Written by Shona Smith on Aug 9, 2021. Posted in General Interest

FilmLA record best quarter since 2019

A total of 9,781 Shoot Days were recorded across all categories in the second quarter of 2021. The number exceeds the 2019 average by 7.2%.

FilmLA has seen reduced production activity since COVID-19 sent filming levels crashing to record lows.

Appendix J protocols specific to filming were removed in Los Angeles in June, but safety protocols remain in place. “The industry’s robust safety guidelines remain firmly in place and these have so far proven effective for keeping business moving safely” says Paul Audley, President, FilmLA.

Quarterly production increased by approximately 40% since March and all four major categories tracked by FilmLA – Features, Commercials, Television and Other saw significantly increased activity. Commercial filming saw the most significant increase at 55%. Feature filming was up by 43.3% and Television up by 30.5%.

Television is Greater Los Angeles’ main production driver and remains important. Shoot days for the sector were up 82.1% on the 5-year rolling average, driven by TV Drama and Reality TV, rather than TV Comedy, Pilots or Web Content. Television series shooting include CBS’ Ghosts (pictured above) and Star Trek: Picard, Hulu miniseries The Dropout, American Crime Story: Impeachment from FX.

The latest report shows the 5 year rolling average. Both Television and Commercials were up by 82.1% and 38.5% respectively. On the other hand, Features were down by nearly 10%. Feature Films that shot in the area include new Steven Spielberg movie The Fabelmans, Disney+ Hollywood Stargirl and Netflix’ Day Shift.

However, the future of filming forecast is cloudy as Covid-19 cases climb. “By almost any available measure, the second quarter was good for filming in Los Angeles. With local COVID-19 cases rising it’s not clear whether that will be sustainable, but the industry’s commitment to community, cast and crew safety remains firmly in place.”

California provides a 20-25% tax credit for productions that shoot a minimum of 75% of the film in the region. 75% of production budget must be utilised for goods, services and or wages in California. The number of incentivised Shoot Days in Q2 were  9.3% for feature film and 5.9% or Television.