Blocked by Laziness?

So what? It's not like traffic is backed up because of it. In fact, there hardly seems to be any traffic at all. Sure, it might be unnecessary, but it's hardly the demon you're trying to make it out to be.

Traffic was indeed heavy on 6th yesterday due to the march (and had been for many weeks due to Will Smith's movie shoot shutting down Fig). Closing off an additional lane unnecessarily could not have been helping the cause. As of Sunday morning the lane remains closed, though they may be filming once again.

Traffic congestion is just ONE problem associated with lane closures.

Additional issues include STREET PARKING, STOREFRONT ACCESS/VISIBILITY and the relocation of BUS STOPS.

Ask any Downtown merchant what happens to their receipts for the day when a lane is taken in front of their store, then multiple that by the day in, day out level of over-filming Downtown.

If we want a Downtown alive with stores and sidewalk cafes, over-filming will need to be addressed sooner versus later.

Benjamin,

I believe Downtown residents can expect a continued onslaught of overfilming in the coming months as studios hurry headlong to start productions in reaction to a looming strike by the WGA. FilmLA claims that off the lot film production jumped 29% in the second quarter of 2007 and off the lot TV production increased 19% in the same period. I think we have all witnessed evidence of heightened activity in the last few weeks as outlined by Celia at 5th & Spring and this may just be the beginning. Both the SAG and DGA contracts terminate in July 2008 which will force the studios to rush major productions to start shooting by March 1, 2008.

sm: why don't we just erect a big electronic sigh with some cones in the corridor outside your apartment (assuming you live in one)? it won't back up traffic, and it's not a demon, so it should be okay.

Yes, I have read the same numbers but come to a different conclusion.

A WGAw action could impact television production past those episodes that remain unwritten but could only halt features in need of rewriting before, or once they are in, production. Even then, all other scenes could be shoot except those in need of a rewrite.

I don't see another SAG strike happening. Anyone remember the last one? How did it turn out?

The DGA strike? Want to really see production really leave Los Angeles and the United States? What is Spanish for Rolling, Action & Cut?

Over-filming will be corrected or The Industry will face a moratorium on filming in Downtown. It's that simple. People are less enamored with The Biz than those in The Biz think and the number of property owners against filming increases daily.

In short Dennis, if you know anyone who works in location production, I would encourage them to behave when they are Downtown -- their jobs depend on it.

Benjamin,

I'm only a public high school teacher so I have no connections to "The Industry". Even Olmos doesn't come and visit anymore.

Word will have to get out another way.

There seems to be a complete drop off in film production starting in September 1. Production hits a peak these last few days. So if we can just hang tight for another week.... it will be all quiet until Summer comes around again. And then we can start our bitchin' anew.

Dennis, I guess we'll have to use the Internet.

Traditionally, September is when television shows go back into production (return from hiatus) and summer blockbusters start thinking about filming.

Much of the wave of this weekend appeared to be commercials, a treat in and of themselves as football returns, the holiday shopping season approaches and new car models roll off the factory lines.