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Home My WebLink AboutAGENDA REPORT 1995 0614 CC SPC ITEM 03ATO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Sum CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT The Honorable City Council Donald P. Reynolds Jr., Administrative Services Manager E:J June 9, 1995 (Special Meeting June 14, 1995) Consider Request to Waive Film Permit Fees for Emerson College, June 19 and June 20, 1995 Per the Council's request June 7, 1995, staff is returning to report in detail the nature of the proposed student film project sponsored by Emerson College of Los Angeles, proposed for June 19, and June 20, 1995. This report will review the film permit fee resolution and the applicability of this proposal to the existing policy. Background Prior to adopting a formal film permit fee, the City addressed each film permit application on a case -by -case basis. On one occasion, the Council allowed a student project to film on Moorpark Avenue and Everett Street. This project, although it had good intentions, became a discouraging event for the City. The City was poorly represented in the local press, and members of the filming staff polluted the surrounding private properties requiring staff to immediately respond to the potential health hazard. On December 7, 1994, the Council adopted Resolution 94-1090, establishing filming permit fees for the City. Staff presented a detail of different filming fees in the County to arrive at the current fee of $100 filing the application and $600 per day. All additional costs including police staff, would be billed at the actual cost plus City overhead expenses. Section 4 of the Resolution exempts Moorpark based local businesses and non-profit organizations from the fees, but not the cost of City staff. In December, 1994, the amount of the filming fee was discussed in detail. It is staffs interpretation that the Council wishes to attract professional filming companies to the City, which can afford to make accommodations for the residents and the local business community, and pay for City costs related to the project. Therefore, the fee of $600 was adopted, realizing that for some operations, this amount may discourage their activities in Moorpark, but that this discouragement would correspond with the Council's intent. Discussion Per the presentation from Emerson College representatives on June 7, 1995, it is apparent that this project cannot be completed if the City enforces the standards set forth in the current Resolution. Therefore, the ability of the Emerson project to be completed in Moorpark relies on the cost to them imposed by the City. To -date, the Administrative Services Manager has spent three hours on the proposal at a cost of $58 per hour, for a total of $174, (including this report which wouldn't be necessary if they followed the standards). Project Proposal Staff has received an application (Attachment "A") and followed up -for additional details. These details have also been considered by the Moorpark Police Department. Essentially, this project proposes a minimal impact to the City if all of the proposed conditions are met. Based on this impression, the Moorpark Police Department recommends one officer to be on -sight for the proposed 28 hours of filming. The staging area for the project is proposed to be behind the Bar-B-Que Joint on High Street, with filming activity in -doors at the Whistle Stop Saloon and Bar-B-Que Joint on Monday June 19, from 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. On the second day, they will film during the same hours spending the first half of the day filming a car both in and out of the City's northern boundary on Highway 23 (Walnut Canyon), from North of Broadway Road, to within 2 miles of the High Street -Moorpark Avenue intersection. They reportedly have a Cal -Trans encroachment permit for another location and will be adding this aspect to the existing permit. During the car filming, one camera will be placed inside the car. The second half of the day will be filmed inside the Kahoots Livery Store at the corner of Moorpark Avenue and High Street. As proposed, the project will not impede public right-of-way. The City will condition the