Pilot production in the Los Angeles area was down for the 2016-17 development season, with two dozen fewer projects being made for broadcast, cable and digital outlets than the previous cycle, FilmL.A. reported Wednesday.

“Despite this year’s smaller crop of pilots, Los Angeles’ television industry is robust,” said Paul Audley, president of the nonprofit film and TV office serving the greater Los Angeles region. “With so many projects under way, California is home to more scripted series than its top five competitors combined.”

A total of 173 pilots were produced by L.A.-based companies, of which 65 were full straight-to-series productions, according to FilmL.A.’s 2017 Pilot Production Report, which tallied a total of 68 pilots filmed in the Los Angeles region.

“When it comes to television, L.A. production has never been stronger,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl said. “This report demonstrates that L.A. is still the place to shoot, whether you’re producing pilots or series. And as a former actress, I am well aware of how many jobs each and every one of those episodes generates.”

FilmL.A. also reported there are 173 live-action series currently in production in California, of which 30 receive the California Film & Television Tax Credit. According to the report, shows receiving the tax credit will spend an estimated $1.72 billion during the present season.

If you grew up in Detroit, someone on your block worked for a car manufacturer or owned a business where autoworkers spent their paychecks. Here in L.A., the same goes for our entertainment industry — it’s the bedrock of our middle class,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “Today’s report further demonstrates the importance of our California Film and Television Tax Credit, which is keeping production where it belongs — in Los Angeles — and making our city home to more scripted television than its top competitors combined.”

–City News Service

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