LOS ANGELES AIRPORT RESUMES COMMERCIAL FILMING, PHOTOGRAPHY; ACTION BENEFITS LOCAL FILM INDUSTRY ECONOMY
(Los Angeles, California -- January 29, 2002) Los Angeles City Mayor James K. Hahn and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) officials today announced the resumption of commercial film and photography productions under a modified policy at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). All commercial filming and photography activities on the airport's restricted airfield and Central Terminal Area ceased in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, when more restrictive, federally mandated airport security measures were implemented.
"The film industry is vital to the economy of Los Angeles. I am pleased we were able to work with federal and local aviation security officials in developing a new policy that balances the recent implementation of tighter airport security measures and the need of our local film industry to access our airports for their productions. This action will help the studios keep production dollars and jobs in Southern California," Mayor Hahn said.
Considered "the most filmed airport in the world" in the movie industry, LAX has been a popular shooting locale for local and foreign productions due to the nominal cost LAWA charges for permits and labor fees under its cost-recovery policy. Permits cost $50 for small productions and still photography and $100 for all other productions. Other fees cover the cost of labor for LAX Airport Police, safety officers, electricians, maintenance mechanics, airfield operations, parking and other airport personnel.
In 2000, LAX collected $350,356 in permits and fees. The airport issued 262 permits for television commercials and shows, full-feature films, documentaries, foreign productions, print advertisements, student films, music videos, and productions by LAX tenants and federal agencies. Some of the prominent productions that year included: the full-feature film "Family Man;" the television series "The West Wing," "Survivor," "Felicity," "Six Feet Under" and "CSI;" and the public broadcast documentary "Chasing the Sun."
In 2001 before cessation of commercial filming activity in September, LAX collected $247,626 in permits and fees. The airport issued 161 permits, including full-feature films "Not Another Teen Movie" and "Rush Hour 2;" and television series "Ally McBeal," "Bernie Mac," "The Agency" and "Any Day Now."
According to airport officials, the first commercial filming project following today's announcement will be a scene for "The West Wing," the highly rated television series revolving around a fictional American president and his White House staff.
Llewellyn Wells, producer for "The West Wing," said, "We are delighted to be returning to LAX and acknowledge Mayor Hahn's efforts on behalf of the film industry to facilitate television and motion picture production in Southern California."
Entertainment Industry Development Corporation (EIDC) President Cody G. Cluff said, "Mayor Hahn is sending a loud message to the filming community that Los Angeles is serious about keeping productions and jobs here at home. LAX has long been one of L.A.'s greatest filming assets and we appreciate the Mayor's leadership in bringing the airport back on-line."
The EIDC is a non-profit corporation that facilitates "one-stop shopping" for production companies seeking permits and other arrangements with City of Los Angeles departments.
LAX has a dedicated Film Desk in its Airport Operations staff that issues permits, schedules airport personnel to staff productions, and coordinates with federal agencies, airlines, and other airport tenants to accommodate studio requirements.
The new policy allows commercial filming and photography on the airport's restricted airfield and perimeter areas, in aircraft hangars, in the remote parking lots, and on a case-by-case basis in the Central Terminal Area parking structures. The new policy prohibits film productions in the passenger terminals, terminal ramp areas, and in other parts of the Central Terminal Area.
(NSC - 1/29/02)
