Mayor Bass Announces New Pilot Program to Support Film Productions Across Los Angeles

En Español

한국어

The Department of Transportation Is Offering a 20% Discount at 100+ LADOT-Owned Parking Lots Citywide

LOS ANGELES - Mayor Bass today joined Councilmember Adrin Nazarian and leaders in LA's entertainment industry to unveil a new pilot program to directly support film productions of all sizes in Los Angeles. As a result of her Executive Directive 11, the Department of Transportation is offering a 20% discount on LADOT-owned parking lots citywide. B-roll and photos available here.

"While past City leaders turned their backs on the entertainment industry, my administration is changing course by making the success of our local film productions a priority," said Mayor Bass. "With partners like Councilmember Nazarian and our local industry leaders, we're turning conversations into action and creating good-paying, union jobs that will bolster our local economy. The bottom line is this - I will never let anyone take away our place as the entertainment capital of the world."

"In the last year I've pushed seven motions through the City Council to streamline regulations and revitalize filming in L.A.," said City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian. "I've got eight more in committee right now, including the L.A. Creator Pass Program that waives City fees for the missing middle of independent film production. People tell me the Hollywood dream factory is dying. I say 'Not on my watch!'"

The Department of Transportation is launching a 20% parking discount at 100+ LADOT managed parking lots. A significant barrier for productions of all sizes is the costs to park the equipment, trucks, star wagons and trailers needed for filming. This pilot will make it easier and more affordable for productions to operate across Los Angeles while also ensuring smooth day-to-day operations for residents and businesses.

Mayor Bass toured the construction site of Echelon Studios Hollywood, a brand new studio lot that will deliver a 600,000 sqft, full-service studio lot. The dynamic studio design will offer soundstages, production offices and sweeping views of the Hollywood Hills. Expected to open at the end of the year, permits for Echelon Studios Hollywood were expedited through concierge-level service that began under Mayor Bass to support studio development across Los Angeles.

The City and LADOT will use this pilot program to gather data to better understand the workability of the program to make it sustainable for the long-term. The City's Transportation Commission is expected to approve the pilot program at their May 14th meeting. The discount would apply to productions using a lot for up to one week per location.

Investing in L.A.'s Signature Industry

Additional progress to bolster the entertainment industry under Mayor Bass' Executive Directive 11 includes:

• Filming fees at the Griffith Observatory have been slashed by 70%.

• The Central Library has reopened for filming after more than a decade.

• The Port of Los Angeles has cut in half the time it takes to review filming applications.

• The LA Department of Transportation (LADOT) has extended staff hours to ensure timely on-street signage posting requests and changes for local productions.

• LADOT has pre-approved certain closures in Downtown L.A., allowing FilmLA to authorize curb lanes and local street closures in accordance with established guidelines.

• LAPD has identified activity and locations where the assignment of personnel can either be waived or decreased since the Mayor's directive took effect.

Additionally, the appointment of Board of Public Works President Steve Kang as the Mayor's Liaison to the Film and Television Industry has streamlined many of the day-to-day barriers that productions face in Los Angeles. By providing a concierge-style service and addressing issues directly as they arise, the Mayor's Liaison ensures that productions receive timely support and that the City remains a film-friendly partner.

Mayor Bass recently took executive action to welcome productions like Baywatch back to Los Angeles. This follows Mayor Bass' advocacy for the historic passage of Governor Newsom's expanded Film & TV Tax Credit Program. Additionally, Mayor Bass has joined Cinespace and East End Studios to celebrate the grand opening of their new campuses in Los Angeles.

Mayor Bass has championed LA's signature industry since she was Speaker of the State Assembly, overseeing the passage of the Inaugural Film and TV Tax Credit Program. Now as Mayor, she has used her authority to focus on streamlining city processes and delivering excellent customer service so that creators and crews can do what they do best - in the city that does it best.

Mayor Bass also established an Entertainment Industry Council to draw on the expertise of industry leaders and issued Executive Directive 8 to support the industry locally, including establishing monthly task force meetings with key departments and industry stakeholders and requiring all departments to have a designated liaison for film and TV production.