The City of Santa Clarita’s Santa Clarita Valley Film Office reported increases in the number of film permits and film days from July through November 2006 in Fiscal Year 06-07, when compared with the same time period in 2005.  The Film Office issued a total of 140 permits and hosted 387 film days during the five-month period, representing a seven percent (7%) increase in permits and a 30 percent (30%) increase in film days.   Also of note, November 2006 was the best “November” on record for the Santa Clarita Valley Film Office with regard to the number of film days (80 film days) and the number of film permits issued (32 permits issued for filming in the City of Santa Clarita). 

“Despite competition from other states and countries that offer financial incentives, like Vancouver, Louisiana and New Mexico, we’ve been successful not only in attracting location filming to our City, but in increasing the amount of location filming each year” said Jason Crawford, film administrator for the City of Santa Clarita.  “We’ve focused our marketing efforts on what makes Santa Clarita a great place in which to work, including the variety of locations, film-friendly business and residential communities, low permit fees and the reverse commute from Los Angeles – key factors for production when choosing a location.”

Historically television production has accounted for the largest number of on-location film days each month, and television filming represented 263 of the 387 film days from July through November 2006, while commercials and features represented the second largest number of film days with a total of 95.  Still, student and music shoots accounted for the remaining film days.  Santa Clarita is currently home to six network television programs including: Nickelodeon’s “Zoey 101,” HBO’s “Deadwood,” “Big Love,” and “John from Cincinnati,” and CBS’s “The Unit” and “NCIS,” all of which are based at Santa Clarita sound stages and movie ranches and regularly film on location in the City.  

“The City of Santa Clarita has a long history of support for the film community, which shows when you look at the amount of filming in our City,” said City of Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste.  “And the fact that we’re home to six network programs is a testament to the film industry’s support of Santa Clarita.”

The City of Santa Clarita is dedicated to keeping film production in the Santa Clarita Valley as the film industry is one of the City’s four targeted business sectors.  Loss of productions not only results in a loss of jobs for residents, but also a loss of film production monies spent in the local economy that generate sales tax dollars within the City of Santa Clarita.  In the first five months of FY 06-07, location filming has accounted for an estimated $10,030,000 in economic impact to the City of Santa Clarita and its businesses. 

The City of Santa Clarita’s Film Office was created in 2002 to help attract and retain the filming industry including both location filming and film-related businesses.  The office currently issues permits for all location filming within the city ensuring that there is a minimal impact on residents and businesses, promotes the city as an ideal place for the film industry to do businesses, and promotes the Santa Clarita Valley as a great place for location filming. 

The film industry is a major economic engine of the Santa Clarita economy, providing increased revenue for City programs through sales tax revenue, and jobs for residents.  For more information about the Film Office, please contact Jason Crawford, film administrator, at (661) 284-1425.

12-10-06