L.A. Film Office Warns Production Permits May Be Temporarily Denied Around Protest Areas
Areas in and around downtown Los Angeles could be temporarily off-limits to filmmakers as protests over recent immigration raids continue to unfold, a local film office advised creatives on Monday.
While the permitting authority for the city of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Department, is tackling projects on a case-by-base basis, film permits may be denied for areas around City Hall and the L.A. Mall as demonstrations continue, FilmLA said in a production alert on Monday. Also at risk of being affected are productions looking to film in areas around the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Office and a separate federal building near Little Tokyo.
More from The Hollywood Reporter
Hollywood Incentives Bill Passes the CA State Assembly Without $750 Million Specified, For Now
Where Did the $750 Million Go? Hollywood Incentive Bill Passes CA Senate Without the Figure, For Now
New Report Portrays California's Film and TV Production Environment as Uniquely Burdensome and Expensive
FilmLA further noted that protests were planned to begin at 9 a.m. in Gloria Molina Grand Park, right in front of City Hall, on Monday. One of those demonstrations is a protest against the June 6 arrest of local labor leader David Huerta that started at noon and was supported by several Hollywood labor groups.
'We are unable to give more specific boundaries for affected areas at this time as the situation is fluid. Care for crew safety is important, as is making room for protected free speech,' the production alert stated.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department said simply in a request for comment, 'I would strongly encourage you to stay out of the area due to demonstrations.' The department did not respond to a request for more specifics on which areas are currently out-of-bounds.
The L.A.-area film office stated that it is not yet aware of any productions that have been shut down or interrupted by demonstrations, but noted that in the city of Los Angeles, 'filming is allowed in all areas except those where protest activity is concentrated.'
The city's downtown is a popular location for filmmakers, with major films including Independence Day, Collateral, Blade Runner and Inception having been produced at least in part in the area. City Hall famously served as the exterior for Clark Kent's newspaper the Daily Planet in the 1950s Adventures of Superman series and has appeared in titles like L.A. Confidential and Gangster Squad since.
Any restrictions for permitted film and television productions wouldn't affect organizations covering breaking news, which do not need a permit to film.
Protests in the L.A. area began on Friday in response to immigration raids and ballooned over the weekend, with President Donald Trump on Saturday night calling for at least 2,000 National Guard troops to descend on the city in response. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has called the move unlawful and 'immoral,' and California sued the Trump administration over the action on Monday.
Best of The Hollywood Reporter
How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started
Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023
Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Axios
30 minutes ago
- Axios
"No Kings!" anti-Trump protests planned around Utah
Protestors are taking to Utah's streets on Saturday in what organizers expect will be the largest single-day anti-Trump rally since the start of the administration. Why it matters: The widespread movement will run counter to President Trump's multimillion dollar military parade in D.C. "No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance," organizers wrote. "From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we're taking action to reject authoritarianism." The intrigue: Although no anti-Trump rally in Utah has matched the size of the "Hands Off!" protest on April 5, the movement is growing to smaller cities in more conservative parts of the state. Zoom in: At least 11 marches and rallies were scheduled throughout Utah as of Monday. Salt Lake City: 10am at the U's Marriott Library Plaza and 6pm at Pioneer Park. Ogden: 1pm at Union Station. Heber City: 11am at City Hall. Provo: 9am at 445 W. Center Price: Noon at 350 E. Main Ephraim: 11am at the former Kent's Market parking lot Moab: 9:15am at Swanny City Park Boulder: 11am at the town park Kanab: 10am at Jacob Hamblin Park St. George: 2pm at Vernon Worthen Park What they're saying:"Donald Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday," the No Kings website said. "Real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else." By the numbers: Millions of people are estimated to protest in more than 1,500 cities across all 50 states, organizers said. Context: Trump's military parade coincides with his 79th birthday and the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary. The Army expects to spend $25 million to $45 million, an estimate that doesn't include Secret Service or law enforcement. Trump has been pushing for a military parade since his first term. Yes, but: There is no protest planned in Washington, D.C. That is "a deliberate choice to keep the focus on contrast, and not give the Trump administration an opportunity to stoke and then put the focus on conflict," said Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of Indivisible, one of the groups coordinating the demonstration.
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
John Roberson, Mayor Brandon Johnson's COO, is leaving City Hall
Another high-ranking member of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration is exiting City Hall. City Chief Operating Officer John Roberson is leaving the Mayor's office to take a job with the Obama Foundation. "I want to thank John Roberson for his dedication and service to our city over these past two years," Mayor Johnson said in a news release. "I wish him the best of luck as he continues to serve our city in his new role at the Obama Foundation." Roberson has been in the mayor's inner circle since the start of his term. "I want to thank Mayor Johnson for the opportunity to serve. It has been an honor to work every day for a Mayor who is committed to transforming our city," Roberson said in the release. "As I look forward to my next chapter, I want to express my gratitude to all the City workers and leaders who worked with us over these past two years to make our city a better place." Roberson's departure leaves Mayor Johnson with yet another hole to fill. In addition to filling Roberson's vacant position, Johnson needs to pick new leaders for the Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Transit Authority, and the Chicago Housing Authority.
Axios
an hour ago
- Axios
LAPD chief: Police had "no formal notification" of Marines' deployment to LA
The Los Angeles Police Department raised concerns about the deployment of some 700 Marines to LA in response to four days of fiery protests sparked by federal immigration raids. The big picture: The state's Democratic leaders have pushed back against President Trump's invocation of the military into the state to shut down protests against federal immigration enforcement. Driving the news: U.S. Northern Command announced Monday that about 700 Marines were activated to the Los Angeles area to protect federal personnel and property. "They are providing support to prevent the destruction or defacement of federal government property including crowd control and establishment of security perimeters," NORTHCOM told Axios in an email. "These personnel are also protecting federal officials from harm or threat of bodily injury while those officials execute their duties." Zoom in: LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said in response to the announcement that the department had received "no formal notification" about the Marines' arrival in LA. "The possible arrival of federal military forces in Los Angeles — absent clear coordination — presents a significant logistical and operational challenge for those of us charged with the safeguarding this city," the police chief said in a statement. He said LAPD and it partners are confident in their ability to manage the large-scale demonstrations, and urged for open and continuous lines of communications between all agencies to "prevent confusion" and "avoid escalation." Representatives for NORTHCOM and the White House did not immediately respond to Axios' Monday evening requests for comment on McDonnell's remarks. What they're saying: California Gov. Gavin Newsom said it was "un-American" for the Marines to be deployed to LA to respond to protest unrest.
