Bert Green on May 21, 2009, at 05:00PM – #2

The process of applying for permits, getting signature surveys, and connecting with the community through notification seems to be working. A few years ago we would have found out about this after it started filming.

I strongly suggest that anyone who might be impacted by this shoot call the location manager on the filming notice, and express any concerns you may have. Be polite but firm, and explain to them that you need them to be sensitive to the needs of the residents in the affected area.

As long as productions follow the rules, they are welcome downtown. But the residents and business owners also need to keep open the communication.

Melanie on May 21, 2009, at 09:36PM – #3

I spoke to the Location Manager, Curtis, and he didn't seem to care one bit about the residents.

jim winstead on May 22, 2009, at 02:14AM – #4

no, bert, it failed as usual. management at the sb manhattan didn't see fit to notify the residents, the director is shouting through a bullhorn at 2am so the stunt cars can start screeching, and then the trucks go beep beep beep as they reset.

same as it ever was.

david (7th & Broadway) on May 22, 2009, at 06:29AM – #5

they always say "pending community survey" but i have never once been contacted prior to a shoot nor has my landlord. filming takes place at all hours of the night right outside my windows. i agree it has improved slightly over the last year or two but i attribute that more to the lack of production than anything else.

DOWNTOWN on May 22, 2009, at 08:25AM – #6

We are happy to have filming on our street. This is DOWNTOWN, it's always noisy: sirens, helicopters, buses, traffic, car stereos, nightculbs, yelling drunks, screaming homeless people and barking dogs. IF YOU WANT PEACE AND QUIET MOVE TO IDAHO!

tired of filmLA on May 22, 2009, at 12:23PM – #7

Even Idaho has noise ordinances.

Curtis on May 22, 2009, at 01:31PM – #8

If Melanie is the woman I spoke to then I am surprised at her comment. We had a nice conversation and ended with my showing her photos of my children. I am a native Angeleno and have location managed for over 20 years. I do care about people living in highly filmed areas. I am always cordial and try to work out problems as a result of filming. I am extremely critical of the FilmLA notification system and have told them so on numerous occasions. In fact, FilmLA notified a half mile radius from 6th and Broadway and charged the company $1200 to do so. I encourage anyone who was not notified to call FilmLA and complain.

Oscar on May 22, 2009, at 05:29PM – #9

I am all pro with movies shooting in downtown, I would actually like to have more movies more often.

I have also been one of the first persons to point out that if you can't deal with the noise in downtown you should move somewhere else, maybe Idaho as "Downtown" writes.

However there is a big difference between the "normal" noise from cars, buses, sound systems and drunk people hysterically screaming in the middle of the night and the despotic attitude of some of the crew members and the absolute disregard for the residents and affected parties when producing high levels of noise that are not "normal" to downtown as well as unnecessary street closures.

However this movie was one of those very rare ones that actually needed a street closure due to the stunt they pulled, but even with that they went overboard closing more streets than they actually needed.

I would've put up with the normal noise of the cars burning tires, and the production equipment rolling in and out, but to use a bullhorn and screaming all that stuff that can just be easily and quietly be told on their radios (everybody in the crew has one) when they know (believe me, they do) that there's people sleeping at that time of the night, it's absolutely disrespectful and defying and as I mentioned before in these blogs it's an attitude that they pride themselves on having, as in "I'm doing a movie with Steve Carel and Tina Fei and I can do whatever the hell I want when I want it".

This is what happened;

At about 1am the 1st. AD of this movie started talking on the bullhorn, crew members started yelling ( "rolling" , "set", "ready", "5,4,3,2,1", "action", "rehearsing", "last looks", "2nd team" and other words like "over here", etc...).

Then a rig that was designed to simulate 2 cars burning tires was activated, the cars did actually burnt tires.

I started recording out of my window the events outside, in case we ever need to make a case.

Then I saw a police car, I'm guessing someone called and complaint for noise (not a bad idea), however I only saw the police officers talk to the retired cops that were guarding the set and never saw them talk to anyone in the crew or anybody else. About 20 mins. later they sent the security guard in my own building to tell me "to stop recording out of my window because this was forbidden ", so had to explain the security guard that this was a lie, that I could record at anytime because anything that happens on the street is "public domain" and that they were none with authority to "order" me that, I sent the security guard back with a message, "I will not stop recording because it's public domain and if they are so interested on the footage they can buy it anytime".

