Bass pushes new LA film incentive programs to keep production in city
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- After a bruising few years marked by the pandemic, industry-wide strikes and a steep drop in local filming, Los Angeles officials on Tuesday unveiled new efforts aimed at keeping film and television production in the city.
Mayor Karen Bass toured the construction site of Echelon Studios Hollywood, a sprawling complex expected to open early next year with more than 500,000 square feet of soundstages and production space. Bass said the project represents a turning point.
"Where we are now is a beautiful example of what's to come in Los Angeles," she said.
The mayor used the backdrop to promote two new pilot incentive programs designed to lure productions back. One offers a 20% discount on city owned parking lots. The other aims to cut permitting wait times and fees for so-called low impact productions.
"We're going to reduce the fees for these filmmakers who qualify by 58%," said Denise Gutches, CEO of FilmLA.
Both programs are temporary, set to run for one year. Supporters say the short-term approach allows the city to test the incentives before committing to long-term policy changes.
"Do it for six months, do it for 12 months, do it for 18 months," said L.A. City Councilman Adrin Nazarian. "Collect the data, see how it works and implement it. If it doesn't work, it was just a pilot project."
Nazarian said eight additional film-related incentive measures are currently under consideration by the City Council.
The Echelon Studios project is slated to open early next year, and city leaders hope it will help reignite local production after a 24% drop in filming last year.
The low-impact production program is already in effect. The parking lot discount will be voted on in May.
"All of these things help reduce the cost of filming in Los Angeles - an industry that for too long we took for granted," Bass said.
Nazarian added that the pending measures "will save film and TV jobs across the city and beyond. Let's get them done."
