Study finds production of TV pilots flying out of Hollywood

Industry News :: Study finds production of TV pilots flying out of Hollywood

LOS ANGELES - Television pilot production for the upcoming season fell more than 23 percent from last year's levels, costing more than 1,000 jobs and draining up to $70 million from the local economy, a new study concludes.

Twenty-five other states have used tax incentives to lure away pilot production, which takes place from February through May, according to FilmL.A. Inc., a private group that promotes the city's film and television business.

"They're not doing it to give away money to rich movie stars; they're doing it because they get jobs and tax revenue that comes in other ways," said FilmL.A. President Steve MacDonald. "And when they move, the stars and the studio guys make out just fine. It's the middle-class jobs here that get lost."

In 2005, Los Angeles hosted 105 pilot projects, which represented 85 percent of those filmed. In 2006, the number of pilots fell to 81 and city's share slumped to 68 percent.

New York City and Canada lured the most pilots - 11 each - while Washington, D.C. got three, according to the FilmL.A. report.

A spokeswoman for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said the report is alarming to the region.

"The entertainment industry is one of our economic engines," Diana Rubio said. "It is an industry that creates and pays a high wage to our residents, and other states are doing all they can to lure this business."

Since Villaraigosa took office 11 months ago, the city has waived the $300 to $500 daily fee for filming at City Hall and other municipal buildings. The city can't offer any other incentives but the mayor has said he supports state legislation that would give tax credits to companies filming in California.

Film productions also are relocating outside Los Angeles in increasing numbers, said Jack Kyser, chief economist of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp.

"These are definitely jobs we want to hang onto," Kyser said. "With TV pilots, especially, because if you get a hit that goes on forever, it'll be like a jobs annuity."

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