Alludes to the NFL's Return to L.A.

L.A. Mayor Aims to Keep Production at Home

Los Angeles, CA—Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa pledged Thursday to lift all production fees for filming at downtown Los Angeles City Hall and regional city halls within the jurisdiction's vast surrounding areas.

Aiming to keep television and film production here in the "creative and entertainment capital of the world," Villaraigosa announced this proposal during a weekly news conference and suggested that the city enact a production tax incentive like that of New York City.

He added that he would like to see production fees for all city-owned properties waived and underscored local government's commitment to partnering with the television and film communities.  City council action is likely required before fees connected to such property can be eliminated.   

The economic benefits of such proposals far outweigh the loss of fees. A working television series typically yields around 180 jobs, according to the Hollywood Reporter. A feature film generally pumps $150,000-$200,000 each day into the local economy.

The mayor observed that the Los Angeles region holds the world's largest, most concentrated entertainment industry infrastructure, but warned that the city will "die on the vine," if this base is not nurtured and protected. Villaraigosa vowed that local administration would make "aggressive efforts" to provide incentives to combat runaway production and push further for currently-stalled, California state-level incentives as well.

On a related note, Villaraigosa alluded to the return of the National Football League to Los Angeles.  He mentioned a recent conversation NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue's office and crossed his fingers that an L.A. team would be announced within months.