[NoHo Arts District, CA] – City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian (District 2) introduced nine motions, taking action to save film and TV jobs and “Keep Hollywood Home.”
City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian (District 2) introduced nine motions in Council today, designed to revitalize L.A.’s film and television industry by streamlining the City’s permitting process and removing unnecessary obstacles to filming in Los Angeles.
“Los Angeles is the historic home of the film and television industry,” said Councilmember Nazarian. “Hollywood made Los Angeles a magnet for talent from all over the world and created a culture of innovation and creativity that has driven technological progress. For too long we took our signature industry for granted and allowed other cities and countries to attract production and take away the jobs that so many L.A. families depend on.”
Earlier this year, the City Council approved Nazarian’s motion requesting reports and recommendations from multiple City departments on streamlining the permitting process for location filming in Los Angeles. Last month, these reports were submitted to the Council.
The Keep Hollywood Home motions introduced by Councilmember Nazarian were developed though months of consultation with producers, unions and rank-and-file production workers. They include the following:
- Remove unnecessary location monitoring requirements, reduce redundant fees for security services and replace sworn police and fire personnel with qualified civilians where appropriate
- Reduce fees for access to City facilities for location filming
- Create a free Microshoot Permit for student films, low-budget commercials and other productions using minimal crews and equipment in public spaces
- Require all relevant departments to report on their compliance with Mayor’s Executive Order 11 to facilitate film production and eliminate permitting delays
- Request the City Controller to audit costs and performance of film-related work by all relevant agencies and FilmLA
- Create a Citywide Film Business Directory listing vendors, and facilities serving the industry, and a City-operated tour of historic film locations in Los Angeles
- Repeal special filming conditions that were imposed years ago on certain neighborhoods
- Fast-track approvals and licensing of sound stages and production facilities
- Create a Memorandum of Understanding with the County and neighboring cities to standardize rules and practices across the County
Councilmember Nazarian plans to introduce still more reforms in the coming year. “This is a fight to keep the jobs of our families, friends and neighbors here in Los Angeles, where they belong,” said Nazarian. “If you own or work in a small business in L.A., film and television workers are among your best customers. When their jobs move out of state, you lose their business. Let’s not lose the beating heart of Los Angeles. Keep Hollywood Home!”
(Text of all motions will be posted at cd2.lacity.gov.)
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