Comment Page for Public Input on the Draft Special Condition

[TedTrent]

http://downtownfilming.blogspot.com/

Comment Period Closed

Thanks to everyone who made comments to this blog regarding the filming conditions. The last meetings between DLANC and the film industry will be held soon. When the final version of the conditions is available, it will be posted here for public record.

Following are the comments posted on this blog through October 21, 2007. All contact info has been removed.

*********************************

Thanks to you and DLANC for your efforts to make the filming situation downtown liveable for all parties. My suggestion, besides limiting the filming closures at any given time taking into consideration other non-filming related closures such as caltrans and events, would be to reduce the impact on parking by asking filming companies to provide alternate parking vouchers in lots in the immediate area of filming. My clients move heavy gear into my loft at the Hellman and parking impacts in the immediate area of 4th and Main have proven to be a major issue-

*********************************

Please include wording in the relevant paragraphs so that the LAPD and/or designated film police officers/Film Monitors are permitted to intervene, prosecute and fine residents and/or businesses that threaten or assault film crews either verbally or physically.

*********************************

All directional signage for production companies should be uniform and more aesthetically pleasing. Most signage is on cardboard, handwritten, with the name of the production company and arrows pointing to their base camp. These signs are usually upside down, torn in half, and left for months after the film production company has completed its filming. The film companies must be made responsible to remove all signage after they have completed their filming.

*********************************

A group from Hollywood Teamsters Local 399 Location Managers, Assistants, and Scouts should be included in any collection of organizations advising on this issue. It is the Locations Department of the shows that film on the streets of Los Angeles who sets up, coordinates, and manages all that activity.

*********************************

There is a huge cost borne by those who are caught in traffic, delayed as pedestrians, and detoured by filming, which seems to be largely commercials. There is no benefit except to the business owners who are compensated. I have long hoped that locals down on their luck would be hired to do simple tasks on these productions such as watching the wiring that is laid down during off hours, etc. and find that virtually all employment goes to outsiders. There should be no one person authorized to give permission for all the residents of the building. Think of the poor devils who are saving bus fare by walking over the 6th Street bridge and find they have a 20 minute detour to the 4th St. bridge, those who take the bus to reduce petroleum use while there is a war down, and those who hoof it so we won't import so much oil. Film companies, the LAPD officers who profit so much, and the landlords who rent locations have used us like a prophylactic for much too long.

*********************************

I think this is a great idea. As a resident of Chinatown who works in the financial district, I'm most concerned with the street closures on Grand Avenue, especially during the week which severely increases my commute (10 min turns into 30 min). I would like to have a website where all these closures are published instantly, or even an email notification of downtown street closures, even if its the day of.

*********************************

Section three may require activist or staff involvement to assist merchants in posting hours of operation.

Section seven re off duty police is critical, and must remain in the document. Police, including off duty or retired must accept they work for the city of L A, not the film industry.

*********************************

Posted by Downtown Filming Comments at 7:45 PM

Friday, September 28, 2007
Comment on the Draft Special Conditions for Filming in Downtown Los Angeles

Draft Special Conditions for Location Filming in Downtown Los Angeles

(a pdf version of this document is available for download )

To Post a comment, click on "Comments" at the end of the text.

The public is invited to review these Special Conditions and to comment on them. Comments will be solicited through October 21, 2007. For those with no internet access, written comments may be delivered in person to the Downtown Neighborhood Council field office at 450 S. Main Street.

Comments must include the commenter’s full name and phone number for verification purposes. Multiple comments may be made by the same person or organization. Comments that do not contain verifiable contact information will not be recorded.

Comments posted on this page are not visible, and are kept strictly confidential.

*********************************

Introduction

The Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (DLANC), Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Film L.A., Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP), and the Central City Association (CCA) submit the following “Special Conditions for Location Filming in Downtown Los Angelesâ€