Photo by David Condrey on Unsplash
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - On-location filming in greater Los Angeles decreased 3.5 percent in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the same time period in 2016, but is still far above where the industry was five years ago, according to a report released today by FilmL.A.
The slowdown was attributed to a drop in reality TV programming, which is down 20.4 percent and continues to be pushed out by a shift to scripted content, as well as a decline in student filming over the summer, according to the nonprofit film office for the city and county of Los Angeles.
``It is important to note that despite a year-over-year decline in numbers for the third quarter, on-location production counts are over 16 percent higher than five years ago. Quarterly changes aside, we've seen L.A. area film production stabilize at a high level,'' FilmL.A. President Paul Audley said. ``That brings a steadier employment picture for area cast and crew, and relief to local small business owners happy to see filming come back.''
Here are some of the report's key findings:
-- feature production rose 7.6 percent, yielding 1,172 shoot days;
-- commercial production rose 7.2 percent, yielding 1,335 shoot days;
-- TV drama production increased 4.1 percent to 1,231 shoot days, which was the first quarterly increase seen this year; and
-- on-location filming counts are more than 16 percent higher than five years ago.