According to Film L.A., off-lot feature filming in the
Los Angeles area spiked 29 percent
in the second quarter while TV production increased 19 percent.
Such increase in production denotes the busiest second
quarter since 2001, the last time that a strike threatened to disrupt the
industry, although no strike actually occurred.
Film L.A. president Steve MacDonald told Variety, “We may be seeing a repeat of
what happened in 2001, when production rose prior to labor negotiations, and
then dropped significantly after the negotiations concluded.”
The boost in production reflects filmmakers wanting to begin
production no later than March 1, so shooting can wrap by next July, when actors
and directors could launch strikes. Trends show that industry-related employment
should be strong for the rest of the year and into 2008, but will likely
slip once stockpiles are full.
