Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Film Tv topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Filmmakers, unions and FilmLA back county plan to boost film and TV permits and reduce fees
Summary
Hundreds of industry workers and representatives urged the Board of Supervisors to approve a motion to streamline permitting, reduce fees and improve county coordination to bring production back to Los Angeles County; speakers said reform would protect middle‑class jobs and local vendors, and unions urged an immediate vote on the proposal.
Los Angeles film and television industry workers, unions and industry groups packed public testimony July 15 to urge the Board of Supervisors to approve a motion aimed at strengthening the county’s film and television permitting, coordination and infrastructure.
Supporters told the board the motion takes “smart, practical steps” — streamlining permitting, improving coordination between county departments, expanding access to public spaces and investing in infrastructure — that will help keep production in the county and protect thousands of jobs. Paul Audley, president of FilmLA, said FilmLA has been the county’s film permit office for three decades and expressed appreciation for the board’s “attention being paid to the support of this industry.” IATSE, Teamsters and camera and lighting guild representatives told supervisors they want concrete actions to reduce costs and bureaucratic delays that drive productions to other jurisdictions.
Speakers from multiple unions and vendor groups described the film economy’s broad local footprint — from grips and camera crews to caterers, truck vendors and small businesses — and said many local workers rely on production work for family‑sustaining wages. “There’s so many people that have been impacted by runaway production,” said Tommy Barra, who owns a waste and recycling business that services the entertainment industry. Unions including IATSE, the International Cinematographers Guild and the Teamsters emphasized that bringing production back would support union jobs, health coverage and local supply chains.
Several location managers and location assistants described the cost drivers they face, including fees for parking production trucks, requirements for sheriff deputies for certain permits, and onerous rules on sensitive conservation areas. “A lot of people that are in charge of the rules and the fees of what it costs to park a truck on the street, they have no idea how filmmaking works,” said location manager Travis Beck, and he urged supervisors to consult practitioners in designing reforms.
The motion on the board agenda calls for county departments to review permitting, streamline requirements where possible, improve interdepartmental coordination, and explore marketing and infrastructure steps to attract production to unincorporated areas and county properties. Speakers urged that the reforms be paired with investments so Los Angeles can compete with other cities offering financial incentives.
The board accepted public testimony on the item and placed the measure before the board for consideration; supervisors voiced general support in public comments. Next steps: departments will be asked to return with implementation plans, permit reforms and any resource needs identified by the board.
Ending note: Industry speakers framed the motion as an opportunity to preserve and expand local production jobs and vendor revenues, and they urged speedy county action to reverse “runaway production” trends.