Then a very charming and charismatic guy, whom I'm guessing was Curtis (they introduced themselves but can't remember their names) showed up with a PA making a very mean face and with "I'll show you" attitude making herself pass by a "Public Relations" manager, I have no idea why they did that, I guess they were playing "bad cop, good cop".

The conversation went on roughly like these: C:"We're here from... O:"Could you please speak quietly, my girlfriend is sleeping" C:"Oh, OK, We're here from the movie by 20th. Century Fox to ask you to stop recording out the window" O:"It's public domain and you can't ask me that" C:"Why are you doing this?" O:"The neighbors document the shoots in case we ever need to make a case to complain for noise and abuse" C:"That is fine but if you ever use the footage for profit the 20th Century Fox very powerful lawyers will come after you and cease your equipment" O:"I'm worth nothing" C:If you are going to use the footage for your own personal purposes it's fine, but if you publicize it the lawyers at 20th. century fox ... O:"I might put it on youtube" C:"No, you can't put it on youtube because youtube it's for-profit" O:"Do you want to buy the footage?" C:"We are not buying any footage" O:"From all of the downtown areas why don't you go shoot somewhere else were there is no residents?" C:"Everything else is dark or they are 2 way streets" O:"Why don't you do some research and shoot in a less populated area?" C:"Why don't you come work with me and do my job?" O:"Ok, I understand that but if you are going to shoot here why not at least respect the neighborhood, why do you have your idiot director using a bullhorn when everybody in the crew has radios?" C:"Yes I understand John can be a little abrasive, we'll ask him to stop" O:"Oh, so that was the 1st. AD, yelling..." PA:"This conversation is going nowhere, let's go" O:"Well, nice to meet you" C:"Nice to meet you too" Security:"Thank you"

At some point during the conversation Curtis said "Do you have any idea how much money are we paying your building? It's not our fault that this money don't go to the tenants" trying to sympathize with me.

But I thought, actually it's your fault because if you really cared then you could send a check directly to us, or at the very least notify us by a personal letter and not by a little paper at the entrance of our building that hardly nobody ever notices or by leaving this job to the manager of the building , that is not their job.

Then they went out there, and 5 mins. later the 1st. AD was yelling again in the bullhorn, this time was even louder and they had one of the cars honk incessantly for about 2mins. And keep yelling and using the bullhorn until about 5am. I'm sure that will "show me".

The conversation took place in very amicable tones, none yelled or seemed angry, except for that PA's face but she didn't speak.

I recognize I took the conversation nowhere by playing "little rebel", looking back all I should have say was "I stop recording if you stop using the bullhorn and screaming in the street and start using your radios" and shake their hands good bye.

This Curtis guy it's absolutely "nice" but I can tell he's been in this situation too many times before and knows how to talk people into agreeing with him and able to talk his way out of situations, just as they did with me, they came in and pretended to be nice, he was absolutely charming, I almost wished his son married my daughter just to be family, but then they went out there and just made things worst and worst, how arrogant.

So I would like to ask to anybody that lives in this block to call the LAPD at (877) ask-LAPD and complain for noise if this keeps going on, I bet 3 fingers that the LAPD won't shut them down or get them to comply but at least there will be a precedent.

I also would like to know your point of view if you live in this block, so please post it in this blog and if you support me please call my cell (323) 697-7382 or email me at xeomail@yahoo.com and leave me your info so we can communicate with each other and coordinate things in the future.

I would also like to know if there's any lawyers living in the area that would help me out in case they threaten to sue me again or anything like that.

And lastly if anyone has Captain's Chow e-mail, could you please let him know about this situation?

I would keep checking the blog every day until the next week for updates.

Thank you.

