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With filming down, thus affecting the local economy, L.A. Councilmember Richard Alarcon this morning introduced a motion to explore the creation of a film commission. “Los Angeles needs an entity that can promote our city as a premiere filming destination and a Film Commission could do this as well promote the positive impacts of the industry to our communities," he said in a statement.
Alarcon's point is interesting. Los Angeles competes against other cities that currently have film commissions or offices--such as Santa Clarita and Fresno in California to New York, Toronto and Savannah further away--which market themselves as film friendly areas with money saving deals. Los Angeles, however, only has FilmLA, an agency contracted by the city to perform permitting services, community notifications and in take of complaints.
Question is, with most of the industry still living here, does Los Angeles (the city government) really need to market Los Angeles (it's film incentives and advantages) to Los Angeles (Hollywood)?
