TV drives growth in on-location production in Los Angeles

MUMBAI: On-location filming in the Los Angeles area was up 9 per cent in the second quarter, thanks to a boost from television production and web-based shows, according to Film L.A.

Film L.A. declared Q2 a period of recovery for filming on location in the city, as a five-year analysis shows consistent under-performance in key TV subcategories. Film L.A.?s television category grew 26.6 per cent last quarter. It outperformed the five-year average by 8.9 per cent.

The TV drama subcategory witnessed a below par performance in its five-year average, however, by 12 per cent this quarter. This is despite year-on-year gains of 29.3 per cent. Web-based TV was up 63.1 per cent year-on-year. TV pilots were up 51.8 per cent and TV sitcoms were up 39.1 per cent. Reality TV, which was up 6.4 per cent year-on-year, remains to be the largest contributor to L.A.?s TV totals. Reality TV finished Q2 4.7-per cent below its five-year average, though.

"The more we study these numbers, the more obvious is the need for historical context," said president of Film L.A. Paul Audley "For production to increase 20, 40 or even 60 per cent in a category during a single quarter is positive and significant, but it also demands we look at the record and see what?s been happening in those categories seasonally and over time."

California?s Film and Television Tax Credit Program did its part to bring new projects to the Los Angeles region this past quarter. State-qualified Television projects generated 171 PPD (permitted production day) from March through June, comprising 22.7 per cent of all TV drama activity. State-qualified Television projects in L.A. included Franklin & Bash, Lost Angels, Major Crimes, Perception, Pretty Little Liars, Rizzoli and Isles, Teen Wolf and Switched at Birth.