City reports 2022 was strong year for local filming
The city of Santa Clarita saw an increase in location filming in 2022, with the Film Office reporting 591 film permits and 1,549 location film days, which generated an estimated $38.5 million in economic impact to the local community.
This represents a 3.7% increase in permits, a 2.9% increase in film days and a 2.2% increase to the estimated economic impact when compared to 2021, according to a statement released by the city.
Coming off of a solid year in 2021, which saw 579 film permits, 1,505 film days and over $37 million in positive estimated economic impact, the 2022 numbers were records in all categories, the statement said.
The Santa Clarita Film Office has averaged more than 500 permits processed, more than 1,300 film days and more than $30 million in estimated economic impact annually since 2014, according to the statement.
Not included in the reported numbers are the film days and economic benefit from filming that takes place on certified sound stages, which do not require a film permit.
“Since the Santa Clarita Film Office began issuing permits for filming in 2003 there has been continual growth every single year and 2022 was no exception,” Mayor Jason Gibbs said in the city statement. “Home to dozens of sound stages, a multitude of studios and movie ranches and unique settings for location filming, Santa Clarita is one of the most filmed communities in California, helping to boost our local economy and provide quality jobs.”
The statement said many factors have contributed to the continued success and appeal of filming in Santa Clarita, including the city’s Film Incentive Program, Movie Ranch Overlay Zone, low-cost permit fees and expedited permit processing, along with the California Film and Television Tax Credit Program.
Additionally, Santa Clarita is home to several studios and movie ranches that attract a large number of productions to the area. Santa Clarita is also located within the entertainment industry’s advantageous “Thirty-mile Zone” and offers thousands of filmfriendly locations that can double as almost anywhere in the world.
More than half of the film days reported in 2022 were attributed to television production alone. Many of the shows that were either locally based or frequently filmed in town included “Your Honor,” “CSI: Vegas,” “Bosch Legacy,” “Lincoln Lawyer,” “91-1,” “The Patient,” “Mayans MC,” “The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers,” “NCIS,” “S.W.A.T.,” “The Old Man,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “The Morning Show.”
Numerous feature films were shot in Santa Clarita in 2022, including “The Fablemans,” ”Eighty for Brady,” “Don’t Worry Darling,” “Oppenheimer,” “Amsterdam” and “Purple Hearts.” In addition, many music videos, including those by artists such as Black Pink, Charlie Puth, Michael Bublé and Taylor Swift, were filmed on location in Santa Clarita, as were various commercials and online content.
Filming benefits the local economy in several ways, the city statement said. Productions spend several millions of dollars each year on rentals and goods from businesses (small and large), local agencies, school districts, homeowners and nonprofits. Hotels, restaurants, attractions, shopping centers and hardware stores, among others, receive direct compensation and generate tax revenue that helps fund roads, programs, recreation and public safety.
For more information about filming in Santa Clarita, visit FilmSantaclarita.com or contact the Film Office at 661-284-1425.