Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive directive Tuesday aimed at removing some of the red tape surrounding local film and television production.
The directive orders city departments to “cut regulations and streamline processes” for the industry, per Bass’ office. Those orders include making iconic locations like the Griffith Observatory, Port of LA, and the Central Library cheaper and easier to shoot at and instituting a “proactive, film-friendly approach to communication” between productions and the city, particularly on matters that could impact filming schedules.
Bass is also directing the city to require only a single city staffer on set. Previously, multiple staffers including firefighters and retired or off-duty police could be required depending on the shoot.
“The City is taking bold action to support our legacy industry,” Bass said Tuesday. “Keeping entertainment production in L.A. means keeping good-paying jobs in L.A., and that’s what we are fighting for. I am taking action alongside Councilmember Adrin Nazarian to make sure L.A. is always the best place for film and TV production while we continue to champion making California’s production tax credit more powerful. Hard working people across Los Angeles are counting on us.”
Bass’ action comes after the L.A. City Council passed Nazarian’s motion to reduce “onerous regulations and permitting” as well as other “unnecessary fees, inconsistent safety requirements.”
The motion directs the city’s Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA), and all relevant departments to report back on adjustments to city fees, permits, parking and security requirements for location shooting, filming on city-owned property and certifying new sound stages. This directive from Bass appears to be the progression of those efforts.
Added Nazarian: “I’m focused on making it easier to shoot in L.A. We need to cut the red tape and roll out the red carpet for our film crews. That means lower fees, an end to price gouging, and expedited approval for film permits. Film and TV production aren’t just essential to our economy, they’re essential to our identity as a city. For over a century, this industry has made Los Angeles a magnet for talent and a hotbed of innovation in culture and technology. If we want Los Angeles to remain the capital of the global entertainment industry, we need to Keep Hollywood Home.”
As L.A. looks for local solutions, the response to runaway production has extended all the way to the White House after Jon Voight presented a plan to Donald Trump aimed at enticing production back from overseas. California Governor Gavin Newsom has also led the charge on increasing domestic production, and his proposal to expand the state’s Film & TV Tax Credit Program is also currently making its way through the Legislature.
