FilmLA: Film and TV Production in L.A. Plummeted 97.8% April to June

(Image credit: AT&T)

LOS ANGELES—FilmLA, the partner film office for the City and County of Los Angeles and other local jurisdictions, reported this week that overall on-location production declined 97.8% during the April-June quarter, compared to a year ago. The county’s lockdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic resulted in just 194 “Shoot Days” during the quarter, marking the lowest filming levels on record. By State and County order, production remained shut down from March 20 to June 15.

Although State and County officials gave film production the green light to resume in late June, the return to work to-date has been gradual and cautious, FilmLA said. The COVID-19 pandemic affected all industry sectors in the second quarter, including the region’s primary production sector, television (down 98.2% to 52 SD) and secondary production sector, commercials (down 95.5% to 58 SD). Feature film production, the third-largest industry segment also took a hit (down 99.7% to 3 SD).

(Image credit: FilmLA)

“The first shutdowns we saw in March were voluntary, and it was hoped they could be temporary,” FilmLA said. “Looking back, it was hard to imagine the impact the pandemic would have on entertainment projects in progress, and the economic security of local cast, crew, and production vendors.

“The good news is that production is starting to responsibly return, with advertising shoots, commercials and limited television production now coming online. All permitted filming must comply with Health Orders as issued by County authorities. The measure of compliance we’re seeing is a real help in keeping the industry on the road to recovery.”

Tom Butts

Tom has covered the broadcast technology market for the past 25 years, including three years handling member communications for the National Association of Broadcasters followed by a year as editor of Video Technology News and DTV Business executive newsletters for Phillips Publishing. In 1999 he launched digitalbroadcasting.com for internet B2B portal Verticalnet. He is also a charter member of the CTA's Academy of Digital TV Pioneers. Since 2001, he has been editor-in-chief of TV Tech (www.tvtech.com), the leading source of news and information on broadcast and related media technology and is a frequent contributor and moderator to the brand’s Tech Leadership events.