Los Angeles: Where Filming Fees Are Sky-High and Taxpayers Foot the Bill

Los Angeles is known for its glamour, but behind the scenes, filming here comes with a hefty price tag. The city's high permit fees and strict regulations are driving producers away.

Excessive Fees

• 2019 Example: An independent filmmaker paid $1,500 a day for a fire marshal to inspect his shoot location in Griffith Park. The marshal did little more than sit in his car and do crossword puzzles.

• Additional Fees:
• $931 permit application fee
• $2,964 for a monitor from the Department of Parks and Recreation
• $456 reporting fee
• $1,350 film use fee

Total: Over $10,000 in fees for a small production with no major stunts or lighting.

Impact on Filmmakers

• Drop in Shoot Days: In just three years, shoot days in Los Angeles dropped from 9,220 per quarter to just 4,380.
• Small Productions: One filmmaker had to pay for two police officers and a site representative for a shoot in a private bathroom. The officers cost $1,500 a day, increasing the filmmaker's personnel costs by 30%.

City's Solution

The city's solution? Tax credits for big studios. Major productions like "Bel-Air" and "Fallout" can absorb these costs, thanks to tax incentives approved by California legislators. But smaller productions still have to pay high fees.

Call to Action

Instead of lowering fees, the city is shifting the burden to taxpayers. It's time for a change.

• Permits should be affordable and straightforward.
• Fines and insurance requirements should be enough to ensure productions don't disrupt or damage locations.

It's time to end the shakedown and make filming in Los Angeles fair for everyone.