New FilmL.A. production data reveals that local on-location feature film production dropped 38 percent between July and September, as compared to the same period last year. The year-over-year decline from 1,897 to 1,181 permitted production days (PPD) is due to a string of unusually early project wraps; many producers chose to start their projects ahead of mid-year contract deadlines.
Permitted days of on-location commercial production also dropped in the third quarter, down 24 percent from 1,434 days to 1,095 days in the wake of cuts in advertising spending. This year has proven to be tough for commercial producers working in Los Angeles; overall the category is down 8.9 percent year-to-date.
Meanwhile, television saw gains of 17 percent, from 5,950 days to 6,959 days for the quarter, driven by strong showings for dramas and reality shows. Within TV’s sub-categories, television dramas posted the largest gain – up 23 percent. Reality television followed with a 14 percent gain, while sitcoms and pilots dropped 7 percent and 45 percent, respectively.
Buoyed by television’s strong showing, total permitted days of on-location filming decreased just one percent for the quarter, from 13,072 days in 2007 to 12,948 days this year. Production remains flat year-to-date, up less than one-half percent over 2007.
