Record Year for Filming in Santa Clarita

The city of Santa Clarita recorded a record number of permits for on-location film and television production last year. For 2019, the north Los Angeles County city processed 576 film permits for 1,490 location film days that generated an estimated economic impact of $35.9 million, or about a 9 percent increase from the prior year. Not included in the numbers are the film days and economic benefit from the filming taking place on the approximately 30 soundstages in the Santa Clarita Valley, which do not need a city permit. Mayor Cameron Smyth said that production companies choose Santa Clarita for its diverse locations, including picturesque neighborhoods and rugged landscapes. “These productions result in high paying, local opportunities for our 6,000 plus residents who work in the entertainment industry – plus more customers for local businesses,” Smyth said in a statement. More than half of the filming days in 2019 were attributed to television shows filming on location, which include “Good Trouble,” “Mayans MC,” “NCIS,” “Party of Five,” and “Picard.” Feature films that have used the city include “SpongeBob Movie: It’s a Wonderful Sponge,” “Call of the Wild,” and “Ad Astra.” That is in addition to online content, commercials, music videos and still photo shoots. The city credited the state’s film production tax incentive for keeping shows here so that they could film in the city. “Good Trouble,” and “Mayans MC” are among the shows filming in Santa Clarita that have received tax incentives.