TV Pilot Production Drops 23 % in Los Angeles Amid Strong Gains in Other Regions, FilmL.A. Reports

TV Pilot Production Drops 23 % in Los Angeles Amid Strong Gains in Other Regions, FilmL.A. Reports

L.A. Based Pickups Also Down in 2006

LOS ANGELES, June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- FilmL.A., Inc. reports today that Los Angeles' television pilot production during the February-May pilot season declined about 23% in 2006, from 105 shows produced in 2005 to 81 this year. The drop in Los Angeles occurred as production in other regions grew significantly. While the overall number of pilots produced for the season slipped 3% (from 124 to 120 projects), L.A.'s share of the season total fell to 68%, a 21% drop from the 85% share in 2005.

FilmL.A.'s second annual overview of pilot production was based on an industry-wide survey of production companies. The data shows that L.A.'s loss resulted in a gain for other locales, most notably New York City, which saw its pilot production share increase to 11 projects, from seven in 2005. The Canadian provinces matched NYC's tally with 11 pilots (vs. five in 2005). Washington DC hosted three pilots, while Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas each had two pilots. Massachusetts, Illinois, Tennessee, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Utah split the remainder with one pilot each. In all, 39 of this year's 120 pilots were produced outside of Los Angeles; more than double the number recorded last year.

FilmL.A. President Steve MacDonald says the survey's results challenge the assumption that most pilots would be shot in Los Angeles. "Aggressive incentives from other jurisdictions have now succeeded in attracting almost a third of the season's pilot productions," notes MacDonald. "Without a significant response, we're not likely to retain a majority share for much longer."

As for the economic impact, MacDonald says the production shift this pilot season cost Los Angeles thousands of jobs and as much as $70 million in production spending. Approximately $216 million of this season's $370 million production pie was spent in Los Angeles. These figures are 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.

In addition to tracking pilot production, FilmL.A. also examined new series orders for the upcoming broadcast network season* in order to track the production locations for these shows. The total number of pilots picked up as new and mid-season shows declined from 47 in 2005 to 39 this year, with 30 slated for the Fall schedule and nine scheduled to debut mid-season. 26 of the new shows will be produced in Los Angeles (13 one-hour, 13 half-hour), eight in New York (6 one-hour, 2 half-hour), two one-hour shows in Canada and one one-hour show each in Texas, Rhode Island and a still undisclosed location. In the transition from pilot episode to picked up series, one show is moving from New York to Toronto, and another is moving from Los Angeles to New York.

The nine mid-season replacements will include five half-hour shows produced in Los Angeles, one one-hour show each in New York and Canada, and two shows for which locations have not yet been announced. All tolled, the 26 new shows slated for production in Los Angeles represent a 67% share of the new show total, down from 74% in 2005 (when L.A. garnered 35 of 47 new shows).

MacDonald says FilmL.A.'s overview of pilot and new show production provides further evidence that other locales are offering more than just tax breaks. "In addition to seeing other regions gain a bigger share of the pilot production pie, it's clear that many have developed the infrastructure to support new shows for the long haul."

About FilmL.A., Inc.

Founded in 1995, FilmL.A., Inc. is a private, one-of-a-kind nonprofit corporation that works on behalf of film, television and commercial producers, Los Angeles-area residents and local government to sustain the Los Angeles region's status as the global leader in media production. More information about FilmL.A. is available at www.filmlainc.com.

* Note: FilmL.A.'s pilot production overview does not include shows picked up for cable. While the broadcast networks begin their new season in the fall, the more than 60 cable networks operate on a different pilot and new season schedule. Returning series air new episodes at various times throughout the year, with about 80% of new original series making their debut during the summer.

Contact: Erik Deutsch Philip Sokoloski
ExcelPR Group FilmL.A., Inc.
(323) 851-2300 ext. 112 (213) 977-8600 ext 130
erikd@excelpr.comphilip.sokoloski@filmlainc.co

Source: FilmL.A., Inc.

CONTACT: Erik Deutsch of ExcelPR Group, +1-323-851-2300, ext. 112,
erikd@excelpr.com, for FilmL.A., Inc.; or Philip Sokoloski of FilmL.A., Inc.,
+1-213-977-8600, ext. 130, philip.sokoloski@filmlainc.com

Web site: http://www.filmlainc.com/

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