Senate Panel OKs Bill Aimed at Easing Way for Film Makers

A Senate committee on Tuesday approved a $2.8-million bill that would give film makers state assistance in complying with local government permit requirements that reportedly are causing producers to look outside California for movie locations.

The measure, which cleared the Governmental Organization Committee on a 6-1 vote, is designed to offset the more than $1 billion lost annually to other states by making it easier for film makers to obtain local permits, said Sen. Herschel Rosenthal (D-Los Angeles), author of the bill.

Rosenthal said the film industry estimates that “runaway” productions--those that are filmed outside California--take with them about $12 million in potential state income each day. Included, he said, is money lost from businesses that serve the film industry, such as hotels, restaurants, airlines and construction companies.

In an effort to deal with problems facing the film and television industry within California, the Legislature in 1984 created the California Film Office and the Motion Picture Council. But Rosenthal said that despite the efforts of the two agencies, permit-free filming and other incentives offered by states such as New York, Ohio, Texas and Massachusetts have made it difficult for California to compete.

For example, Rosenthal said movie makers are required to apply for an average of three permits from each California city where they film.

The measure would give authority to the California Film Office to create regional “one-stop” permit offices throughout the state that would act as intermediaries between the film industry and local government agencies. Such offices would obtain the required permits for the film maker.

The legislation would appropriate $2.8 million over three years with most of the money earmarked to reimburse cities and counties for the money they spend enticing film makers to their areas.

“Film companies are viewed as a nuisance, an industry that is put up with. We’re hamstrung by permits. This measure will streamline the process and create a much more positive environment for the film industry,” said Stephen J. Cannel, producer of such prime-time television series as “The A-Team,” “Hardcastle and McCormick,” and “The Rockford Files.”

“Our concerns are not for the famous actors and producers, but for the little people, the stage hands and others who will not be able to work in other states,” said Bill Welsh, president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Gov. George Deukmejian’s appointee to the California Motion Picture Council.