Los Angeles is home to the world’s most talented filmmakers. Need proof? Consider the thousands of students who come to Los Angeles each year to enroll at one of our prestigious local film schools. FilmL.A. knows just how important student filmmakers are to local filming. Student films make up about seven percent of all permitted film production days (PPD) logged … Read More
Filming Without a Permit Could Really Cost You
In tough economic times, individuals, families and businesses find ways to slash budgets, streamline and “go without”. One such risky ploy to save money seems be happening more frequently — production companies “going without” a film permit. While pinching pennies is prudent, filming without a permit is illegal and can be costly. It’s been two years now since the Los … Read More
FilmL.A. to Offer Limited Student Access to Online Permit System (OPS)
In a move that is welcomed by local film schools, FilmL.A. is making plans to offer students limited access to its Online Permit System (OPS). By mid-September, student filmmakers working on graduate-level thesis projects will be able to use OPS instead of applying for their permits in person at FilmL.A.’s downtown office. The change is significant because this is the … Read More
2010 a “Golden Era” of Film Activity
There are many ways to track movie and television production, and some are more enlightening than others. One very flawed effort at tracking can be found in a United Nations (UNESCO) press release from 2009 that declared Nigeria had surpassed Hollywood as a film production center, based upon the number of films produced there. But on digging deeper, one finds … Read More
Guerrilla Filming: Skipping Permits to Pinch Pennies Can Cost Big Bucks
With the economy as it is, budgets are tight. Everyone is looking for ways to “tighten the belt” and save money. If you’re a filmmaker, it may seem like that’s always the case; cameras and lights cost money, crews cost money, production insurance costs money, etc., and of course you need to maximize every dollar. There are right and wrong … Read More