MORE TV PRODUCERS LURED AWAY BY TAX INCENTIVES

Even as production of television pilots booms, thanks to more original programming being produced for cable TV, the percentage being produced in Hollywood continues to dwindle, according to a new report by FilmL.A., the group that coordinates the issuance of film permits for location shooting in the area. The report indicates that while 169 pilots were produced for the 2010/2011 development season, just 51 percent were produced in the Los Angeles area, down from 58 percent for the prior year and down from 82 percent six years ago. At the same time, New York, which has enhanced its tax incentives to lure producers, produced 17 pilots versus just five the previous year. FilmL.A. observed that incentives were available in every non-California location where pilot production took place, including international locations such as Canada, the Czech Republic and New Zealand.