Sidewalks Looked Empty as Streets were Packed

Does Film LA, Inc. even exist? Supposedly they’re supposed to plan ahead for this stuff.

i think the problem is that film la doesn’t realize they’re contractually obligated to do many other things besides rubber stamp each film permit and collect fees from all the studios & prodcos, regardless of any negative impact to the community.

there was another shoot that closed down the 3rd street tunnel this weekend, too. traffic was a mess, on all the surrounding streets.

saturday afternoon, i walked down main street from banquette. at 5th & main, i saw a couple crossing the street and hesitate when they saw all the production on the street. there were no signs posted saying that all businesses were open. i overheard as they stopped to ask a production employee, “is everything closed down the street?” he replied, “yeah, we’re filming.” the couple looked disappointed, so i stopped to interject, “all the businesses are open. pete’s cafe, blossom, banquette…” i help up my bag holding two slices of the best coffee cake ever as evidence.

it wasn’t an outright lie from the production team, just a lie of omission. but if i were a business on main street on saturday, i would’ve been pissed.

Banquette was closed on Sunday. I walked over there anticipating a the-the-best-bagel-toast-i-have-ever-had for breakfast and was dissapointed to see them closed.

I wonder if any of the local businesses that were effected by the film shoot were paid anything?

Productions should post signs indicating businesses are open, otherwise the production should compensate the business if impacted by their location shoot – it’s just that simple.

Allowing multiple closures of streets Downtown at the same time is something that will continue until more people pay attention to the Board of Public Works role in the street closure process.

FilmLA dumped a ton of permits on Downtown last week signaling a return to the same level of mismanaged over-filming that activated the neighborhood last year.

Don’t waste your time complaining to FilmLA about FilmLA, focus complaints with the Councilmembers, Mayor and the Board of Public Works (who approves FilmLA’s requests for street closures).

Tell them FilmLA is not proactive in protecting the community’s interests and that you want the Los Angeles Municipal Code with respect to protecting your right to enjoy your property and access to it despite location filming enforced.

It’s the only way the situation will ever change.