Company Town to premiere chart detailing Los Angeles production
Tomorrow, Company Town will debut "On Location," a chart tracking film and television production activity in and around Los Angeles. The chart, which will appear in print and online, gives a sampling of upcoming films, TV shows and commercials that are scheduled for on-location filming across the city and county. It will also include a weekly tally comparing production activity to the same period a year ago.
Why the chart? On-location filming is one of the underpinnings of the local entertainment economy. And, as the lifeblood of scores of businesses that supply the industry -- caterers, equipment rental shops, prop houses -- it is a key source of employment for thousands of people.
The chart will not only point up the scope of local production, but also highlight how L.A. is struggling to keep movies and TV shows like ABC's "Ugly Betty" from leaving Hollywood. Feature film production recently dropped to its lowest level on record, largely reflecting the flow of production to other, cheaper locales outside California.
More than 30 states now offer tax credits and rebates to lure filmmakers, a fact that was highlighted recently when the California legislature adopted its first-ever film tax credits. Companies can begin applying for California credits next month. Whether it will work remains to be seen. Look to "On Location" for clues.
-- Richard Verrier
