Alarcon Proposes New Filming Incentive

Production companies and entertainment industry workers would receive discounts from area businesses during filming under a proposal from Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon. The program would help keep film and television production in the city, increase business in areas where filming takes place, and reduce costs of production. The discount card program has been forwarded to the city’s administrative officer and chief legislative analyst, which will report back within 60 days to the Jobs & Business Development Committee of which Alarcon is chairman. Offering the discount cards would be modeled on similar programs in New York, Austin and San Francisco. “The film industry is woven into the fabric of Los Angeles, with businesses across the city and across industries benefiting from the dollars spent by film productions and the workers in the industry, and we must continue to find new ways to encourage films to stay in L.A.,” Alarcon said.