Written by on Apr 4, 2013. Posted in On Location

Green cycle lanes in Los Angeles create challenges for period location filming

Green-coloured cycle lanes in downtown Los Angeles have been frustrating location filming professionals and now they’re about to be re-painted. More than a mile of neon green lanes was painted for cyclists in 2011 but the distinct design causes problems for the production industry.

The neon green colour clearly identifies the location as Los Angeles, which is a problem for productions trying to double the area for other parts of the US. It’s also tricky for projects trying to create a sense of period.

City officials had pledged to let the colour fade over time, but have now reversed their decision and the lane is to be repainted in the same shade.

"I was just scouting on Spring Street yesterday,” Location Scout Lori Balton told the LA Times, “and the thing that I noticed was that hideous green paint had started to fade and I was grateful for it."

That bright green strip doesn't exist in any other city and if you're shooting a period piece down there - which we frequently do - it removes you from the story and disturbs the willing suspension of disbelief.

Lori Balton, Location Scout

“That bright green strip," she adds, "doesn't exist in any other city and if you're shooting a period piece down there - which we frequently do - it removes you from the story and disturbs the willing suspension of disbelief.”

California has a serious ongoing problem with so-called ‘runaway productions’. These are mainly features and TV dramas that are relocating to other parts of the US as they chase more competitive filming incentives.