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
Filmmakers Heading Back to School
Summer is here, and the students are at home, but it’s back to school again for many local filmmakers. Thanks in part to the marketing efforts of FilmL.A., and also thanks to a recently family-centric TV programming mix, filmmaker interest in area school properties is strong. FilmL.A. currently serves five area school districts, providing each with full-service film license coordination, … Read More
FilmL.A. — There at the “Inception”
Currently, the top box office draw is Inception, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. And while the film shot scenes in a number of countries and cities, Angelenos who see the film should recognize many scenes that were filmed on-location in L.A. FilmL.A.’s Production Planning Team was instrumental in providing the Inception filmmakers with early assurance that logistically challenging shoots could be accomplished … Read More
Support for Film Industry Does Not Negate Its Responsibilities
Filmmakers are seeing a lot to like about Los Angeles these days. Not since the City and County of Los Angeles collaborated to create FilmL.A. and streamline the film permit process in 1995 has the City shown such a concerted effort to support the filmed entertainment industry. However, recognizing the importance of the film industry does not negate the responsibility … Read More
New Docs Make it Easy to Ensure You’re Insured
Like any business venture, making a feature film, television show or commercial brings liability and risk. Accordingly, before starting an application for a film permit, one needs to start shopping for insurance. But how much insurance should filmmakers buy and who/what does it have to cover? FilmL.A. and the City of Los Angeles are working to accelerate permit processing by … Read More