Earlier this year, we reported on the Southern California expansion plans currently underway by Paramount, Disney and NBCUniversal. Each studio’s project means billions invested in the local economy and, more importantly, tens of thousands of jobs. In the coming months, Film Works will follow up on each plan as they progress with in-depth articles. First up, NBCUniversal. Earlier this month, … Read More
Santa Monica Movie Studio “Xcited” About the Future
Whenever we hear about an entertainment business committed to growing and expanding its presence in the Golden State, we like to pay them a visit. And, when Film Works learned that Lee Brownstein, founder of Santa Monica-based XcitableBoy Productions, made the gutsy decision to expand during one of the slowest film production periods on record, we knew that he and … Read More
Dearth of Local TV Production Delivers Double-Digit Letdowns for L.A.
Last week, FilmL.A. released its first quarter film production report for 2012. Unfortunately, the news was anything but rosy for those who work in on-location television production in Los Angeles. Overall filming across all categories slipped 2.1 percent last quarter compared to the same period last year, as measured in permitted production days (PPD). FilmL.A. recorded 11,360 PPD for Q1 … Read More
Star Waggons: A Star for the Local Economy
If Star Waggons’ Jason Waggoner had his way, celebrities would say “I’ll be in my Star Waggon” instead of, “I’ll be in my trailer.” Started by Jason’s father, Lyle Waggoner, in the early 1980s, Star Waggons is a local manufacturing and equipment rental powerhouse with an impressive fleet of over 800 custom-built film trailers. That’s right, the bulk of the … Read More
Local On-Location Filming Activity Sees Slight Rise in 2011
Last year brought both good news and a disconcerting surprise for those who work in Los Angeles’ film and television industry. Overall, on-location production increased 4.2 percent in 2011 compared to 2010 (45,484 PPD in 2011 vs. 43,646 PPD in 2010), but the gain conceals a troubling emerging trend in local TV production. A dismal fourth-quarter showing caused on-location television … Read More