Innovations

Created in 1996, FilmLA’s Notification Program provides uniform, advance Notices of Filming to nearby homes and businesses in person and by email. By simply giving neighbors and businesses a heads-up, the program reduces complaints and removes the first barrier to filming in a neighborhood.

When popular filming locations get overused, communities can push back. FilmLA’s Monitor Program, launched in 1998, provides ground-level reassurance to filmmakers and communities where filming happens. The presence of Monitors also secures approvals from the government authorities for extra filming days, overnight hours, exceptional activity, and more. With FilmLA Monitors on the ground, filmmakers get more flexibility, fewer obstacles, and better access to in-demand locations.

FilmLA’s Solution Services team has offered filmmakers free production planning aid since 2005. To get the 411 on your filming locations, help in getting to “yes,” and lowering your overall permit costs, contact FilmLA.

In 2010, FilmLA launched Film Works, the region’s first pro-filming public education campaign. With its memorable slogan, “Reel Jobs Are Real Jobs,” the initiative spotlighted the film industry’s vital role in California’s culture and economy. In 2020, the LA Loves Film campaign carried that mission forward with a celebratory spirit. Now, with the creation of the FilmLA Foundation in 2025, exciting new campaigns are on the horizon.

In 2013, FilmLA’s pro-active community relations expanded via our Outreach and Education team. Team members are out in the field, actively engaging with communities where filming happens. They gather key location intel, resolve filming concerns, and forge strong relationships with community leaders and organizations. On a daily basis, our team advocates for a better filming experience in Los Angeles neighborhoods.

For 30 years, FilmLA has equipped the film industry, government policymakers and community leaders with timely production data to guide their decisions. Established in 2012, FilmLA Research expanded this work, tracking occupancy and filming activity across studio sound stages and backlots with the aid of our Studio Partners. Today, FilmLA Research generates seven reports each year:

• Local Production Reports, released quarterly
• Sound Stage Studies, released biannually
• The Scripted Content Study, released annually

Introduced in the fall of 2021, MyFilmLA revolutionized the film permit process. Today, every step, from application intake, to government approval and permit release, is handled within our online permitting system, MyFilmLA.

Since its launch,  FilmLA has applied the system’s built-in GIS capabilities to anticipate and reduce the filming impact on communities.

Two years later, we expanded MyFilmLA to include school filming licenses, making it faster and easier for filmmakers to access school locations.

Click below for more information on MyFilmLA’s features.