Downtown on May 22, 2009, at 07:34PM – #10

Please realize, Downtown Los Angeles has been here for over 100 years. It has always been busy, noisy, and business driven. I understand every urban core requires its residents adapt to the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Just because you decided to move here a few months ago doesn’t mean you are entitled to anything, including a good night sleep. If you can’t handle it here, then you should leave. This city does not need any more intolerant, ignorant, entitled residents. Its your right to leave, 100 years of history won’t change just so you can sleep peacefully.

Downtown on May 22, 2009, at 07:49PM – #12

Well excuse me for my opinions, apparently I shouldn't be able to have a voice here... Everyone has the choice to leave if they don't like Downtown, that's what happened in the 70's.

Here's the crux of my issue with film-production-haters: Los Angeles has always been home to film production, it's a big industry here and many of the residents living in downtown have careers in this industry.

I was awakened by the noise caused by this production the other night, but was not bothered by it because I simply choose to go back to sleep. Learn to accept and tolerate your neighbors and Downtown for what it is.

Melanie on May 22, 2009, at 07:56PM – #13

Curtis, I am indeed the woman you spoke to and although you were cordial, it was pretty obvious you could care less about the residents in the neighborhood, as evidenced by the unnecessary bullhorn.

But Curtis, you are right on the fact that FilmLA is useless - utterly useless.

Melanie on May 22, 2009, at 08:02PM – #15

I don't mind most of the filming. The filming that is during decent hours and/or doesn't have people running up and down the street screaming or crashing cars. There are too many areas in Downtown that this film could have been shot that aren't populated.

Regular downtown noise is a given and I don't mind it. Ridiculous film shoots, I mind.

Downtown on May 22, 2009, at 08:04PM – #16

Thank you Eric, I appreciate your efforts to keep the discussion productive.

Aside from hassling and suing production companies what solutions shall we propose?

I am baffled how many new residents of downtown have such a strong sense of entitlement. Would anyone have slept better if they got paid?

Downtown on May 22, 2009, at 08:28PM – #18

Hello FilmLA, is anybody in there? This could be an opportunity to be part of the solution! There is no reason film production cannot co-exist with all the new residents.

FilmLA was supposed to handle this type of situation, but they seem to be ineffective. It's their responsibility to intervene and resolve problems like this.

We should all be calling them at 213.977.8600 or email to: info@filmlainc.com

LA_Native on May 22, 2009, at 08:56PM – #19

Bottom line is "money talks" and "Hollywood" has money! Personally, I think its GOOD thing for Downtown to have as much production as it does...I would rather have a production making "noise" around my downtown neighborhood than scary stinky homeless people wandering around, I feel safer when there is a production around, especially at night!

Btw the guy that was filming from his window, Dude, I can understand you and 100+ people were “sleeping” but its not going to be like that for days and weeks, etc. get over it, I’m sure you knew they filmed around here and if you didn’t maybe the bldg manager should have told you? I dunno, anyway, the major studios don’t f* around w/ unauthorized footage FOX will for sure sue you! I’m sure they appreciate you sharing your information… and what “case” are you going to make? To who? The city? The bldg you live in? They make MONEY and yeah it sucks that YOU don’t get any of it but that’s how it goes…don’t take it personally, the crews work long hours and I’m sure want to go home and sleep too.

Melanie on May 22, 2009, at 09:07PM – #21

I'm not a new resident of Downtown and I don't think it's entitlement to not want to deal with this type of thing. I don't think it's smart to assume everyone who has a problem with filming are new to Downtown. As I said, I don't normally mind filming here. Entitlement would be "oh how I hate the homeless, they get in my way, can't we just push them elsewhere?"

I think it sucks that this is disturbing residents of the various buildings, but I think I'm most sad for the Hayward residents. I feel like they don't have a voice in the matter and they've had to put up with the most.

I've called FilmLA many times. I've called them before night shoots and during night shoots. USELESS. Once I was told that I could not talk to the FilmLA monitor at all. FilmLA is not listening.

Benjamin Pezzillo on May 22, 2009, at 09:36PM – #22

This is the first obnoxious production in a while.

Oscar: My suggestion is that the next time a film company shows up at your door you continue filming. While perhaps not illegal, this type of blatant intimidation tactic does not do well for the corporate image of Fox.

