What They’re Saying: LA’s Entertainment Industry Commend Mayor Bass’ Appointment of Board of Public Works President Steve Kang as City Film Liaison

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LOS ANGELES - Leaders within Los Angeles' entertainment industry expressed their support for Mayor Bass' selection of a City Film Liaison to ensure Hollywood thrives:

Arlen Valdivia, Vice President of State Government Affairs, Motion Picture Association

"We appreciate Mayor Bass' continued support for the film, television, and streaming industry and are grateful for the appointment of President Kang to serve as City Film Liaison. We look forward to working with him on improving and enhancing the production experience in Los Angeles."

Entertainment Union Coalition (American Federation of Musicians, California IATSE Council, Directors Guild of America, LiUNA!724, SAG AFTRA, Teamsters Local 399, Writers Guild of America, West)

"We are glad Mayor Bass has filled this critical position of City Film Liaison, and we look forward to working with Public Works Board President Steve Kang and his team to ensure that filming in Los Angeles can meet the anticipated demand created by California's Film and Television Program 4.0. Los Angeles has the largest production infrastructure and the most skilled and talented crews, workers, and performers in the world. The State now benefits from an expanded and improved tax incentive. To build on these advantages, we now look to the City and County of Los Angeles, whose continued support and resources are integral to keeping this city the filming capital of the world, as it has been for the last 100 years."

Lindsay Dougherty, Teamsters Local 399 Principal Officer and Motion Picture Division Director

"Hollywood Teamsters are working alongside the Hollywood Unions and Guilds on a local and state level to stabilize our industry and get our members back to work. Mayor Bass' appointment of a dedicated Liaison is a great step forward to provide the industry a direct-line to address and streamline production work in Los Angeles. We look forward to working with Steve Kang to collaborate on the important and necessary solutions to keep our city, and heart of our industry, film friendly."

Wendy Greuel, Chair of the California Film Commission

"Mayor Bass' selection of President Kang as Liaison to the Film and TV Industry continues her longstanding commitment to keeping Hollywood jobs right here in Los Angeles. Since passing the first California Film and TV Tax Credit program when she was speaker of the State Assembly to signing local executive directives and appointing a City Film Liaison, Mayor Bass has centered LA's signature industry to protect jobs and keep creative opportunities right here at home."

Producer Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Chair of Mayor Bass' Entertainment Industry Council and Founder/CEO of The Gotham Group

"By installing a City Film Liaison, Mayor Bass is signaling her intention to continue to prioritize, support and fortify the Los Angeles film and television industry. President Kang knows the infrastructure of the city, knows the permitting process and knows how our local government works. Steve and his excellent team are ready to dive in and support Mayor Bass and her excellent team working hand in hand with the industry."

The appointment of President Kang, continues Mayor Bass' leadership on local policies and actions to ensure Los Angeles is a partner with the entertainment industry:

• Supported the historic doubling of the State Film & TV Tax Credit Programto $750 million, originally created under Mayor Bass when she was Speaker of the State Assembly.

• Celebrated the construction kickoff for Creators @ Laboratory - a transformative workforce development and content production hub located in South Los Angeles' Crenshaw Empowerment District.

• Issued Executive Directive 11in May 2025 which makes it easier for studios and independent producers alike to shoot movies, television shows, and commercials here in Los Angeles by lowering costs and streamlining processes for on-location filming, and increasing access to some of the city's most iconic locations.

• Established an Entertainment Industry Councilto draw on the expertise of industry leaders to keep production local.

• Promoted a customer service-oriented culture towards the industry through ensuring each relevant City department appointed a film liaison, and strategized on policies that keep production and jobs in Los Angeles through Executive Directive 8.

• Cut red tape and provided direct assistance with city departments to move studios and soundstages forward, bringing nearly 8 million square feet of soundstage, media production and associated creative office space in the pipeline within the City.