Written by on Oct 16, 2013. Posted in Incentive News

Los Angeles to waive filming fees for TV pilots shooting on location

Los Angeles is set to waive city fees for TV drama pilots filming locally. The resolution has been co-authored by recently-elected Mayor Eric Garcetti in a bid to reverse the city’s runaway production trend.

“When we support TV pilots being filmed here in Los Angeles, there's a very good chance that when that series is picked up, the television series will be produced in Los Angeles as well, '' Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, the resolution’s co-author, told the LA Times: “Then you have millions and millions of dollars spent on those productions, which are spent right here in Los Angeles instead of in Vancouver or New York.”

In America’s 2012/13 television development cycle, Los Angeles hosted 52% of all commissioned pilots, compared to 82% five years ago. Production of drama pilots has taken the most dramatic dive, with the vast majority filmed elsewhere in the US this year. Los Angeles is still, however, the preferred filming location for comedy pilots, with multi-camera shows being studio-based.

The fees-waiver resolution will mark another positive step for production in Los Angeles, but it doesn’t address long-term finance issues. Television networks are looking for long-term incentive support that enables them to choose a production centre on a multi-year basis for when their show is renewed.

When we support TV pilots being filmed here in Los Angeles, there's a very good chance that when that series is picked up, the television series will be produced in Los Angeles as well.

Paul Krekorian, Los Angeles City Council

Mayor Garcetti has been vocal in his support for the production industry in Los Angeles and recently appointed former studio executive Tom Sherak as his new film ‘czar’. The filming incentive rhetoric will be tested in the coming months.