Downtown: Productions need to remember that one of the things they give up when they shoot on location is the ability to control everything and everybody. If that's the type of production environment you want or need then a backlot is probably the best place for your shoot. Trying to turn a Downtown location into a backlot with monolithic control is frankly a thing of the past.

For those SB Manhattan residents who are unfamiliar with their City Councilman, his name is Jose Huizar and you live in Council District 14:

councilmember.huizar@lacity.org

(213) 473-7014

It's a typical pattern for FilmLA to dump such a high impact shoot on Downtown before a weekend, let alone a holiday weekend, when it become very difficult to reverse the momentum of what has been "approved".

Benjamin Pezzillo on May 22, 2009, at 10:03PM – #23

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. contact info:

http://www.newscorp.com/management/20film.html

News Corporation Executives contact info (parent company of Fox):

http://www.newscorp.com/management/newscor.html

TabascoJackPepper on May 22, 2009, at 10:19PM – #24

Eric, thanks for the "love it or leave it" ban. Lazy dismissal of what are legitimate resident complaints regarding local shoots.

I'd bet they can't run roughshod over other more established neighborhoods -- can you imagine what would happen if they had a history of such shenanigans in schwankier places on the Westside? Pul-eeze. They would be shown the door, never to be invited back again.

FilmLA and production companies are ultimately being shortsighted. Our compounding frustration, coupled with a much larger population, will eventually provide us with enough critical mass that we can make shooting here too troublesome and costly. If we become too burned from their actions, NO amount of money is going to make us change our minds.

There are still plenty of us here who don't want the production-haters to have their way -- I still find it fun and a bit exciting to point at a screen and say "hey, I know where that is!", but I don't know how long my relatively positive attitude will remain when production after production have no consideration that they are filming in my backyard (so to speak).

We're not asking them to tip-toe and use candles for lighting. We're asking that they realize we live here, and their actions impact us directly -- how we can travel roads to get home at night and access our parking, how we try to spend the evening IN OUR UNITS without UNDUE intrusion, how we can even move about, sometimes. I don't think that's too much to ask.

Doheny on May 22, 2009, at 10:35PM – #25

Melanie, How can you assume that Curtis did not care about your situation? Because the bullhorn did not stop? Ok rightt

Oscar, Did you record the off duty LAPD officer that was working with the production go up and tell the 1st AD that they had to stop the "Bullhorn"?

Downtown, Please don't give these people any ideas about Idaho it's the worst place on earth.

You all chose to live in Los angeles but don't worry the film industry is leaving Los Angeles at a fast pace.. A lot of the jobs here in the LA area are related to the Movie Business direct or indirect so remember that next time you have a complaint. I love seeing homeless cracked out pimps and pushers when I step out my front door. Does DWP need a permit or signatures to tear apart the road in the middle of the night? Have you gone out to try to reason with them to ask them to stop or ask them to give you a "Inconvenience Fee" Who do you call when that happens Film LA???? Peace to all

Benjamin Pezzillo on May 22, 2009, at 11:13PM – #26

Film production is not the same as a public utility or other critical services warranting repairs during off-peak hours.

Los Angeles remains the world capital of sound stages, equipment and talent. Los Angeles remains the world capital of post-production services and computer generated imagery production as well. Not every script can be shoot in Los Angeles so hard production will always be flighty.

Perhaps the problem isn't our neighborhood expecting productions to adhere to the simplest courtesy (like no bullhorns at 2a), but that directors seem to keep shooting the same locations over and over and over again burning out those areas to the point they become harden to all production ever. It would be one thing if every production were well behaved but most display the arrogance associated with people making it in a very competitive industry.

In our household we look for the rare car commercial not shoot in Downtown Los Angeles or try to spot the 10% of "24" that was not shoot nearby. It's a joke how visually lazy the supposed creative community has gotten with respect to continually recycling the same production locations and script scenarios.

Unfortunately, the reality for Downtown residents is that writers and directors lack of creativity causes us sleepless nights.

Fortunately, we can choose not to see their products so as not to passively or economically endorse their behavior.

