A modern City of Los Angeles landmark – a subject of fascination for photographers, cinematographers and skyline muralists – is poised for a new turn in the spotlight under a City of Los Angeles pilot program.
Downtown Los Angeles’ Sixth Street Bridge & Viaduct, the unique Ribbon of Light that connects the Arts District and Boyle Heights communities, will return to small and silver screens as it reopens to filming involving full closures, from August 1 through the end of December.
Expanded filmmakers access to the Sixth Street Bridge is the result of a year-long collaboration involving FilmLA Permit Operations leadership, the office of Mayor Karen Bass, the office of Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, the Board of Public Works, other City approvers and community organizations.
Though the bridge has hosted large-scale special events since it reopened to pedestrian and vehicle traffic, full closures for film have generally not been allowed. A small number of productions achieved expanded access to the bridge recently, to test this idea.
“Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world, and we are committed to making it easier for filmmakers to create right here in the city where the industry was born,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “This pilot program restores filmmaker access to one of our city’s most iconic landmarks through a thoughtful framework that supports production, protects surrounding neighborhoods, and creates good-paying jobs for Angelenos. I thank FilmLA, Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, various City departments, and our industry partners for coming together to make this new chapter for the Sixth Street Bridge possible.”
Under the new arrangement, filmmakers wishing to use the bridge for filming must work around planned events, construction, and maintenance. Full closures are limited to two film events per month, conducted on the first and third weekend of the month, and never in conjunction with closure of the 4th and 7th street bridges, for any reason. Community Filming Surveys and notification procedures are also required. A full set of Film Process Guidelines for industry access to the bridge is now available in the FilmLA Knowledge Base.
The bridge’s predecessor held supporting roles in numerous feature films, television series and commercial productions over its approximately eight-decade life. Memorable scenes from feature films like “Grease (1978), “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991), “Drive” (2011), and “the Dark Knight Rises” (2012) plus television shows and music videos, anchor the location in our hearts and history.
Just before the old bridge closed to filming forever in January, 2016, the bridge was honored at a Farewell Festival and Concert sponsored by FilmLA. Demolition commenced on February 5, 2016, marking the end of one filmmaker era and eventually, the dawn of a new.
“Through ongoing efforts to highlight how LA loves film and thrives when filming is supported, FilmLA is excited to begin a new area of filming at this iconic location,” said FilmLA’s Director of Permit Operations & Field Services Krishna Asani.
To discuss your filming plans and access to the Sixth Street Bridge or other City of Los Angeles locations, FilmLA’s Solution Service team is here to assist at info@filmla.com and 213-977-8600.
