A group trying to keep more film and TV productions in Los Angeles wants a major rewrite of the permitting process.
The city’s contract with FilmLA, a nonprofit tasked with handling film permits, is up for renewal. Some industry insiders don’t want FilmLA to remain the sole permit provider, accusing the organization of refusing to engage in meaningful reforms.
“My organization and I have spent this time talking to the city council, talking to the mayor's office, bringing 50 concrete permitting changes that will bring jobs back in the entertainment industry to Los Angeles,” said producer Kate Holguin with Stay in L.A. “FilmLA was invited to these meetings, did not show up.”
One change they want is tiered permit pricing, so smaller productions don't have to pay the same amount as major studio productions.
“One of the biggest pain points for everyone is the fact that FilmLA does not offer tiered permit fee processing,” said showrunner Noelle Stehman. “Everything costs the same, whether you are a micro-budget or a studio film. That is unsustainable. That is why a lot of these productions are leaving L.A.”
Stehman said she met with FilmLA in April and asked about tiered permitting, and they said it’s “not something really that we’re considering.”
“I find that to be hugely problematic,” she said. “If they, as they said, are interested in participating in this process, how can they ignore one of the top pain points that is driving people out of L.A.?”
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Stay in L.A. says there are other companies that are more flexible that can take over the permitting process.
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