Film industry leaders on the future of L.A.
LOS ANGELES (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - Film industry leaders say the future of Los Angeles looks grim if the city keeps its trend of declining productions.
Legendary movie scores, and some of the most famous names in music, were recorded at Evergreen Studios.
Neil Portnow and his partners saved the studio, and not only is it thriving, but is one of the better stories of the moment.
"But going forward, the question is, is production gonna remain vital here in this town? And that'll be the key to how we do here," Portnow wondered.
The film industry, synonymous with L.A. and Hollywood, has been taken a hit.
"We posted a 22.4% decline in on-location filming for the first quarter of this year," said Philip Sokoloski with FilmLA.
Globally, there has been a cut back in new production and California isn't doing enough to bring and keep production in the state.
"California does not have a competitive tax incentive in place to bring new projects back," Sokoloski explained.
When the third largest economic contributor in the greater L.A. area is hit this hard, the effect is sobering.
Peter Rotter, founder of Encompass Music Partners, has worked on over a thousand feature films as music coordinator.
"I was just on the lot at Warner Brothers. And it feels like a ghost town. Everywhere I go, it feels like a ghost town," Rotter expressed.
If something isn't done, industry leaders say the future of L.A. is grim.
"I have seen people make comparisons of Los Angeles to Detroit prior to the flight of the auto industry," Sokoloski shared.
Governor Gavin Newsom and state legislators are calling for improvements to the state's tax credit program to draw production back and increase jobs locally.
Industry leaders are encouraging people to call and write their senators, asking them to support these bills and keep L.A. the entertainment capital of the world.
"There's nowhere in the world that you have better, finer, more dedicated, educated, incredibly unique performers, players, musicians," Portnow declared.
For those who have made it and lived the career of their dreams, leaving Hollywood better than they found it is the best legacy.
"It's important that people who are coming up the ladder have a place to go and have a place to thrive," Rotter spoke.