Skip FilmLA, contact the city directly to complain (CAO, LAPD, or your Council office) and ask the Los Angeles Municipal Code regarding limits on the use of private property be enforced. You can also complain directly to the studio or network corporate parent before selling all your stock in their company.

Bert Green on May 22, 2009, at 11:28PM – #28

Everyone here needs to know that once a film company has a permit they are allowed to ignore rules regarding noise, inconvenience, etc., if those activities are listed on the permit and within the hours allowed on the permit. As for street closures, they are publicly noticed on the agenda of the Public Works committee at City Hall. Subscribe to the agenda for those meetings and attend them to protest a closure. If someone shows up at a meeting and objects to a particular closure there is a good chance it will be denied, especially if it can be shown that the closure is requested without having done proper outreach.

There is a City Council motion being considered next week to remove film street closures from the domain of Public Works and move it over to Street Services. This is intended to bypass the public comment requirements of the Brown Act. I suggest that everyone downtown contact Jan Perry and Jose Huizar's offices and loudly protest that motion, or better yet, attend the City Council session and speak at the public comment session against the measure. If that motion passes then there will be NO public input into film street closures, nor recourse.

Many downtown buildings do get well paid for filming, and it is their responsibility to notify their tenants. The better landlords do not sign off on filming after 11 pm or before 6 am. If your landlord is not one of those then try convincing them to change their policy. If that does not work, I'd move to a building that respects you. The signature survey that go out are sent only to business and property owners, not renters. Rental buildings can be represented by the building manager or owner, and the film company is powerless to compel them to notify the tenants.

And for those of you who argue that downtown is loud all day and all night long, I seriously doubt that you live here. I live at 5th & Main, and while it is not dead quiet here all night long, it is hardly so noisy that I can't sleep. It's a totally suburban argument that the city should be noisy to the detriment of the residents. All cities have noise ordinances, and the type of intrusion we have to put up with in this case would not be tolerated in other cities. This is not meant to be anti-filming, because I have seen and slept through film shoots that went all night long right outside my window that were run by competent teams. This production is not one of those.

There is a dj store at 6th & Spring that sells strobe lights. Support your local businesses and go in and buy a strobe light. When the noise starts, point the light at the production. Coordinate it with your neighbors, and let these guys know that they can't just walk all over you. This is not illegal, and it does not produce noise. But it will get the attention of the production, as their bottom line is what motivates them.

In 2007 & 2008 Russell Brown and I represented DLANC in crafting a set of film guidelines for downtown which in March of 2009 went to City Council from DLANC. The negotiations were with the film industry and community and resulted in a compromise document that everyone agreed was workable. The entire point of the negotiations were to create a scenario where everyone would be respected and filming could continue with clear rights and responsibilities on the part of all parties. There is a version of it at:

http://downtownfilming.blogspot.com

although there were some minor changes made after this version was posted.

Since then, the film industry has gone to City Council and had it pulled from ordinance consideration by lying and telling our elected officials that the community has agreed to allow the guidelines to be voluntary. They did this because some elements in their industry will do anything to retain the ability to act as if they own downtown. They are opposed to its revitalization and will do whatever is necessary to thwart it. This is not an indictment of the industry as a whole, but those who don't care about the quality of life here. I suspect that anonymous pisters like "Downtown" are in cahoots with this effort. Otherwise, why not identify yourself, "neighbor."

Jan Perry and Jose Huizar need to hear from this community in a loud voice that we want the filming conditions to be put into effect. If they are not made into law then the bad apples in the film industry will continue to step all over you. While the conditions are not perfect, they will make a huge difference.

Film LA exists to facilitate filming in Los Angeles, to make it easier for productions to get permits and shoot where they want. They have recently added staff to act as community liasons, but their job is only to ensure that the production adheres to their permit conditions. The issuance of extremely intrusive permits into the neighborhood can only be dealt with by your Council member once the permit is issued. Where you have the power is to get involved BEFORE the permit is issued. Get involved with your building management, watch the Public Works calendar, and speak up.

The history of this blog is littered with multiple versions of this conversation, over and over for many years. Things have gotten somewhat better, but they can slip back in a moment's notice, as this shoot demonstrates.

