LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The number of applications for filming permits in Los Angeles increased 43.1% in February compared to the previous month after declining due to a surge in COVID-19 cases since November 2020, according to figures released today.
According to FilmLA, the nonprofit agency that coordinates film permitting in the Los Angeles area, there were 777 film permit applications in February, making it the third busiest month for FilmLA since June.
Despite the increase, filming activity is about 40% below the normal rate for this time of year, FilmLA reported.
Permit applications peaked in October, with 880 applications, after health officials gave permission for production to move forward. The number of permit applications dropped to 813 in November, 613 in December and 543 in January.
FilmLA said the decrease was due to rising COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations. The recent increase occurred after SAG-AFTRA, the Producers Guild of America and the Joint Policy Committee agreed that filming could resume effective Feb. 1.
“As new COVID-19 case counts diminish and more projects restart production, we are optimistic that the local film economy will soon be back on track,'' FilmLA President Paul Audley said. “On-location filming, for months conducted safely in observance of strict health protocols, will surely rise again with the reopening of businesses and expanding vaccine availability.''
Among the series that recently started or resumed filming are the CW's “All American,'' FX's “Impeachment: American Crime Story,'' HBO's “Curb Your Enthusiasm,'' Netflix's “Dear White People,'' HBO Max's “Generation,'' ABC's “Grey's Anatomy,'' Fox's “9-1-1: Lone Star,'' CBS' “Seal Team,'' Showtime's “Shameless,'' NBC's “This is Us'' and Lifetime's “You.''
Feature films include “'Ambulance,'' which features Jake Gyllenhaal and is directed by Michael Bay, A24's “C'Mon C'Mon,'' starring Joaquin Phoenix, and Netflix's “Sweet Girl'' with Jason Mamoa and Marisa Tomei.
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