FilmL.A. Releases 2011 Television Pilot Production Report

Today FilmL.A. released the fourth installment of its Television Pilot Production Report.  The 2011 report caps six years of ongoing research into television pilot production and  provides the most encompassing available look at TV pilot production by location and pilot production’s impact on the Los Angeles region’s economy.

Those with an interest in reading the full report can access it here via FilmL.A.’s website.  Some of the most notable findings in the report include:

• More pilots were produced during the 2010/2011 development cycle than in any prior period of study.  The 169 pilots represent a 31 percent increase in total projects compared to the last development cycle.

• Production of cable pilots has increased 250 percent in just three years!  More cable pilots were produced during the ‘10/’11 development cycle than in any prior period of study.  Slightly more than half of all pilots in development are now produced for cable networks.

• Los Angeles’ share of overall pilot production continues to slip.  Although this year’s boost in overall pilot production did benefit Los Angeles, the region’s share of all pilot production slipped to just 51 percent, far below the 82 percent share L.A. claimed just six years earlier.

• This year Los Angeles is set to lose out on a considerable amount of series production work.  Recent show cancellations and a weak showing in television drama series pickups means on-location production in Los Angeles is likely to decrease, at least in the short term.

“While it comes as no surprise that L.A. would net a lot of comedy pilots and shows this year, to be passed over for new drama pilot and series production is troubling,” said FilmL.A. President Paul Audley of the findings.

“We can thank the local studio base and vast availability of local soundstages as reasons comedies locate in Los Angeles,” Audley continued, “but until our state regains its competitive edge, the threat of television job and spending losses is quite real.”

FilmL.A. staffers Todd Lindgren, Philip Sokoloski and Corina Sandru contributed to the 2011 report.