Benjamin Pezzillo on May 22, 2009, at 11:41PM – #29

Bert: This is the type of high-impact shoot that should require postcard notification to all addresses (including individual rental units) prior to permit approval if for the simulated gunfire, road closure and late night hours.

Caryn Ho on May 23, 2009, at 04:03AM – #30

ERIC RICHARDSON says: "Starting now, I'm banning the "If you don't like it, you should leave Downtown" argument in the comments. It's been played out way too many times, and is never a productive statement. Consider yourselves warned."

CARYN HO says: Finally. Thank you. Please people - why say anything at all if it's not constructive and doesn't pertains to the topic. Especially ignorant comments like "leave downtown if you don't like it". Yeah, that's really going to solve a lot. Your IQ is showing. Oops! Guess I'm doing the same thing.

keith on May 23, 2009, at 09:18AM – #31

Yes, I've done that before take snap shot photos from the street or sidewalk and someone from the production always comes out to tell er intimidate ya that you can't shoot photos like they own the city. But usually by the time they come out I've got all the photos I need so there's never a need to bicker about it.

Fun/ny plan/idea about the strobe lights, presume the production folks would tell ya they own those lights & to turn 'em out.

Norbie 7 on May 23, 2009, at 10:11AM – #32

Whether underground or aboveground, it's high time for communals to gather and make a statement when directors disregard the rules. Scare the hell out of them! Scare that b s as well, and I don't mean babba steisand (sic). Hmmm.. this is starting to sound like plot development - for The Hunchback of Tel Aviv.

Bart & Jessica Simpson on May 23, 2009, at 12:48PM – #34

Oscar's found a solution that no one's picked up on that's easy and swift.

1) Open an anonymous YouTube account. 2) Get your video cameras on tripods near your windows. 3) Once filming starts, get it on film and starting posting the clips on YouTube. 4) Tag the clips with name of production / show and "Downtown Los Angeles"

They will be exhausted having to deal with their work being leaked and will be screeching back to the Universal backlot.

Easy.

nanorich on May 23, 2009, at 01:00PM – #35

Naw...they will just snag the footage to add to behind the scenes featurettes...

and not bother to pay for it.

The Simpsons on May 23, 2009, at 01:15PM – #36

If they're actually spending time and money figuring out who is shooting from a loft from one camera, sending a PA and a location manager there to try to intervene, then yes, posting footage of their productions while they are happening will have an impact.

Downtown on May 23, 2009, at 03:55PM – #37

The only reason I bother to blog on this post is because I truly love downtown and have lived/worked here for many years. Ideally, there is an amicable way to allow filming and the many new residences to co-exist peacefully. Most of what I read here is immature, overly-aggressive, and completely negative.

Seems many people want to blame FilmLA (rightfully so...) or the production or the location manager or the director or the a.d.'s or the city or the writers (that one doesn't make any sense). Attacking the film production with lights or noise only disturbs the rest of us and will be an inefficient solution that creates more problems.

There are positive ways to solve this problem just like any other person to person conflict. We are all people and we are all neighbors.

Please, does anyone have any positive solutions?

Greg Kr on May 23, 2009, at 04:52PM – #38

I thought there was a blood bath going on down there last night on 6th St. I went down with a head full of cold medicine to film some LAPD getting shot in the head or the body but found out it was a movie. Click on my name for the footage. I got Common firing his weapon and that chick from Scream Queens in the Audi. And some guy with a big nose but I cant think of his name.

Bert Green on May 23, 2009, at 06:11PM – #39

To "Downtown"-

You ask for positive solutions? The answer is the passage of the Special Conditions which were negotiated in good faith with this community over three years. The anger about filming is not about wanting it gone, but expecting film productions to play by the rules. There is nothing negative about that. It is the industry that has fought this at every turn.

Norbie 7 on May 23, 2009, at 07:15PM – #40

"Completely negative."

Yeah, that's right, all right. But I'm no one's shill. You?

Downtown on May 23, 2009, at 07:22PM – #41

Hi Bert,

Thanks for the positive reply. Maybe we are getting somewhere with this blog.

