T.V. Production Falling

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FilmL.A. Inc. reported Friday that Los Angeles’ television pilot production during the February to May pilot season declined about 23 percent in 2006, over last year, while production in other regions grew significantly.


While the overall number of pilots produced slipped 3 percent from 124 to 120 projects, L.A.’s share of the total pilot production fell to about 67 percent, or 81 projects, from 85 percent, or 105 projects, in 2005.


The data comes from FilmL.A.’s second annual overview of broadcast network pilots, which is based on a survey of production companies. The data does not include shows picked up for cable. The nonprofit agency is dedicated to promoting production in Los Angeles.


The survey’s gains for other locales, most notably New York City, which saw its pilot production share increase to 11 projects, from seven in 2005, while Canada provinces also drew 11 pilots.


Thirty nine of the year’s 120 pilots were produced outside of Los Angeles; a nearly three-fold increase over the year before.


“Aggressive incentives from other jurisdictions have succeeded in luring a third of the season’s pilots away from L.A,” said FilmL.A. President Steve MacDonald. “Without a significant response, we’re not likely to retain a majority share for much longer.”


Approximately $216 million of this season’s $370 million production total was spent in Los Angeles, based on industry average pilot costs of $4 million for a one-hour drama, and $2 million for a half-hour comedy or other genre episode.


The FilmL.A. survey also found that the total number of pilots picked up declined from 47 new and mid-season shows in 2005 to 39 this year, with 30 slated for the fall schedule and nine scheduled to debut mid-season. Of those, 26 shows will be produced in Los Angeles, eight in New York, two in Canada and one one-hour show each in Texas, Rhode Island and an undisclosed location.


The nine mid-season replacements will include five shows produced in Los Angeles, one show each in New York and Canada, and two shows for which locations have not yet been announced. In total, 35 of the 47 new pickups in 2005 were produced in Los Angeles, while 26 of the 39 this year will be produced in Los Angeles.

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