Page 4 ❑ Monday, March 29, 2004 ❑ Santa Monica Daily Press
LOCAL
Downtown filming and event fees take a hike FEES, from page 1 ally an asset to downtown Santa Monica. “We could never pay for the advertising that we get as a result of having filming, both still shoots and commercial filming, on the Promenade,” said Kathleen Rawson, Bayside’s executive director. “There’s no way. It’s priceless.” Bayside controls a $900,000 budget, two-thirds of which comes from City Hall. Last year, Bayside generated $32,218 in filming revenues, and it expects to generate about $37,000 this fiscal year, which ends this summer. Rawson told board members the film income is “a nice cushion,” but later added she doesn’t know exactly how much the fee increases will generate because filming comes in spurts. “It’s all dependent upon what the season is like,” she said. “It’s going to be
very hard to project. I didn’t make any changes in the budget based on a change in fees because it’s so hard to say what will happen.” Filming has remained constant in recent years, Rawson added, saying there are typically two or three camera crews in downtown Santa Monica each month. The crews have worked on everything from reality shows, late-night talk shows, sitcoms and feature films to magazine ads for Dodge, Neon and Neiman Marcus, and commercials for Arby’s, which are currently airing. Bayside officials rarely turn away crews — but they will if the shoot has a negative impact on downtown businesses or impinge on nearby residents. Other considerations include impacting the carts that sell goods along the pedestrian walkway, street performers and access for emergency workers.
“We could never pay for the advertising that we get as a result of having filming, both still shoots and commercial filming, on the Promenade. There’s no way. It’s priceless.” – KATHLEEN RAWSON Executive director, Bayside District Corp.
“We won’t, for example, close down Santa Monica Boulevard,” Rawson said. “There are physical restrictions because it is never our goal to have severe traffic or pedestrian impacts that would be negative.” Board members voted to raise the fees without any discussion. As part of the decision, they also agreed to increase the
fees groups must pay to stage events downtown. Currently, a one-block event costs $1,500, while an auto show or a “festival,” that runs the length of the Promenade, costs $3,000. Under the new fee schedule, a one block event will cost $1,700, auto shows will go for $3,200, and staging a festival will cost $3,800.
Kristine Johnson Fountain of Joy The Kristine Johnson Fountain of Joy is seeking donations. Situated in a courtyard garden visible to the community, the fountain will be a respite for those seeking faith, peace and hope amongst the challenges of the world.
The fountain is a tribute to the love and joy that graced Kristi's life and the community which gave so generously during the search for Kristi prior to finding her body in the Hollywood hills.
ESS DEVELOPMENT USIN CEN B LL TE A R SM
8a.m. and 1p.m. Key note speaker: Beate Chelette President of BeateWorks
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