If the Special Conditions negotiation of the past 3 years was working efficiently (and I suspect it was not), why did it stop with this production?

Why did this film crew break the rules?

Is there a way we, downtown residents, can band together legally to enforce these rules?

Bert Green on May 23, 2009, at 07:43PM – #42

To "Downtown"

There is nothing negative about people wanting to have their rights defended, and this blog has long been a champion of this. Patronizing blogdowntown by statements like "maybe we are getting somewhere" are ignorant of the long history of the development on this issue over the past 4 years.

But, for your information, the Conditions have not been put into effect yet. They have been negotiated, and the negotiations were productive and cordial. Reps from the industry and from downtown sat and met for almost a year and crafted an agreement that everyone agreed was a fair compromise. Unfortunately, they have now been pulled from the City Council calendar by (other) industry people who lied to the council members and told them that the community agreed to voluntary compliance, rather than a desire to have them passed as an ordinance. There are desperate elements in the industry that will do anything to stop downtown residents from having any rights.

Film LA has been "voluntarily" complying with the rules, but not really. They need to be LAW to be effective. When Film LA makes a mistake and schedules a shoot that defies the Conditions, they just say oops and it goes ahead anyway. If the Conditions were law, as intended, that would not be possible.

Things are a lot better now than they were 5 years ago, but there is still a long way to go. Shoots like this one know full well that there is a residential population that they are disturbing, and they simply do not care. That would no longer be possible with the rules in effect.

You are hardly the first anonymous commenter to proclaim some vague dedication to downtown, all the while defending the industry. I am happy to explain what is going on behind the scenes, but I don't believe you live here. You'd have a lot more credibility if you identified yourself. Where do you live and work? Take it offline if you want, I can be found most days in my gallery at 5th & Main.

Bert Green on May 23, 2009, at 09:23PM – #44

Basically, right now, there are no hard rules. Other than health and safety, there is no legal obligation on the part of a film production to limit shooting to reasonable hours, or any restriction on the kinds of activity they may do. There are special notification requirements and signature survey requirements, but they have no real teeth if violated. Film LA is adhering to the Conditions on a voluntary basis, but a production can push for more and if they encounter no significant resistance, they usually get what they want. The entire point of crafting the Conditions was to put in place a set of rights and responsibilities for all parties, and to recognize the changing face of downtown.

I am not saying that this production did anything technically wrong by planning this shoot, because they went to Film LA and applied for a permit, it was approved, so in fact they followed the procedure. That's why I made my first comment that the notification system worked in this case. In the past most of us would have found out about the shoot after the streets were closed and the explosions began, so there has been some improvement from 5 years ago.

But I do fault them for not being sensitive to the fact that there are residents in the film zone, for not doing extensive signature surveys on a timely basis (before the street closures were approved), or for doing better individual outreach or trying harder to be good neighbors during filming.

Simply put, the only thing that will help to fix this is to make sure City Council hears from the residents that they want the rules to be put in place and enforced. In the meantime, it is important that residents vociferously complain to the location manager of the production, to their bosses, to Film LA, and the Jan Perry and Jose Huizar. There are many votes in downtown Los Angeles, and your Council members are voted into office by you, not by the occasional film company that goes back to the Valley or Santa Monica after they are done keeping you up all night long. Give them an earful and they may think twice next time, and do a much better job of prep before they start work.

Oscar on May 23, 2009, at 10:57PM – #45

I've been living here since 2003.

Didn't know about blogdowntown until a few months ago.

I am surprised that they came to my door to order me to stop recording and yet Greg was at street level and nobody said anything to him, other than the security guard.

GREG: Be careful or the 20th Century fos almighty lawyers might come after you, cease your equipment and take everything you have, including your soul.

Thank you to Ben Pezillo and Bert, (Is it OK if I go visit you during the day?) for all the info.

The one thing that was a little dissapointing to me was that even after I posted my cell and e-mail, nobody contacted me. All I asked is that if you lived in this block and were annoyed by the lack of respect towards the community could contact me to act together, "strength in numbers".

