Hollywood Wants To Keep Films From Leaving With Proposal To Cut Red Tape & Slash Fees

A few weeks ago I posted about how California needs to keep the film industry strong to keep the Hollywood dream alive and now maybe there is a solution.

In response to a 30% decline in local production over the past five years, a coalition of city officials, union leaders, and industry professionals has proposed a sweeping local reform plan to make filming in L.A. easier, cheaper, and more appealing—especially for mid-budget projects.

Spearheaded by L.A. City Council member Adrin Nazarian, the initiative aims to tackle the burdensome permitting processes, inconsistent safety regulations, and inflated fees that have driven productions to states offering more streamlined and cost-effective alternatives. “Prompt action is necessary to bring film, television and commercial production back to Los Angeles,” Nazarian said, noting that revitalizing the local industry will generate jobs and boost the city’s economy.

The plan includes several key proposals:

• Waiving or reducing fees for shooting on public property

• Easing public safety personnel requirements

• Creating a pool of competitively priced, film-certified safety officers

• Enforcing anti-price gouging measures for crew parking and base camps

• Streamlining the permit process across city departments

• Expanding the stage certification process

• 
  

Organizations like CA United, Stay in LA, and IATSE Local 706 are backing the plan, with support from industry veterans like makeup artist Cale Thomas, who has worked on major productions such as Guardians of the Galaxy and The Mandalorian. Thomas emphasized that the initiative is especially focused on mid-budget films—like Boyz N the Hood and American History X—which were once staples of L.A. filmmaking but are now often shot elsewhere due to rising costs.

The proposed changes are currently under review by L.A.'s chief legislative analyst and may return to the council floor within the month. In tandem with state-level tax incentive reforms, local efforts like these may help reverse the exodus of film projects from L.A. and revitalize its storied creative economy.

Visit Dan Lalonde Films For All Technology And Entertainment News

Source: Deadline

Photo Credit: Paramount/Sony