HOLLYWOOD -- Off-lot feature production in Hollywood generated fairly solid totals in January but nothing to suggest studios have started stockpiling for possible writers and actors strikes yet.
Permitted feature production days totaled 701, up 21 from December, according to figures released Wednesday by the Entertainment Industry Development Corp. Total topped all but four months of 2003 and was 121 days ahead of January 2003.
But the January 2004 total was nowhere near the figures logged during the first half of 2001, when each month's activity topped 1,000 days in a production boom created by fear of work stoppages by the WGA, SAG and AFTRA. Insiders believe studios could start a similar ramp-up in coming weeks, should the contract talks break down or become significantly confrontational.
SAG and AFTRA, which face a June 30 contract expiration, held a second day of film-TV negotiations Wednesday amid a news blackout and continued expectations that a tentative deal will emerge by the end of the month. Talks have not been set yet for the WGA, which faces a May 2 expiration.
"We're seeing a decent amount of feature activity locally -- not super-strong but not horribly weak either," noted Steve Dayan, business manager for location managers repped by Teamsters Local 399. "I thought we might see more activity due to the possibility of labor unrest but it hasn't shown up yet. We're certainly hoping they can make a good deal."
Features lensing locally in January included "Collateral," "Crash," "Cursed," "Hostage" and "SpongeBob SquarePants."
Lisa Rawlins, chair of the EIDC board, said, "It's encouraging to see the increase in off-lot activity from December 2003 and we're hopeful that it continues for this year."
The EIDC also reported that January TV production totaled 998 days, which would have been the fifth-lowest level of 2003. But the figure was also 105 days ahead of January 2003 and 115 ahead of December.
Dayan said the prospect of a busy pilot season, which should start in the latter half of February, would help make up for cancellations of "Threat Matrix" and "Karen Sisco."
TV activity, spurred by the growth of cable and reality shows, was up 13% last year over 2002 and higher than any other yearly total. Series shooting locally include "24," "The District," "The Division" and "On Air With Ryan Seacrest."
Report also showed moderate activity in commercial shoots with 540 days, down 80 from December and up 25 from January 2003. The figure topped all but four months last year.
Contact Dave McNary at
dave.mcnary@variety.com