Mayor Bass Signs Executive Order to Boost On-Location Shooting in Los Angeles

In a bold move to reclaim Los Angeles’ status as the heart of film and television production, Mayor Karen Bass has issued a sweeping executive order aimed at eliminating the bureaucratic red tape that has long plagued Hollywood’s efforts to film within the city.

With industry leaders by her side at SAG-AFTRA headquarters, Karen Bass streamlines L.A. filming rules to encourage more productions to stay local rather than flee to tax-friendly locations in other states or countries.

The directive, which took immediate effect, includes practical steps to reduce on-set city staffing, reopen iconic locations like the Griffith Observatory and the Central Public Library to film crews, and cut down approval delays from city departments.

These efforts are not just cosmetic; they target the root causes of why so many studios and filmmakers have opted to shoot elsewhere.

A Unified Push to Cut Red Tape and Retain Jobs

At the press event, Mayor Bass didn’t mince words: “Hollywood is a cornerstone of L.A.’s economy. This order will make it far easier to film in Los Angeles movies, television shows, and commercials.”

With this executive action, Karen Bass streamlines L.A. filming rules by mandating that no more than one city staffer be present on-location per shoot—a stark contrast to the current practice that often sees multiple personnel, including off-duty police and park monitors, simultaneously assigned.

The mayor also urged various city departments to reduce fees and streamline insurance reviews and location approvals, especially for government-owned properties like the Port of Los Angeles and Department of Water and Power facilities.

The directive calls for a full audit of city assets to determine which can be repurposed as viable filming locations, including for night-time scouting. This could significantly increase the inventory of accessible locations for productions, potentially reducing the logistical headaches many crews face.

Entertainment Industry Applauds Bass’ Action

The announcement drew praise from industry leaders, unions, and production veterans who’ve long been frustrated by the burdensome permitting process in L.A. Vanessa Holtgrewe of IATSE noted that crew unemployment hovers around 50% across multiple Locals, highlighting the urgency of these reforms.

Teamsters representative Lindsay Dougherty echoed the sentiment, calling the order “perfectly timed” to counter the downturn in local film work.

Producers United member Jamie Patricof, who has filmed projects all over the world, emphasized the missed opportunities in Los Angeles. He cited his recent film The Accountant 2, which only partly filmed in the region. “This has to change, and the mayor is taking the right actions to do that,” he said.

With this executive order, Karen Bass streamlines L.A. filming rules not only to stimulate immediate job creation but also to signal that Los Angeles is ready to compete with Atlanta, Vancouver, and other production hubs that have taken significant business away from Hollywood.

Collaboration Across Departments and Agencies

A standout component of the order is the mandate for monthly meetings between key city departments—such as police, fire, and water—and FilmLA, the nonprofit that oversees local film permitting. These meetings aim to address ongoing challenges and ensure continuous dialogue between the city and the film industry.

Departments will also be required to alert the mayor’s office and FilmLA about public infrastructure projects that could impact upcoming shoots. This proactive communication approach is designed to prevent the common problem of location cancellations due to last-minute construction or scheduling conflicts.

Legislative Momentum and Budget Concerns

Mayor Bass’ executive order follows the L.A. City Council’s recent resolution urging similar reforms, authored by Councilmember Adrin Nazarian. He called on city leaders to wake up from decades of complacency that have allowed production to drift elsewhere.

Meanwhile, state-level efforts are underway to expand California’s film and television tax credits. Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed increasing the annual cap from $330 million to $750 million. While budget constraints due to a $12 billion deficit could reduce that figure, Bass remains optimistic. “I think people recognize the $700 million as an investment,” she said.

Reclaiming Hollywood’s Home Base

By signing this executive order, Karen Bass streamlines L.A. filming rules in a concrete effort to restore the city’s title as the entertainment capital of the world. These reforms aim to keep productions local, retain skilled jobs, and stimulate small businesses that rely on a thriving film industry.

The move is being hailed as a lifeline for a struggling sector—and a signal that Los Angeles is finally serious about making itself film-friendly again.