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e-Notification
Brings Filming
Notices to Your
Inbox!
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Did you know that you may be able to receive advance notice of filming in your area by e-mail?
In late 2006, FilmL.A. launched a pilot program offering this service to residents in the Downtown Arts District.
Since then, we've expanded the program to serve other areas in Los Angeles, including:
All Areas in Downtown Los Angeles
San Pedro Business District
Sunset Junction
Westwood Village Business District
If you live or work in one of these areas, why not take advantage of this free and convenient service?
Visit our website today and register for your account.
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FilmL.A., Inc.
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Founded in 1995, FilmL.A., Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that provides a crucial link between media producers, local residents and various government entities to sustain the Los Angeles region's status as a global leader in entertainment production.
FilmL.A., Inc. holds contracts with the City of Los Angeles, unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, and the cities of Diamond Bar, Lancaster, South Gate and the City of Industry. Nonmunicipal clients include the Angeles National Forest, the Los Angeles Unified School District and Burbank Unified School District.
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| Notifying Everyone We Serve |
Mel Kohn Elected 2008 Board Chair
Last December, our Board of Directors elected accounting and finance specialist Mel Kohn as FilmL.A.'s new chair for 2008. Kohn is the first from outside the entertainment industry to rise to the high post.
Kohn serves as managing partner of Kirsch, Kohn & Bridge -- an Encino-based accounting firm founded in 1960. He is also very active in accounting industry affairs and local business and civic organizations, including the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA), Valley Economic Development Corporation (VEDC) -- where he served as Chair through 2007 -- and the San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center. Kohn also served as president of the City of Los Angeles Business Tax Advisory Committee (BTAC). He joined FilmL.A.'s Board in 2005, after serving one year on our financial audit sub-committee. He replaces outgoing chairman Bryan Unger of the Directors Guild of America (DGA).
FilmL.A.'s 25-member board represents a range of stakeholders affected by on-location feature film, television and commercial production throughout the Los Angeles region. Members are from local neighborhoods, major studios, independent production companies, entertainment industry guilds and unions, business and civic organizations and film/TV production-related vendors.
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L.A.-Based Film Production Slips in '07
 There were fewer white trucks on the streets of Los Angeles in 2007.
Last year, uncertainty related to industry contract talks and a November walkout by Hollywood writers helped cast a long shadow over film production in L.A.
Overall filming levels in L.A. slipped one percent last year, with six of eight tracked production categories posting annual declines. Tepid performance for feature film, television and commercial production in the third quarter and fourth quarters all but erased the gains seen from January through June. Scripted production suffered most -- months before the Writers Guild strike forced many TV series to shut down mid-season, scripted TV projects and feature films were already tracking at a loss. By the end of 2007, the region's primary film production driver -- television -- saw its 24.7 percent mid-year growth halved to 12.9 percent. Feature film production declined an overall 6.4 percent -- the ninth annual decline for the category in eleven years. Meanwhile, commercial production stayed flat with a yearly loss of 0.2 percent.
FilmL.A.'s film production statistics are published quarterly. Those who wish to view detailed breakdowns of production activity by category or our year-end summary can do so through our website.
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Fresh Faces: Todd Lindgren
 After an extensive survey of industry, community and government stakeholders to the film permit process, FilmL.A. completed and adopted a three-year strategic plan in March 2007.
During the planning process, it became evident that we could better communicate with you, our stakeholders.
Implementing a major component of the strategic plan, FilmL.A. has hired a vice president of communications. Todd Lindgren is the first to fill this newly-created post and is charged with spearheading an integrated communications program.
"Todd is an ideal choice to help FilmL.A. deepen our relationships with the production industry and neighborhoods where filming occurs," said FilmL.A. President Steve MacDonald. "His insights will help us become a more effective advocate for everyone we serve."
Lindgren has broad experience in economic development, community, government and entertainment industry affairs. His prior experience includes serving in the administration of Mayor James K. Hahn as north valley area director as well as director of entertainment industry affairs and most recently as senior vice president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. |
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FilmL.A. Helps Local Community Organizations
 At the end of 2007, FilmL.A. saw an opportunity to support fellow community nonprofits by donating office furniture and equipment we could no longer use. We teamed up with iReuse to provide local organizations the means to continue offering free or low-cost resources to underserved communities.
The Braswell Rehabilitation Institute for Development of Growth and Educational Services, Inc. (B.R.I.D.G.E.S.), which provides housing and treatment services to adults with psychiatric and other disorders, was one of the beneficiaries of our donation. The Institute used the donated goods to furnish a new office and part of its community room for Wellness and Recovery Services. "Our buildings, equipment and furnishings are old, so our staff was immediately excited to put the furniture to good use," said Lori Pendroff, executive director of B.R.I.D.G.E.S.
Another recipient, St. Barnabas Senior Services, received donated equipment for its senior filmmaker class/crew -- a group of seniors learning to shoot and edit their own videos as a spin-off to St. Barnabas' Cyber Café.
"We're thrilled to be able to help other nonprofits in Los Angeles extend their reach to those who rely on their valuable services," said FilmL.A. President Steve MacDonald.
(photo: St. Barnabas Cyber Cafe Film Production Class) |
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City of Lancaster Partners with FilmL.A.
 On January 22, 2008, the City of Lancaster became the latest jurisdiction to contract with FilmL.A. for expedited film permitting and industry/community relations. Located in north Los Angeles County, Lancaster is home to many attractive filming locations including a City-owned baseball stadium, national soccer center and performing arts center. Lancaster was named the region's "Most Business-Friendly City" by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) and is the second new city client to partner with FilmL.A. in the last eight months.
The arrangement allows FilmL.A. to coordinate on-location film permits for the City of Lancaster and to combine Lancaster locations with others throughout the county onto a single multi-jurisdictional permit.
"This is a real win-win for Lancaster and the industry. It just makes sense," said FilmL.A. President Steve MacDonald. "Streamlining the process to film across borders is a great way to incentivize local production."
An overview of the requirements to film in Lancaster is available on FilmL.A.'s website. For more information about filming in Lancaster, please contact FilmL.A.'s north county film liaison, Pauline East. |
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Filming at the Port of Los Angeles Simplified
 As of January 2, 2008, FilmL.A., in collaboration with the Port of Los Angeles (also known as the Los Angeles Harbor Department), initiated a streamlined process for film permitting around the Port. Production companies interested in filming on-site will initially contact the Port of Los Angeles to check availability and obtain guidelines. However, the prior time-consuming process of filling out both a Port of Los Angeles and a FilmL.A. permit application has been simplified. The two forms have been merged into a single FilmL.A. application. Another new benefit is the ability of FilmL.A. to collect, verify and submit a film production's insurance information to the Port, thereby reducing the amount of contact a production representative must have with various City departments and enabling FilmL.A. to release a film permit for the Port as quickly and efficiently as possible.
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