Santa Clarita experienced its “best year of location filming ever” in 2019, with officials from the Santa Clarita Film Office recording nearly 600 film permits and 1,500 location film days, generating millions of dollars for the local community.

In 2019, officials recorded 576 film permits and 1,490 location film days, generating an estimated economic impact of $35.9 million to the local community – a significant increase of 9% from 2018.

“Our City continues to raise the bar, welcoming dozens of film productions to our versatile City,” said Mayor Cameron Smyth in a statement Wednesday. “Productions continue to choose Santa Clarita for our diverse locations, including picturesque neighborhoods and rugged landscapes.”

This marks the sixth consecutive calendar year that the Santa Clarita Film Office has recorded more than 500 permits, over 1,300 film days and $30 million or more in estimated economic impact generated from location filming alone, according to City officials.

Officials also say that this does not include film days and the economic benefit from filming that takes place on certified sound stages, which do not require a film permit. 

“These productions result in high paying, local opportunities for our 6,000 plus residents who work in the entertainment industry – plus more customers for local businesses,” Smyth said.

More than half of the filming days in 2019 were attributed to television production alone, many of which were from shows based in Santa Clarita including “Bless This Mess,” “68 Whiskey,” “Good Trouble,” “Mayans MC,” “NCIS,” “Party of Five,” “Picard,” “S.W.A.T.” and “Holey Moley.”

TV shows weren’t the only productions taking advantage of Santa Clarita locations in 2019.  Numerous feature films were also shot in the area last year including “SpongeBob Movie: It’s a Wonderful Sponge,” “Yes Day,” “Call of the Wild,” “Ad Astra,” “Palm Springs,” “Badlands” and more in addition to many commercials, music videos, still photo shoots and online content.

Santa Clarita is consistently one of the most filmed places in California because it “offers thousands of film-friendly locations that can double for almost anywhere in the world, more than 30 sound stages, over 10 movie ranches, a one-stop shop Film Office, low-cost permit fees and expedited permit processing in addition to being located within the industry’s coveted ‘30-Mile Zone,’” according to Wednesday’s release

“Several other factors have contributed to the continued success and appeal of filming in Santa Clarita, including the City’s own Film Incentive Program and Movie Ranch Overlay Zone,” the release reads. “The Santa Clarita Valley has also benefited tremendously from the California Film and Television Tax Credit Program as numerous approved projects have filmed and continue to do so on location in the area.”

For more information about filming in Santa Clarita, visit FilmSantaClarita.com or contact the Film Office at (661) 284-1425. For an insider’s view of filming in Santa Clarita, follow the Santa Clarita Film Office on Instagram (@FilmSantaClarita).

Ed. Note: The above information was provided to KHTS by the City of Santa Clarita.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.