There is an issue before the Los Angeles City Council which your SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local Board requests you take action on today.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) has proposed the implementation of a network of large digital billboards on Metro-owned property throughout the city of Los Angeles that are adjacent to certain freeways and major streets. These digital billboards will range from 300 to 1,200 square feet in size and thirty to fifty feet in height, and could operate nearly 24 hours a day.
The project is now before the LA City Council for a vote this week. Digital billboards are a concern to the local entertainment industry as they affect the aesthetics of the city and may result in commercial, television and film production moving out of Los Angeles.
Please contact your L.A. City Councilmember today and urge them to pause on approving digital billboards until further studies can be done on the impact on the entertainment industry.
Every voice matters and time is of the essence.
Council member District 1 - Eunisses Hernandez, (213) 473-7001, councilmember.hernandez@lacity.org
Council member District 2 - Paul Krekorian, (213) 473-7002, councilmember.Krekorian@lacity.org
Council member District 3 - Bob Blumenfield, (213) 473-7003, councilmember.blumenfield@lacity.org
Council member District 4 - Nithya Raman, (213) 473-7004, contactCD4@lacity.org
Council member District 5 - Katy Yaroslavsky, 213) 473-7005, councilmember.yaroslavsky@lacity.org
Council member District 6 - Imelda Padilla, (213) 473-7006, councilmember.padilla@lacity.org
Council member District 7 - Monica Rodriguez, (213) 473-7007, councilmember.rodriguez@lacity.org
Council member District 8 - Marqueece Harris-Dawson, (213) 473-7008, councilmember.harris-dawson@lacity.org
Council member District 9 - Curren D. Price, Jr., (213) 473-7009, councilmember.price@lacity.org
Council member District 10 - Heather Hutt, (213) 473-7009, cd10@lacity.org
Council member District 11 - Traci Park, (213) 473-7011, councilmember.park@lacity.org
Council member District 12 - John Lee, (213) 473-7012, councilmember.Lee@lacity.org
Council member District 13 - Hugo Soto-Martínez, (213) 473-7013, councilmember.soto-martinez@lacity.org
Council member District 14 - Kevin de León, (213) 473-7014, councilmember.kevindeleon@lacity.org
Council member District 15 - Tim McOsker, (213) 473-7015, councilmember.mcosker@lacity.org
Here is some basic language for your calls and emails:
Phone Script
Hello. I am calling to urge Councilmember <Last Name Here> to hold on voting “Yes” on the Metro TCN project until the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority consults with relevant entertainment industry bodies regarding the impacts these digital billboards will have to on-location filming in the city of Los Angeles. As a resident of Los Angeles and a member of the entertainment industry, I have concerns that the installation of digital billboards throughout Los Angeles may result in commercial, television and film production moving out of Los Angeles. Thank you.
Email Template
Dear Councilmember <Last Name Here>,
As a resident of Los Angeles and a member of the entertainment industry, I urge you to hold on voting “Yes” on the Metro TCN project until the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority consults with the LA County Film Office and other relevant entertainment industry bodies regarding the impacts these digital billboards will have to on-location filming in the City of Los Angeles.
Several important factors production companies consider when choosing on location filming sites include but are not limited to, city aesthetics, character defining features, scenic vistas, ease of filming rules and requirements of jurisdictions, and production costs and complexities. For these reasons, the installation of digital billboards throughout Los Angeles may result in commercial, television and film production moving out of Los Angeles.
Thank you for your consideration.
<Your Name Here>