Porn movies are driven out of Los Angeles

Porn film permits have dropped dramatically in L.A. County

• The new "Condom Police" Law will force the porn industry to re-locate out of state or to Mexico.
• Democrats drive yet more jobs out of the People's Republic of California.

 

Film permits requested by the porn industry have all but ceased in Los Angeles County as producers decide how to work around much opposed law that requires actors to wear condoms during shoots.

Film LA, the non profit organization that processes permits for motion picture, television and commercial production across Los Angeles, has seen applications for permits from the adult film industry plummet to only two so far this year.

In previous years, an estimated 500 film permits are requested by the adult film industry annually reports the Contra Costa Times.

"Most production companies have ceased shooting in LA County," said Diane Duke, chief executive officer of the Canoga-Park based Free Speech Coalition, the trade organization for the adult film industry. "They have other options in other states and communities."

In March, calls and inquiries from the adult film industry bombarded the city of Camarillo asking if there was a condom ordinance there.

As a result, the City Council placed a moratorium on adult film shoots for 45 days until it could decide, possibly later this month, what it will and won't allow.

"All I can say is a number of inquires led us to be concerned that we should look at this and decide if this is something we want to do," Don Davis, assistant city attorney for Camarillo, said of the adult film industry's sudden interest.

The decline in film permit applications and the porn industry's interest in Camarillo is an example of the ripple effect of Measure B, the ordinance that Los Angeles County voters passed in November that requires actors involved in explicit shoots to wear condoms. The law also requires adult film studios to apply for public health permits and for the county Department of Public Health to lead inspection and enforcement efforts. Health permits need to be attached to FilmLA applications.

As quickly as the ordinance passed, producers at many adult film studios threatened to leave the San Fernando Valley, where most pornographic movies have long been made, and, if possible, the state.

"Whether it's Camarillo or another California city that is in the news because of Measure B, we strongly believe that the law is wrong, which is why we are challenging it," said Steven Hirsch, founder and co-chairman of Universal City-based Vivid Entertainment. Hirsch and others have said the industry is watching and waiting for the outcome of a lawsuit filed by Vivid against Angeles County. The suit calls Measure B unconstitutional, saying it violates actors' rights to free speech and expression.

Arguments are set to begin next month in U.S. District Court.

"We now need the court to rule on our case," Hirsch said.

Stuart Waldman, president of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, said it's too early to tell if the industry is moving out. But the region will feel an economic impact if studios and production companies leave. Waldman said VICA was opposed to Measure B because it meant an estimated loss of 10,000 production jobs that the adult film industry attracts, including makeup, lighting, carpentry, transportation, food service, payroll processing, Web design and actors. The adult film industry has been estimated to generate between $1 billion to $11 billion a year.

"I think the industry is still trying to figure out what it's doing," Waldman said. "I think it's going to be a trickle effect, but one day we'll all ask, where did all this money go?"

He said the industry likely wants to stay in Los Angeles because it already has a built-in infrastructure and relationship with the San Fernando Valley. But the law may eventually squeeze filmmakers out.

"At some point they would have to make the decision to move to another state," Waldman said. "I think it's coming."

Democrat Party Condom Police
Democrat run Los Angeles will send condom inspectors to the sets of porn movie shoots to make sure the condoms are properly installed and snug with no leakage. Moron Democrats want to get a firm grip on both our wallets and deployed condoms.

Democrats (and many Republicans) are frightened to death that someone, somewhere might be enjoying their lives without the permission of the all-powerful Big Brother State.