Films, television shows, and commercials are created on streets where others live, work and play. As such, balancing the needs of filmmakers, residents and businesses is key to FilmL.A.’s mission. FilmL.A.’s Field Services Representatives (FSRs) provide community stakeholders and production companies with personal, ground level-support before production trucks ever roll into area neighborhoods.
FilmL.A. introduced its Notification service to the public in 1996, to provide advance Notices of Filming to communities where production happens. Since then, the Field Services Department has worked diligently to improve its level of service delivery, from adopting split-shift and weekend distribution schedules, to adopting live dispatch technology to reduce vehicle miles driven.
FilmL.A.’s FSRs hand-deliver Notices of Filming to all residential buildings and businesses within a minimum 500 foot radius of each film location, or within a 200 foot radius of still photography shoots and productions involving fewer than 15 people. The department also distributes supplemental eNotices in communities that request this option.
With two million Notices of Filming hand delivered annually, it’s not hard to see the department’s culture of commitment!
“FilmL.A.’s FSRs walk up to eight miles a day in all conditions, to keep community members informed of planned production activity in their areas,” relates Field Services Manager Krishna Asani. “This provides us with a key community touchpoint. FilmL.A. doesn’t distribute Neighborhood Filming Surveys — production companies and their representatives do that — so our work offers FilmL.A. its earliest opportunity to connect with neighbors and business owners, as well as answer questions regarding notices and provide points of contact in the event of concerns.”