Written by on Sep 28, 2011. Posted in On Location

Location filming in Los Angeles grows nearly 50% on 2010 figures

Last week was a good one for the Los Angeles film industry. Citing figures from Film LA, the Los Angeles Times reports that feature film production days reached nearly 180, an increase of almost 50% on the same time last year.

The Dark Knight Rises and period crime thriller Gangster Squad are both based in the city at the moment.

The feature production increase comes a few weeks after California’s state filming incentive was renewed for 12 months. It’s not without controversy though, with opponents arguing the USD100 million would be better spent elsewhere in the debt-ridden state. Supporters point out the incentive benefits below-the-line employees too.

California's extended its filming incentive for another year. The state's had a rough summer in the TV market, with New York stealing much of its business.

Steve Dayan, business agent for Teamsters Local 399, recently commented to the paper: “There is the impression that this money goes to fat-cat producers and people on runways and red carpets. The truth of the matter is this money goes to below-the-line workers and the hardware stores, furniture stores, equipment rental vendors and other small businesses that support the industry.’’

The week also saw a rise in commercial production days of nearly 40% year-on-year, but the number of TV production days fell by 4%. California’s had a rough summer in the TV market, with New York stealing much of its business.