The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a measure by Councilman Adrin Nazarian late last month, designed to ease the regulatory burden for filming in L.A. – thus keeping film and television production at home.

The April 29 vote directs the city’s chief legislative analyst and all relevant city departments to research and report back on adjustments to fee structures, processes for obtaining film permits, parking and public safety requirements for location shooting and certifying new sound stages. It also expands access to city-owned locations and prevents price gouging that drives up production costs.

“More production means more jobs for L.A. families, and the communities where they live and shop,” Nazarian said in a statement. “In addition to providing stable, well-paying jobs to our residents, a significant boost to our local economy has the potential to bring desperately needed revenue to our city.”

Nazarian, who first introduced the city measure on March 28, represents the southeast San Fernando Valley, including North Hollywood, Studio City and Valley Glen.

‘A win’ for the industry

Paul Audley, president of Studio-City based FilmLA, the nonprofit agency that coordinates on-location filming for the city and L.A. county, said that he welcomes the motion.

“Time and again, the city of Los Angeles has proven responsive to the needs of the industry, in many ways setting the standard for other local cities to follow,” Audley said in a statement provided to the Business Journal. “But there is always work to be done, and we look forward to sharing our ideas for improvement, together with other suggestions put forth by city departments.”

Nella McOsker, the chief executive of downtown advocacy group Central City Association, called Nazarian’s motion “a win” for the thousands of Angelenos and local businesses whose livelihoods are tied to the entertainment industry.

“By approving this motion, (the city council) are streamlining permitting, reducing unnecessary fees, and creating new incentives to retain an industry that supports keeping thousands of jobs here,” McOsker said in a statement. “This is the kind of leadership we need to ensure L.A. remains the creative capital of the world.”

Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez thanked Nazarian for taking a lead on this critical issue.

“Together, we’re fighting to keep the heart of our creative economy right here in Los Angeles,” Soto-Martinez said in a statement.

Actress Yvette Nicole Brown, known for her role in the hit television comedy “Community” from NBC Universal, said that Nazarian’s motion to keep production in the city by cutting through bureaucratic red tape and streamlining inefficiencies is “critically important” to the film and television crews, who make the industry possible.

“The dream of moving to Los Angeles is the hope of working in Los Angeles,” Brown said in a statement. “That’s why it’s essential we support Councilmember Nazarian’s efforts to protect these jobs, uplift working-class professionals, and ensure that Los Angeles remains the entertainment capital of the world.”

Brigitta Romanov, president of the Costume Designers Guild (IATSE Local 892), said that the motion speaks to something deeply personal for so many in the industry.

“It’s about protecting the soul of Los Angeles,” she said in a statement. “It’s getting harder to make a living in this business – not only because we’re working less, but because the system productions work within has become too costly, too complex, and too out of reach for many productions. This motion is a crucial step towards reversing that.”

Alex Aguilar, secretary-treasurer of Laborers International, Local 724, echoed that view, saying that too many crew members are currently unemployed. The measure is “a critical step” towards bringing union jobs back to the city.

“Reviving local production not only helps workers – it also supports the small businesses that keep our neighborhoods thriving,” Aguilar said in a statement.

Keeping pressure on lawmakers

In addition to the city’s provisions to keep filming in the area, Nazarian said he and other lawmakers were keeping up the pressure on Sacramento to pass SB 630 and AB 1138, which will allocate $750 million annually in tax incentives for production, up from $330 million. The two state measures also will revise and expand eligibility for the program.

“I’m working with Mayor (Karen) Bass and I’ve written to our neighboring cities in L.A. County to join us in the fight to keep production jobs here, where they belong,” Nazarian said.

The bills are still working their way through the state legislature. Both have received the support of Gov. Gavin Newsom.