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L.A. Council OKs Measures to Boost Film Production

The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved a host of measures aimed at curbing runaway film production. The measures, drafted by a committee on film and TV production jobs chaired by San Fernando Valley Councilman Paul Krekorian, include a five-year extension on a waiver of fees charged for filming at city-owned or city-controlled properties, such as libraries, airports, police department facilities and City Hall. The waiver, which was enacted in 2006 and already extended once, had expired at the end of June. City Hall has served as a set for television shows such as “Scandal” and “The West Wing,” as well as movies including “Chinatown” and “Mission Impossible 3.” “We are working hard to send a strong signal to the rest of country that Los Angeles is going to fight for good jobs and fight to make sure Los Angeles production stays here,” said Krekorian, adding that the fee waiver will be especially helpful to lower-budget productions. “It’s going to make a significant difference for middle-class jobs, and for small businesses who benefit when there is a location shoot nearby and lose when they go elsewhere.” City departments are being asked to create a list of city-owned properties that can be used as locations for shoots or as coveted parking locations while productions take place elsewhere, he added. Other measures approved will coordinate film permitting across city departments and train staff to better serve production companies. Additionally, anyone who obtains a film permit will now receive a customer service survey. “This will create a continuous feedback loop from the customers we are serving so we will know what we can be doing better,” Krekorian said.

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