1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: March 25, 2025
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Patrick Prescott, Community Development Director VIA: Simone McFarland, Assistant Community Development Director BY: Mary Hamzoian, Economic Development Manager
SUBJECT
: Consideration of Options to Assist the Entertainment Industry Including Implementation of a Potential Task Force or Film Commission
RECOMMENDATION
1. Note and file.
2. Direct staff to provide direction to partner with the Chamber on the formation of an official City of Burbank Film Commission and to bring back a second step report on the establishment of the commission, including the commission member composition and the initial funding needs.
BACKGROUND
At the February 27, 2024, City Council (Council) meeting, Mayor Nikki Perez requested a first step report for Council to discuss establishing an entertainment industry task force.
Promoting and assisting our local entertainment industry is a top priority of the City Council.
As the “Media Capital of the World”, the film and television industry are an integral component of the City’s economy, providing thousands of jobs and supporting local businesses, from production studios to a variety of support services, including costume and wardrobe, equipment rental, and catering. The industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, including the continued recovery from the pandemic, the impact of major labor strikes, and the increasing trend of productions relocating to other states. These disruptions have affected not only studio operations but the many workers and businesses that rely on a thriving entertainment sector within the City. As Burbank
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
2 continues to navigate these challenges, the Council may wish to consider options to assist the entertainment industry through initiatives that maintain the City’s status as a premier destination for film and television production, ensuring economic stability and growth for the community.
DISCUSSION
In response to the Mayor’s request, the City’s Economic Development team began researching options to develop and support an entertainment industry task force. While conducting this research, the City was approached by the Burbank Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) with a proposal to work collaboratively with the City to develop and implement solutions to grow and sustain the entertainment industry in Burbank.
Burbank Chamber of Commerce Collaboration
Recognizing the importance of the entertainment sector in Burbank and the impact of this industry on the local economy, the Chamber approached the City with an offer to collaborate on initiatives that will aide in developing incentives and programs to retain and attract new entertainment industry companies and jobs to Burbank. One of the proposed initiatives is the establishment of an official City of Burbank Film Commission.
Burbank Film Commission
The Chamber proposes that the City establish a City of Burbank Film Commission.
Several cities in the region operate film commissions, including Los Angeles, Malibu, Santa Clarita, Big Bear Lake and Temecula. Establishing a film commission can offer numerous long- term benefits compared to a one- time task force. A dedicated film commission can provide consistent support for the local film and television industry, serving as a central resource for productions, working with City personnel to streamlin e permitting processes, and promoting the City as a prime filming destination. An established commission can foster long- lasting relationships with studios, independent filmmakers, and indu stry professionals, ensuring ongoing investment in the local economy. Additionally, a film commission can advocate for policies and incentives that keep productions in the City, preventing job losses and economic downturns caused by productions moving elsewhere. A commission that will continue in perpetuity can develop and implement long- term strategies and sustain advocacy and industry relationships, ensuring continuity, stability, and economic growth by consistently working to attract and retain productions while supporting the needs of the local industry.
A commission may also carry significantly more standing with legislative representatives and industry leaders, being r ecognized as an official entity advocating for the local film and television industry. This recognition could allow greater influence when working with state agencies on tax incentives, grants, and policy initiatives. A commission may also be viewed as more credible within the entertainment sector, allowing it to build stronger relationships with studios, production companies, and industry labor groups. Unlike a task 3 force, which would be a short-term advisory body, a commission will represent the City’s long-term commitment to making Burbank an attractive and competitive destination for productions.
While it is proposed that the Chamber will manage coordination of the commission, the City would be actively involved to ensure the policies and initiatives align with the Council’s goals and community interests. A partnership between the City and the Chamber offers several key advantages while maintaining City involvement. The Chamber has strong ties with local businesses and understands the needs of the entertainment industry, allowing for an emphasis on a business -friendly, proactive approach to attracting and retaining productions. The Chamber’s mission aligns with promoting local businesses, ensuring that productions benefit the broader business community, from hospitality to retail.
Chamber management of the commission also provides greater f lexibility in exploring opportunities and reduces the resource strain that a City-managed task force would incur, allowing City staff to focus on other City priorities.
Local Resource Hub and Media Industry Expo
In addition to the establishment of a film commission, the Chamber also proposes to develop a media guide and interactive application, providing a comprehensive local resource hub highlighting City filming locations, vendor directories, and essential production services within Burbank. Lastly, the Chamber’s plan includes facilitating an annual Media Industry Expo, bringing together emerging and established talent, production companies, and tech nology innovators, fostering collaboration and showcasing Burbank’s robust and diverse media ecosystem.
Additional City Initiatives
On March 19, 2024, Council adopted the Five- Year Economic Development Strategic Plan 2024-2025 (Plan) (Attachment 1). The Plan outlines six key economic development goals, with Goal Number Four specifically dedicated to retaining and expanding Burbank’s established and emerging industries. A major focus within this goal is the creative sector, which in addition to the film and television industry, also focuses on video games and interactive medi a, content creation, music and performing arts, marketing, and literature. The Economic Development team is working with Stratiscope, the consultant that facilitated the development of the Plan, to work on additional initiatives to continue to enhance and build the greater Burbank creative sector. These initiatives include promoting the City’s creative industry through marketing and branding and designating a media sector liaison to proactively engage media-related companies in the City. Updates on the status of implementation of Plan objectives, including creative sector specific initiatives, will be provided to Council later this year. 4 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This report has no potential for resulting in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change to the environment and falls outside the definition of a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is therefore not subject to CEQA review pursuant to § 15378 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (CEQA Guidelines).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report . Should Council approve moving forward with establishing a local film commission, the anticipated fiscal impact will be included in staff’s second step report to Council.
CONCLUSION
In alignment with the Council’s priority to support and strengthen Burbank’s local entertainment industry, the Chamber has proposed to partner with the City on the establishment of an official City of Burbank film commission. This partnership allows the City to provide long -term support for the entertainment sector through leveraging the Chamber’s deep ties to local businesses and industry expertise. Additionally, the Chamber proposes pursuing additional entertainment industry initiatives, including implementing a local industry resource hub and facilitating an annual media industr y expo.
Staff recommends Council provide direction to partner with the Chamber on the formation of an official City of Burbank film commission and to bring back a second step report on the establishment of the commission, including the commission member composition and the initial funding needs. Once these initiatives have gained momentum, staff will work in partnership with the Chamber to establish a multi-year plan and identify further strategies to support and expand the City’s film and television industry.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment 1 – Five-Year Economic Development Strategic Plan