#BIDFORLA
ROUNDTABLES
We bring LA’s commercial production community together once a month—EPs, producers, bidders and more—for in-person discussions about the obstacles and opportunities associated with shooting in Los Angeles.
These sessions take place roughly the third Friday of every month, with the goal of surfacing actionable recommendations and insights to share with process and policy leaders seeking to ease the burden on productions and keep more jobs local.
At the heart of this effort is one clear objective: to be the voice of LA's commercial production community, ensuring its unique needs are brought forward in policy and permitting conversations that often center exclusively on film and television.
August 15
DATE: Friday August 15th, 2025
LOCATION: Deutsch LA (Playa Vista)
TIME: 9am-1pm
We’ll start promptly at 9:45 AM and wrap around 12:30 PM. The day will consist of two roundtable sessions, a short break in the middle, and a raffle to close out the day.
AGENDA
9:00am DOORS
9:45am WELCOME / KICK-OFF
10:00am ROUND 1
11:00am BREAK & ACTIVATE
11:30am ROUND 2
12:30pm RAFFLE & THANK YOUS
1:00pm WRAP
TOPICS—COMING SOON
We love topic suggestions (and snacks!)
If there's topic you’d like to see covered—or are interested in sponsoring coffee and pastries—please send us an email.
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The Real Factors Behind Winning (or Losing) the Job
When costs and policies are set without hearing from the people making the work, the whole production economy feels it. Join us for a roundtable focused on what’s really driving advertising production decisions in LA today—and how we can protect the future.
DISCUSSION TOPICS:
Rising Costs & Their Role in Decision-Making— How LA compares to other markets and how rising costs influence where work is awarded. This session explores the impact beyond the budget—the tradeoffs and workarounds required to secure a Bid for LA, and what that means for the people—and the local economy—who depend on it.
LA the GOOD—We all know the pain points: permits, parking, first responders. For a moment, let’s flip the script. From experienced crews, easy access to stages and gear, to those weird and wonderful one-of-a-kind resources, we want to hear about the unique elements that make LA the right choice for advertising production today.
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What’s Really Getting in the Way of Shooting in LA?
It’s no secret that LA production days are down—but when you get the people who actually make the work in a room, the real reasons become crystal clear. On April 11, we brought together bidders, producers, and EPs, to discuss the hidden friction behind today’s bidding decisions. Topics included permits (cost, logistics, timelines), parking, access to public vs. private locations, and the rising impact of first responder requirements.
Permits, Parking, and First Responders—Why LA Shoots Feel Harder
From complex permitting logistics to parking restrictions and first responder fees, attendees unpacked how LA’s layered systems add time, cost, and confusion to every job. These issues don’t just inflate budgets—they expand the scope and stress for producers, location teams, and agency partners alike.
The Multiplier Effect—And How It’s Driving Bids Away from LA
The group discussed how each added layer—from permitting delays to insurance and parking requirements—can quickly balloon the size and complexity of a shoot. The ripple effect makes it harder to justify LA as a location, even for teams who are based here and want to work locally.
What Other Markets Are Getting Right—And What We’d Love to See Here
New York, Chicago, and Atlanta came up repeatedly as markets getting it right. Participants highlighted everything from streamlined permitting and better location access to more nimble public-private coordination. There’s no shortage of love for LA—but as it stands, the barriers are costing us bids, and more importantly, awards.
