On-location filming for movies in Los Angeles edges up, but TV and commercials still way off

Is the local drought in feature production coming to an end? Maybe not, but the latest data for on-location filming provides at least a glimmer of hope. Filming for on-location movie production in L.A. edged up 15% last week over the same week a year ago, when studios were winding down their filming in anticipation of a possible walkout by members of the Screen Actors Guild. Among the movies that began filming last week is "Cats & Dogs 2," a sequel to the Warner Bros. animal comedy. Still, in a grim reminder of the recession's toll, shoots for television shows and commercials fell 50% and 48%, respectively, below year-ago levels, according to the latest data from FilmL.A. Inc. See the chart below.

-- Richard Verrier