Joined by Entertainment Labor Leaders, Mayor Bass Called on All Parties to Come Together to Protect Workers, Strengthen Local Production and Keep Paramount in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Karen Bass today called for a swift and urgent resolution to the ongoing dispute over the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Following a meeting with entertainment industry labor leaders and members of the Mayor’s Entertainment Industry Council, Mayor Bass outlined the City’s priorities to protect LA jobs, strengthen local productions and keep Paramount in Los Angeles. The Mayor has been clear that she will not support a deal that costs Angelenos their jobs.
“Productions in LA are hurting and hardworking Angelenos are out of a job because ongoing disputes over the proposed merger have stalled filming in our city – it's time for all parties to come to the table,” said Mayor Bass. “Any resolution must put the long-term stability of LA-based entertainment jobs, productions and investments first. This is not about taking sides. This is about fighting for Los Angeles’ talented and unparalleled creative workforce."
Mayor Bass has spent her career supporting film and television production, protecting entertainment industry jobs, and strengthening Hollywood’s economic recovery. As Speaker of the State Assembly, she oversaw the passage of the inaugural Film and TV Tax Credit Program. As Mayor, she championed its historic doubling to $750 million. Now, she’s fighting for a no-cap state tax credit and the creation of the first federal film incentive.
Additional progress to bolster the entertainment industry under Mayor Bass’ Executive Directive 11 includes:
Filming fees at the Griffith Observatory have been slashed by 70%.
The Central Library has reopened for filming after more than a decade.
The Port of Los Angeles has cut in half the time it takes to review filming applications.
The LA Department of Transportation (LADOT) has extended staff hours to ensure timely on-street signage posting requests and changes for local productions.
LADOT has pre-approved certain closures in Downtown L.A., allowing FilmLA to authorize curb lanes and local street closures in accordance with established guidelines.
LAPD has identified activity and locations where the assignment of personnel can either be waived or decreased since the Mayor’s directive took effect.
Restoring filming to the Sixth Street Bridge through a new pilot program that supports productions and protects the surrounding neighborhood.
Earlier this month, Mayor Bass toured the iconic Cinerama Dome following the announcement that Sony Pictures and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema would reopen the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. Alongside General Managers from key City departments, Mayor Bass committed to ensuring the site reopens to filmgoers under an accelerated timeline.
Additionally, the appointment of Board of Public Works President Steve Kang as the Mayor’s Liaison to the Film and Television Industry has streamlined many of the day-to-day barriers that productions face in Los Angeles. By providing a concierge-style service and addressing issues directly as they come up, the Mayor’s Liaison ensures that productions receive timely support and that the City remains a film-friendly partner.
Mayor Bass also established an Entertainment Industry Council to draw on the expertise of industry leaders and issued Executive Directive 8 to support the industry locally, including establishing monthly task force meetings with key departments and industry stakeholders and requiring all departments to have a designated liaison for film and TV production.