The Numbers

With yet another increase in film and TV production, Santa Clarita is solidifying its reputation as the Hollywood outside of Hollywood. For the fiscal year ended June 30, the city reported that on-location film permits increased 44 percent to 531, compared to 368 permits issued the previous fiscal year. In addition, the number of filming days jumped 28 percent to 1,370 days in the most recent fiscal year, compared to 1,069 days in the previous fiscal year. Russell Sypowicz, the city’s film office administrator, said it was the fourth consecutive fiscal year in which filming activity went up. “It is remarkable that we are seeing such a big increase,” he said. Sypowicz noted several factors contributing to the production increase, starting with the eight locally based TV shows that regularly film outside a soundstage at least once or twice an episode. Sypowicz said California’s film and television production tax credit program has also benefitted the city. Three television series based in Santa Clarita, including “Justified” and “Franklin & Bash,” received state tax credits this year. Television brings in the most filming activity to Santa Clarita. In the 2013 calendar year, television series accounted for 452 filming days, with reality programming adding another 171 days. Feature films by comparison made up 281 filming days. Series that film in the city include “NCIS” on CBS, “The Bridge” on cable channel FX, “Wipeout” on ABC and “Switched at Birth” on ABC Family. Sypowicz said production companies see Santa Clarita as a diverse backdrop, allowing the city to stand in for just about anywhere in the world. “NCIS” is set on the East Coast yet films in California, he pointed out. “It is really beneficial when they are looking for multiple shots in one day,” Sypowicz explained. “They can get a residential tract or a large estate with horse property; we have mountains and flat land.” – Mark R. Madler