project to use vehicles to transport equipment from the staging area to all of the other three locations. There will be generator at all three locations, but no cables will be placed on City streets or sidewalks. They will not be filming late, so use of bright lights are not needed, and based on the application, will not be interfering with traffic. The Moorpark Melodrama does not have a production scheduled for these evenings, and staff has not heard from any other businesses in the area that may be impacted. Project Costs The proposed permit cost is described in Attachment "B." Following Resolution 1994-1090, the cost will be $4,260, ("Scenario "A"). If the Council considers them to be uniquely exempt per Section 4 of the Resolution, the cost will be $3,540. It has been expressed to staff that even the $3,540 amount would prevent them from filming, and staff has identified a few other options. If rental of the Redevelopment Agency's property is waived, the cost would be $2,540. This City would still require the standard insurance, hold -harmless and indemnification certifications. The less expensive options identified in Attachment "B" are those kinds of options that the City has allowed for local non-profit groups. This was more easily justified because the community was the direct beneficiary of the cost savings which promoted the event. Two obvious examples include the recent Chamber of Commerce Circus event, and the Roam'n Relics car show. Although a few City businesses will receive some benefit from the thirty crew members's proposed to film in Moorpark, there is no other apparent benefit. Compared to other productions, Moorpark's exposure would be minimal. Therefore, staff cannot recommend waiving fees for this event, and establishing a cost to the City which results in very little positive exposure or sales tax revenue. If the Emerson College project cannot meet the City's standards including fees, then it is staffs position that they should find a location that is within their means. Recommendation That the City Council deny the request from Emerson College to waive fees, but allow the use of the property for a nominal fee ("Scenario "B" in Attachment "B") and provide the City with the appropriate indemnification, hold -harmless provision and insurance, per the attached film permit application and letter. Attachments- A) Emerson College Request for Fee Waiver and Project Description B) City Fee Calculations 02/01/1994 01:04 2138744819 EMERSON COLLEGE! PAGE 01 f —Dr " Bloodlines" 3800 Barham Blud, Suite 318 (213) 851-8206 or 8217 June 8, 1995 00n Reynolds City of Moorpark 799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark CA 93021 Tell (805) 529-6864 ext. 249 Par, (805) 529-9270 Dear Don, Emerson College Los Rngeles CA 90068 faH: (213) 874-4819 Hello! It was a pleasure meeting you last night. As per our conversation, there are a few points we wanted to clarity as follows. * The driving scene takes place on Highway 23 but is 2-3 miles from the intersection of Highway 23 and High Street. The camera will be in the car and we're driving in the scene at regular speed, and will not be impeding traffic at all. * we have a small crew and a total respect for safety rules and regulations, and citizens. * The Moorpark Melodrama does not have shows on Monday (6/19) or Tuesday (6/20) therefore we shouldn't inconvenience them by parking in the Bar BQ lot, however, we could be in the gravel lot if necessary. * We would like to invite some of the citizens of Moorpark to be ,extras, in the film, and we plan on patronizing some of the local businesses for food, gas and props. * We are non-profit (our tax exempt # is 041286950), and we really need the special consideration normally granted by most cities to student productions (ids waiver of the application & permit fees, staff time, and RDA property fee). we are anxiously awaiting further word from you on this. Would you advise us to attend the Wednesday meeting? We actually begin shooting this Saturday the loth, but will break away to attend the city meeting it you feel it would be helpful for our case. Thanks very much for your consideration. Since el t Holly Mach key & Gloria Pryor finer6on College , Loa Angeles Center • 3800 Barham Boulevard • c5ultc 318 (213) 876-8432 Las Angeles, California 90068 fax (213) 874-4819 JUN 8 '95 10:27 2139744819 PAGE.001 0 01/29/1994 03:11 2138744819 EMERSON COLLEGE! PAGE 02 EXHIBIT A TO ATTACHMENT A CITY OF MOORPARK COMME21CAL MOTION PTCTMEZSTILL PHOTOGRAPHY FARZ 1_ DATE 05. 