In our last feature on the state of production in NYC, we reported that NYC is reclaiming its glory as a prime location for production. On the flip side, FilmL.A. is reporting a decline in both feature film and TV commercial production for 2006. According to FilmL.A., feature film production fell over 7 percent. In parallel, commercial production fell nearly 3.4 percent. That’s the first year-to-year decline since 2000, when SAG and AFTRA flexed their muscle with a commercial strike. Coincidentally, FilmL.A. President Steve MacDonald called the drop a result of tax-incentives from other states and countries. “Commercial producers are increasingly opting for lower-cost locations overseas and in other U.S. states.”
As you recall New York’s ‘Made in NY’ program helped renew interest in filming NY based shows in NY. MacDonald alludes to this in stating, “A growing number of states are luring production and the high paying jobs generated by the entertainment industry.”
Don’t count L.A. out-of-the-picture yet folks. The L.A. production industry supports an estimated 240,000 jobs and infuses the states economy with nearly $30 billion. On a side note, sitcom productions gained 12.6 percent and dramas were up 6.2 percent.
