L.A. gets a bite of the Big Apple

It was a scene that would have surely made New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg cringe.

On Monday afternoon, dozens of mock New York yellow cabs and buses, along with NYPD police cars and Lincoln Town limos with New York license plates, cruised down Spring Street in front of City Hall. A giant crane hoisting two 20-foot lighting screens diffused the bright sunlight casting down on the faces of actors Rob Morrow and Maura Tierney. In all, 179 extras and 37 vehicles were enlisted for an unusually elaborate scene for the upcoming ABC drama “The Whole Truth.”

The TV series, chronicling the way a case is built from the point of view of both prosecutors and the defense, is set in New York. Yet, it’s being filmed in Los Angeles and is one of two new dramas, along with Dick Wolf’s latest “Law & Order” spinoff, that began shooting here on city streets this week, giving a much-needed boost to local television production.

“The Whole Truth,” produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Warner Bros. Television, is the latest New York-themed series to film in the City of Angels, joining “CSI: NY” and the former long-running sitcom “Seinfeld.” For its part, New York lured away ABC TV’s show “Ugly Betty” from L.A. two years ago, creating an uproar in the local production community.

“The Whole Truth" is certain to heighten the rivalry between the cities and, along with "Law & Order: Los Angeles," help blunt the steady falloff in dramatic TV production over the past year due to the proliferation of reality TV, competition from other states, and the cancellation of locally produced shows, including the long-running series as Fox’s “24” and CBS’ “Numb3rs” and “Heroes”.

Although filming on the streets of Los Angeles jumped 16% across all categories (including commercials and features) in the second quarter, spurred by the state’s tax incentive program and economic recovery, filming of TV dramas fell 38%. Early indications, including a strong pilot season, suggest local TV drama production will pick, up in the second half of the year. NBC is putting on more dramas to fill the 10 p.m. slot after moving Jay Leno back to late night.

“We lost a few really location heavy shows and we’re glad to see incoming dramas utilize L.A. locations,’’ said Todd Lindgren, spokesman for FilmL.A. Inc., the nonprofit group that coordinates film permits for the city and much of the county. “We’re hoping these productions will help restore some health to the dramas category.”

Jonathan Littman, executive producer of “The Whole Truth” and president of Jerry Bruckheimer Television, said L.A. was the clear choice for the show. The company "works hard to keep their shows in Los Angeles in order to help the local economy and to keep industry jobs in town,'' he said. "It is also a huge advantage for us to be in close proximity to our actors and production team.”

 “The Whole Truth” is expected to feature on-location shots throughout L.A.,  including the scene in front of City Hall, which was standing in for the New York City Criminal Court in Manhattan. “We’re trying to make it like a busy New York street,’’ said location manager Veronique Vowell.

That included little touches like adding a New York newspaper stand and subway signs, injecting steam from sidewalk vents, parking a Con Ed truck in front of City Hall  and using cut brush and plants to conceal palm trees and banana leaves straddling the entrance.

“It’s a challenge,’’ Vowell said. “New York doesn’t have bougainvillea and palm trees.”

-- Richard Verrier

Photos: Crew members work to film a new television series called "The Whole Truth" with New York City taxicabs in front of City Hall in Los Angeles. Credit: John W. Adkisson / Los Angeles Times

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"Transformers" takes over L.A.'s streets

Universal Studios backlot gets a makeover

Captain America will be filmed in...London?

 

Comments

[Alex "Sonny" Reyes]

People from NY know when the city is being faked. I remember watching CSI: New York and V, all set in NY, looking like LA or Vancouver. There are some places that can't be replicated. Better off with CGI.

[Mr_unknown]

yeah...look at Heroes.. even the cast admitted it was difficult to pretend they were in New York

[Publicpolicy]

I saw the "NYPD Blue" crew shooting in downtown LA back during that series' run, so "The Whole Truth" isn't exactly the most brazen example of LA standing in for NYC.

[roy]

Mayor Bloomberg need not be too concerned about The Whole Truth being shot in LA. I've seen the pilot. The show is not going to be on very long.

[Shawn]

CASTLE is also filming in LA... and it´s a NY-themed series...

[DG3]

More jobs for the area.

[milquetoast]

This is what we do. This is our industry. It doesn't get "bailed out" when it fails... so, when I see this kind of production where it belongs I don't give a sh** where it's supposed to be based or how authentic it looks to transplants! There's at least one production in NY that is based on Los Angeles- now, can you imagine how ridiculous it would be for NY to emulate L. A.? THAT, is pathetic. Also, "Taking a bite out of NY" is one of the top ten most embarrassing things ever to be said and it should be discontinued.