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Filming in LA Is Coming Back After a Slow Strike Summer (And Fall)
Exterior of the SAG-AFTRA Labor union building on Wilshire boulevard in Los Angeles, CA.
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Topline:
On-location filming for scripted TV came to a screeching halt during the SAG-AFTRA strike this summer and fall. But now that the strike is over, is starting up again, according to FilmLA.
How many permits: FilmLA has already issued six permits for on-location filming in Los Angeles, according to the agency's president Paul Audley.
The backstory: The third quarter of 2023 saw a 99% reduction in permits issued for scripted TV series compared to last year. Reality show production made up 97% of television production during that time, according to FilmLA's report. But even before the strike, on-location filming had been on the decline for almost two years.
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What this means for new shows: "We're getting a lot of inquiries and a lot of people reaching out about availability of facilities like the beaches and some city properties," FilmLA president Paul Audley said. "But I don't think we'll actually see the work at any kind of scale until we hit January."
What's next: Audley said FilmLA will be watching in the coming months to see if and how production for movies and television bounces back. They'll also be watching to see how auxiliary businesses, like lumber suppliers and costume warehouses, have weathered the work stoppage.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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