All of a sudden, TV producers want to make L.A. a star again

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Television location shoots in Los Angeles leaped 31.1 percent in the third quarter compared to the same three-month period last year.

Annlee Ellingson

Staff Writer- L.A. Biz

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For the second quarter in a row, television production was up in Los Angeles. FilmL.A. revealed that location shoots leaped 31.1 percent compared to the same three-month period last year with 5,363 total permitted production days. Feature production was down a smidge, though, by 4.0 percent with 1,881 PPD.

According to the nonprofit film office that issues filming permits, TV production was up in nearly every category. Dramas increased 43.2 percent to 1,408 PPD; reality shows 49.2 percent to 2,019 PPD; web-based TV 12.3 percent to 401 PPD; and pilots 40.8 percent to 138 PPD. Only sitcoms declined by 29.0 percent to 367 PPD. Several programs receiving tax credits contributed to the increase in production days, with the locally shot "Rizzoli & Isles," "Pretty Little Liars," "Major Crimes," "Perception" and "Legends" all benefiting from incentives.

Though on-location feature production was down a bit, the decline could have been steeper, as incentivized projects contributed 157 PPD — or 8.3 percent of on-location shooting — during the quarter. "Straight Outta Compton," "Never Leave," "Scouts vs. Zombies," "Into the Further" and "The Perfect Guy" all are shot on location in Los Angeles and are receiving tax credits from California's program.

"While we are still trying to reclaim our share of television production, we're encouraged by dramatic television producers' interest in filming in Los Angeles," said FilmL.A. president Paul Audley. "With the new tax credit taking effect next July, we see strong potential for growth in local TV work ahead."

In August, Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation that more than triples California's film tax credit to $330 million and expands its benefits to big-budget Hollywood movies and network dramas.