’ quarterly losses spanned dramas (down nearly seven percent), sitcoms (a decrease of almost 48 percent), reality TV (down 20 percent) and TV pilots (a decrease of nearly 26 percent).
Sheriff Reports Preliminary Autopsy Results On Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa
Preliminary autopsy results didn't determine how Oscar-winner Gene Hackman and his wife died at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, but did rule out that they were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning, the sheriff leading the investigation said Friday.
The condition of the bodies found Wednesday indicated the deaths occurred at least several days earlier and there was no sign of foul play.
At a news conference, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said the initial examination by the medical examiner showed no sign of carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas produced from kitchen appliances and other fuel-burning items. When it collects in poorly ventilated homes, it can be fatal.
Mendoza also said an examination of the 95-year-old Hackman's pacemaker showed it stopped working on Feb. 17, which means he may have died nine days earlier.
Hackman's body was found in an entryway. The body of his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, was in a bathroom. She was on her side and a space heater was near her head. Investigators said the heater likely was pulled down when she fell. There also was an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on a countertop.
Whether the pills or other drugs were a factor won't be known until toxicology tests are completed in the coming weeks.
Dr. Philip Keen, the retired chief medical examiner in Maricopa County, Arizona, said it would be unlikely for a person who tests negative for carbon monoxide initially to later be found to have been poisoned by it.
He also said the moment when a pacemaker stops working could mark the point when a person dies, but not always.
"If your heart required a pacemaker, there would certainly be an interruption at that point — and it might be the hallmark of when... Read More