L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan gave production managers all over Hollywood a reason to celebrate the new year Thursday when he said the Office of Entertainment Industry Affairs will officially accept film permit applications by fax 24 hours a day as of Jan. 15.
"I am dedicated toward keeping the entertainment industry in Los Angeles," Riordan said in a statement announcing the change.
"I believe that the 'permit by fax' process will prove to be a benefit to all parties involved, and I am eager to get it going."
The new "permit by fax" forms will be available through the City Film & Video Permit Office today. For information, call the office at (213) 461-8614, or fax the Office of Entertainment Industry Affairs at (213) 237-1020.
Riordan said he hoped the change would mean more film and TV productions would stay in L.A.
Jonathan Roberts, director of the Motion Picture & Television Affairs department, said the measure was the first of many "efforts to streamline permitting procedures and offer a true service-oriented operation."
He said the office's closing time would be changed from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.
Contact the Variety newsroom at
news@variety.com