Film Works LA campaign launched to keep production in our city

Yesterday I helped launch a new campaign to keep production in Los Angeles -- Film Works L.A. Coordinated by the non-profit Film L.A., Film Works L.A. is being supported by a broad coalition of entertainment industry businesses, labor, neighborhood leaders, and others who want to play an active role in ensuring that Los Angeles continues to be the entertainment capital of the world.

A significant part of the new Film Works L.A. project is an educational effort to raise awareness of production's importance to our regional economy. According to data from Film L.A., the entertainment industry directly employed 141,000 people in L.A. County in 2008 -- primarily middle class jobs in production, post-production, and distribution. And a study by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation concluded that just one one-hour television program generates more than 180 direct jobs and supports 540 indirect jobs as well as generates $2.2 million in state income taxes and $880,000 in state sales taxes.

There's no question that these "reel jobs" have real impact on jobs for Angelenos. And these jobs would not be possible without the cooperation of residents and businesses who allow filming to occur in their neighborhoods.

So when you see the yellow and black "Film Works L.A." logo in your community, know that the production underway is providing jobs for your friends and neighbors.