Los Angeles is the movie capital of the world—or no less than, it was once. As creatives flee to cheaper, extra supportive cities, we have to ask: who’s actually answerable for pushing manufacturing out of L.A.? One reply: FilmLA.
This so-called nonprofit operates like a cartel with an internet site. And never even a superb one. Their website is a damaged, complicated, outdated mess that feels deliberately tough to navigate. It’s the front-facing symptom of a deeper rot: a privatized paperwork that exists to extract, delay, and hinder relatively than assist.
The Metropolis of Los Angeles made a vital error when it privatized its movie allowing course of and handed energy to FilmLA. The consequence? Prices went up, transparency went down, and the little man acquired squeezed. The very very first thing FilmLA did was increase the value of movie permits. That’s proper—at a time after we’re combating to maintain jobs right here, when crew and creators are scraping to make payroll, FilmLA’s reply was to make it dearer to work in Los Angeles.
Observe the cash.
Why is a personal firm accountable for public movie permits? This isn’t some fringe query—it’s a disaster of public belief. FilmLA holds metropolis energy however operates with out metropolis accountability. No public finances, no public scrutiny, no democratic oversight. It’s corruption with a shiny nonprofit emblem on high. Nearly as corrupt as a few of the union leaders who declare to struggle for employees whereas lining their very own pockets.
Keep in mind through the strike when a union chief quietly put her personal husband to work for the WGA—getting paid—whereas the remainder of her union struggled on the picket strains? Then she turns round and tells everybody he was “volunteering.” That’s the identical sort of closed-door hypocrisy that lets FilmLA thrive.
Uncover the reality now
The town should demand a full forensic audit—of FilmLA’s funds, contracts, electronic mail correspondence, and the way selections are made about allow approvals and price constructions. How a lot is being funneled to govt salaries? Who’s profiting off the allowing delays? Why does the method appear to mysteriously “ease up” for studios however not for locals?
FilmLA has weaponized paperwork in opposition to the very folks it’s presupposed to serve. It’s a humiliation, a legal responsibility, and a job-killer. And it’s time for it to finish. Public allowing needs to be run by town—not outsourced to an unaccountable company propped up by the identical energy video games that plague Hollywood labor politics.
Burn it down. Audit all the pieces. Begin over—with transparency, public oversight, and precise assist for the individuals who constructed this city.