Just Another Last Minute Closure
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES —
Here's one of those little "Oh, and by the way..." moments that we all love so much about Downtown filming. Around noon Friday Film LA sent out a notification that Grand Avenue would be closed all day Saturday between 5th and Wilshire for New Regency Productions to shoot "Mirrors."
At 9:10pm they sent out a revised agenda saying that the shoot was now Sunday. And then, buried in the details: the closure will also include 6th street between Hope and Olive. Hopefully your travel plans will not be impacted.
Just to make your life even better, Saturday the 2nd street tunnel is approved to be closed from 5pm to 9pm, and the 6th street bridge to Boyle Heights is approved for closure from noon to 10pm.
As a preview, Monday's Public Works agenda includes a request to close both Olive and Hill streets from 3rd to 5th Friday evening to Monday morning next weekend.
sTEVE on March 15, 2008, at 08:28AM – #1
Living in Metro 417, apparently we are not allowed in or out of our building that weekend. Another great job of planning street closures
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on March 15, 2008, at 10:27AM – #2
In fairness, my experience is that large shoots are often good at accomodating residents who live inside the closed off area. Sometimes not, though, and then you find yourself having to do fun things like make the decision on your own that it's ok to go up that one-way street the wrong way.
Assuming this closure goes through (and unless people were to show up Monday to complain it almost certainly would), I would hope that they would distribute an access plan in your building.
Be Good on March 15, 2008, at 11:59AM – #3
11am Figueroa northbound between 5th and 6th is closed, with a helicopter lifting huge duct work from Figueroa to the top of one of the skyscraper's to the east. Impressive to watch, but also impacting traffic.
Metro Local on March 15, 2008, at 10:12PM – #4
It's amazing how much on the ground security there was for the helicopter work today in contrast to the lack of awareness with last night's and today's helicopter filming Downtown. Just the same, last night's helicopter filming paled compared to the debacle a year ago.
Street closures for filming must go through the Board of Public Works for approval. If you are unhappy with them, complain directly to those commissioners, among the few who draw a full-time salary for their board work in the City.
Another thought, because filming is a commercial enterprise -- clock the time you were delayed and present the film company with a bill. "Because your production did not do an adequate job of detouring traffic, I was delayed 15 minutes. My rate of pay is X and hour. It is your responsibility to reimburse me .25X."
Pre-print them and have them ready in your car where you can just fill in the blanks.
Once again, filming is a commercial enterprise. If you are delayed, hassled or otherwise put out, demand to be compensated -- it will be the only way for anyone to truly judge the true financial impact filming has be it positive or negative.
Let's put the "benefits" of allowing film companies to use the streets to the test...
Jerard on March 15, 2008, at 11:04PM – #5
Another reason for Downtown Connector to be built below grade a lot of festivals and filming around Downtown LA.
Bert Green on March 16, 2008, at 12:36AM – #6
Everyone should be very clear also that you are NOT required to obey any film company who tells you that you cannot walk down a sidewalk, cross a street, or otherwise access public sidewalks while they are shooting. They must accommodate the public, not the other way around.
If you live on a closed street, you have the right to pass the barriers to get in or out of your home. If they deny you that access, you should politely insist, and demand to see their permit. Get the number, and complain directly to Film LA and also to Jan Perry's office at City Hall. Follow up your complaint with regular phone calls. Also, demand that they allow you access, and do not take no for an answer.
Ginny on March 16, 2008, at 11:36AM – #7
Bert - I'm glad you mentioned this! A couple of months ago, armed with this new knowledge, I felt a new freedom on the sidewalk. (I may be overstating my feeling, but still) I saw the "street closed" sign and a ton of filming equipment blocking my way, checked the filming notice again, and crossed the street with me head held high.
Someone asked that I go around (meaning go around the block up to 7th, when I live at 6th) and I politely said no - I'm just getting to my front door, and the permit said the street's closed, but open to pedestrian traffic. He shrugged, and I kept walking.
Metro Local on March 16, 2008, at 01:04PM – #8
Filming is a commercial enterprise -- if a production wants you to wait or detour, ask how much are you going to be compensated for the inconvenience.
No one can block your access to your home except designated public safety officials in a time of emergency. If a film crew tells you there is a "safety issue", ask them why your building was not evacuated and its tenants relocated at the production's expense. Demand to see the permit and to speak with the location manager.
Certainly, nothing warranting a street closure "for safety" should be going on if the buildings on that closed street have not been cleared for safety as well.
Much respect for Bert, but skip complaining to FilmLA. FilmLA is a contractor for the City -- complain to your councilmember's office, the CAO and Controller directly.
Explain your understanding is the FilmLA contract costs the City hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in additional operating costs even though the City coffers never see a dime of the permit fees FilmLA collects.