9 5-95• (To Be Completed By Applicant) COMPANY NAME~C7��F} i L ��.{S,�' 1 �►. r+�-S� ADDRESS -CM:"(ZIP) 9Q:)LSP3 PHONE.-Mk-$7.,Z:�(� REPRESENTATIVEF- _LOCATION SUPERVISoR_E.V FILMIMG DATES_.TOTAL DAYS PRODUCTION TITL$ SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL_ JNn L . l t. to i t�i 6 O N R 2. TN4'Lc_Tt.1 a� �c� sT+�.��,^C rates R•PR4�t , s n�.+�ES - �� trN�t ti]6 N� t- AND CT-5 p �2 LOCATIONS AND TIMES (:A XU STREET CLOSURE we TRAFFIC CONTROL Y.F�,S FQ =NO - ANIMALS ✓ PYRO SPEC. TECHNICS CONDS. If Yes, Please Explain NUMBER OF VEHICLES: Trucks_A Cars. o Vans t other- Total NUMBER OF PERSONNEL: Cast JX_ Crew � —O-- Other Total A Certificate of Insurance must be on hand with the city prior to filmimg. Please attach proof of ,insurance to include name of company, policy number and amount. The certificate shall not be subject to cancellation or modification until after 30-days written notice to the City. Applic Signature 0zz JUN 5 195 12:35 P] 7R7ddA1 Q onr_c rara EMERS ON COLLEGE LOS ANGELES CENTER SPECIAL CLASS OFFERING — SUMMER 1995 Emerson L.A., the off -campus study program of Boston's Emerson College, is now in its eighth successful year. Our intensive approach has helped provide students with the professional and academic training necessary to succeed in creative and executive positions throughout the entertainment industry. In the summer of 1995 we hope to offer a unique educational opportunity where students can work under the tutelage of professionals in an eight week program to complete a film. The educational benefits of this experience would be invaluable. As you know, traditionally there are two ways of hands-on learning —student films and internships. Student filmmaking has always been difficult. Access to equipment, crew, actors, locations, and props is usually quite limited, and the creative and organizational demands are rigorous. But as costs continue to rise, we are increasingly concerned that many students cannot afford to make films of narrative or visual complexity. And while internships give students important knowledge of the industry, they are often limited to low-level crew assignments with little or no access to key creative personnel or the creative process. In our program, however, students will be an active part of all aspects of making a movie. Orientation is planned for the week of May 29, 1995. Students will get copies of early drafts of the script, as well as the shooting script. They will participate in discussions which chart the process of script development, and each student will have the opportunity to approach the script with her or his own vision of how the film might be shot. Two weeks of pre -production will follow, with students being assigned to various departments according to their areas of interest. Students will also participate in daily seminars with the key production personnel guiding the film such as the director, screenwriter, producer, director of photography, and production designer. The focus will not only be on what each individual does, but also on the process of adapting what they do to a specific film; for example, how the production designer takes information in the script and uses it to make decisions about things that are not mentioned in the script, or how the casting director might approach looking for an actor to fill a role that is difficult to cast. In addition, students will be participants in all creative and production meetings, including auditions, location scouting, and rehearsals. Three weeks of shooting will begin on June 10. Students will participate as crew members under the guidance of experienced department heads. They will see first-hand how critical day-to-day decisions are made while taking a movie from page to screen, and have the chance to ask questions, discuss, and participate in hands-on filmmaking. In the typical student film experience, students operate in a vacuum, shooting without