Because to be honest I DO have laser pointers, flashes, powerful light beams and other stuff that I could use to disrrupt abusive productions BUT I WILL NOT FIGHT ON MY OWN.

I will however get involved and complain and assist to the meetings (from time to time) but no more "subversive" methods since I did not find support.

I guess that is what this community is lacking, cohesion, social activism, etc. but everybody has an opinion.

Nobody wants to get involved and everybody is afraid of the neighbor unless he/she is white, good looking, and rich (not necessarily in that order) ... of course.

I still hope one day I get to meet you all personally and maybe form a friendship even if your views differ from mine, because there isn't any better way to reach clarity of mind than listening to opinions that are contrary to yours.

PS: I do not mispell by mistake (usually)... but I wish I was the one to call him "that guy with the big nose" instead...

Bert Green on May 24, 2009, at 12:54PM – #46

Oscar, please do stop by and say hello. But don't be disappointed by not getting a response to your request online for support, that is better done is a real life situation like the DLANC or other forum where people who really mean what they say are present.

Benjamin Pezzillo on May 24, 2009, at 07:52PM – #47

Imagine a shoot like this every week for several months straight. That is what got many energized two years ago because it was what we were experiencing.

Bert and others put in many unpaid, unrecognized hours to make serious headway in resolving solutions, not positions.

I take a position, enforce the Los Angeles Municipal Code that limits the use of private property for commercial filming to "occasional". Do that by capping the number of days any property can be used as a location set to a reasonable interpretation of occasional.

There's already a law to guide us, put active off-duty cops on sets to enforce it for residents as both FilmLA and the retired officers say they cannot. Capping is what has happened in many areas where burnout has occurred.

Special Conditions are not the end of the world. Plenty of productions still utilize the Arts District (they just don't get away with multi-story fireball effects in the middle of the night at Sun Chemical anymore). And Special Conditions can come with a renewal and review period.

Speaking of, for those who have taken issue with FilmLA, their contract nears expiration. Let's all be certain to share our thoughts on that with our civic leaders.

Francis on May 25, 2009, at 12:11PM – #48

You are allowed to photograph, and tape/film anything on a public street, since it is public - even people who don't wish to be filmed. Making money off it is another matter, but youtube should be permissible.

I say break out the loud speakers, and high intensity lights, laser pointers if the film crew becomes bothersome.

L.S. on May 27, 2009, at 11:39AM – #49

Downtown is a neighborhood not a back lot for the film industry. Can you imagine if Palos Verde or Glendale had an out of control film production in a neighborhood? Actually I can't, because it would never happen. Either the film companies pay the tenats, and the landlords, or they film on their own lot. If you can make me believe you sank an ocean liner in 1912 on film, why the hell can't you build a set that resembles 4th and Spring?

Pay tenants on May 27, 2009, at 02:03PM – #50

As a renter, I reap none of the financial benefits production companies pay when inconveniencing residential buildings.

Why should my landlord get the money when he doesn't have to deal with the shit from the film shoot?

Greg Kr on May 28, 2009, at 02:35AM – #51

I just made amends with the security guard from Friday night. Theyre all at 5th and Broadway right now but craft services is on 6th. 2nd unit though, they had a double for the guy with the big nose. My new doctor prescribed antibiotics for my pressure and codeine for my lungs but Im still having trouble sleeping. Im glad I went for a walk when I did and made amends with that lady. I will support your cause but I try to stay away from anger now a days.

JM on May 29, 2009, at 01:10PM – #53

I enjoy my noise as much as the next Downtowner, but I've had my fair share of buses exploding, rock bands blasting music so loud I couldn't hear anything else in my apartment with the windows closed at night, formula one cars spinning and screeching for hours from 7 am onwards on weekends, elephants roaming the streets, cars rewinding, fake shops appear and disappear, and I enjoy all it within reason. As long as FilmLA does its job like it's supposed to, and residents can make alternative plans or wear earplugs, hopefully we won't all have to move to Idaho...By the way, I hate that argument (if you don't like it, don't live here). Film companies LOVE Downtown, and, if anything, they're probably upset that it's no longer a dilapidated playground. We (mostly) all love movies, so a bit of mutual respect goes a long way.