FilmLA attributes drop to likely increase in soundstage filming over on-location shoots
Despite a rosy outlook for employment on film and TV productions, the latest quarterly report from FilmLA shows that on-location shooting in Los Angeles dropped again by 5.2% year over year. A total of 9,226 on-location shooting days were logged in the third quarter of 2019, down from 9,734 in 2018.
The only major category that saw an increase in shooting days was TV Comedy, which increased 45.6% to 754 shooting days during the third quarter. TV Drama production declined for the first time this year, slipping 28.6%, while feature film production, which has generally struggled this year, dropped another 24.7%.
FilmLA President Paul Audley attributed this drop to a shift in where L.A. shooting is taking place. While employment in the industry is on the rise, FilmLA believes that many of the new jobs are for projects that are moving off the streets and into studio soundstages.
“Earlier this month, our research group published a report revealing LA’s significant capture of the scripted television production market,” Audley said in a statement. “Meanwhile, union officials assure us there are ample work opportunities for local crews. We can only surmise that there is significant filming confined to area soundstages, or taking place in adjoining cities where the activity is not tracked.”
Despite the numbers, FilmLA is boasting of the continued impact of the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program, reporting that more than 40% of TV Drama shoot days came from shows that received incentives from the program. Among those are “American Horror Story: 1984,” “Mayans MC,” “This is Us,” “Star Trek: Picard” and “Westworld.”
Emmys 2019: 7 Snubs and Surprises (Photos)
As is typical at the Emmys, Sunday's winners ranged from the woefully expected to the pleasantly surprising. Here's our list of the biggest snubs and surprises.
Getty Images
Surprise: Phoebe Waller-Bridge's "Fleabag" beat perennial winner “Veep” to become TV’s top comedy, Waller-Bridge picked up an award for comedy writing, and she beat the heavily favored Julia Louis-Drefus in the lead comedic actress category.
Amazon
Snub: The disappointment didn't end there for "Veep": The final season of the HBO comedy was completely shut out of Sunday's awards.
HBO
Snub: "When They See Us," Ava DuVernay's Netflix limited series, was up for a number of awards in the limited series categories -- including Outstanding Limited Series -- but the show only took home one Emmy, for lead actor Jharrel Jerome.
Netflix
Surprise: HBO's "Chernobyl" was one of the summer's breakouts. It scored three wins for writing, directing and limited series.
HBO
Surprise: "Ozark" star Julia Garner won the Emmy for supporting actress in a drama, besting a quartet of "Game of Thrones" stars -- Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner, Lena Headey and Gwendoline Christie.
Netflix
Snub: "Game of Thrones" came into the 2019 Emmys with more nominations in one year than any other program in history, but the show was all but shut out on Sunday's broadcast. As widely predicted, the show did win in the most important category -- drama series. And Peter Dinklage won for supporting actor.
HBO
Surprise: "Killing Eve" star Sandra Oh won the lead actress in a drama series category at the Golden earlier Globes this year, but on Sunday it was her co-star Jodie Comer who surprised with a win, coming out on top. Her competition included "Game of Thrones" queen Emilia Clarke, previous winner Viola Davis and Robin Wright, who was up for the final season of "House of Cards."
BBC America
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From ”Fleabag’s“ big win to a ”Veep“ shutout
As is typical at the Emmys, Sunday's winners ranged from the woefully expected to the pleasantly surprising. Here's our list of the biggest snubs and surprises.
Jeremy Fuster
Box Office Reporter • jeremy.fuster@thewrap.com • Twitter: @jeremyfuster