guidance. Then a professor becomes involved after the fact; critiquing, and offering suggestions only for what might have been. In this program, however, students will be able to learn from experienced professionals at every step of the process. In the two weeks following the shoot, students will wrap-up the production and participate in mapping out a post -production schedule. They will analyze the dailies, artistically and technically, and prepare their own individual editing strategies. Then, moving into the editing room, students will participate in the first assembly of the film. We believe this will be an unforgettable experience for the students involved, but we cannot hope to provide it without the help of the entertainment community. C.B.S. Studio Center , Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Disney Studios, and Warner Brothers have all agreed to provide support, and The Directors Guild of America has graciously agreed to grant a waiver so that its members may assist in the project. The cooperation of other entertainment companies and unions will also be necessary. We hope we can count on your support. 3800 Barham Boulevard, Suite 318 - Los Angeles, CA 90068 - Phone: (213) 876-8432 - Fax: (213) 874-4819 "BLOODLINES" Phoebe Philms 3800 Barham Blvd, Ste. 318 Los Angeles, CA 90068 213-851-8206 fax 213-8744819 The below listed companies have graciously donated the following: 3M CORPORATION Nagra stock (20 boxes) 20TH CENTURY FOX; "Picket Fences" 6,350' Kodak raw stock AGFA 90,000' Print stock ANDY GUMP AUDIO SERVICES CORPORATION Nagra & peripherals CBS STUDIO CENTER 5 Ton grip/electric Back lot Sound stages Swing trucks On set office CHAPMAN LEONARD STUDIO EQUIPMENT INC. Panther Dolly COUFAL ISLAND SOUND WaMe-talkies & peripherals EAGLE EYE 8 Plate flat bed HILL PRODUCTION SERVICE, INC. Camera package JOMAR EQUIPMENT CO., INC. 3 Room trailer & stake bed KINO FLO, INC. Kino Flo lights MAXELL DAT tapes TOWARDS 2000, INC. Specialty lighting PARAMOUNT PICTURES Post -production facility PROP SERVICES UNLIMITED Fog machine SAMY'S CAMERA Nikkon 8008 still camera & polaroid film STAR WAGGONS Star waggon UNIVERSAL PICTURES; Barbara De Fina, Cappa Productions, "Casino" 48,000' 35mm Kodak raw stock WARNER BROS. Set dressing Props Wardrobe THE WALT DISNEY CO. Kodak raw stock & misc. equipment YOUNG GENERATORS INC. Generator "BLOODLINES" Phoebe Philms 3800 Barham Blvd., Ste. 318 Los Angeles, CA 90068 213-851-8206 fax 213-8744819 OTHER VARIOUS DONATIONS: ABBA HAIR PRODUCTS ARUNEE HOUSE AUBURN FARMS, INC. BAKERS SQUARE RESTAURANT & PIE SHOP BARONE'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT BALDWIN, VARELA & COMPANY BRAXTON JEANS BREADSHOPS NATURAL FOODS CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN CARTER SEXTON ARTIST'S MATERIALS COMTEL CORP. DR. RAWSOCK EL POLLO LOCO EARTH WIND & FLOUR EXPENDABLESPLUS FILM SOURCE HOLLYWOOD STATIONARY & PRINTING ISLAND'S FINE BURGERS & DRINKS JULIANA'S KALI'S SPORTNATURALS LITTLE THAI CAFE MICELI'S RESTAURANT NOT JUST BAGELS NUMERO UNO OFFICE DEPOT ONE HOUR PHOTO PIZZA FACTORY PIZZA HUT PREMIER ENTERTAINMENT RAINTREE CLEANERS REGAL RENTS SHA SHA CAFE SUBWAY SUNSET EXPENDABLES TOMMY'S HAMBURGERS VIKING OFFICE PRODUCTS THE WEINER FACTORY UPP ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING WESTERN BAGELS ZACH'S ITALIAN CAFE A r Attachment "B" Emerson College Film Permit Cost Scenario A Per Resolution 94-1090 Application Fee $ 100 Permit Fee (2 days @ $600 each) $ 1,200 Police- One Deputy @ $70 per hour 2- 14 hour days $ 1,960 Rental of Redevelopment Agency Property (one parcel- 2 days) $ 1,000 Total Cost $ 4,260 Per Resolution 94-1090- Property Rental at $100 per day Application Fee $ 100 Permit Fee (2 days @ $600 each) $ 1,200 Police- One Deputy @ $70 per hour 2- 14 hour days $ 1,960 Rental of Redevelopment Agency Property (one parcel- 2 days) $ 200 Total Cost $ 3,460 s Other Options Applying the "exempt" Section 4 of the resolution, the fees would equate to: Administrative Services Manager 10 hours @ $58/hour $ 580 Police- One Deputy @ $70 per hour $ 1,960 With MRA Property Rental $ 1,000 $ 3,540 With out MRA Property Rental $ 2,540 Billing Police at cost ($36/hour) $ 1,008 Subtract $952 from above figures