The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Friday to waive rental fees for film production at most city facilities, extending a law that had expired on June 30.
Under the new rules, which must be written and returned to the city council for a final vote, production companies will still have to pay for permits and personnel but will be able to escape hefty rental charges.
“We applaud the City Council’s actions,” said Film L.A. spokesman Philip Sokoloski. “This will encourage filmmakers to come to Los Angeles.”
City officials like Council Member Paul Krekorian, who sponsored the motion, say the $350,000 in lost annual revenue is worth stemming the exodus of film industry money and jobs.
Film production in Los Angeles County has dropped by 50 percent since 1996 and the majority of film production now takes place outside of California. Those figures have prompted action on the part of state lawmakers as well. On Friday, a bill to extend tax credits for Hollywood film production headed to the desk of Governor Jerry Brown.
Read more about Friday’s vote by the Los Angeles City Council here.