Commercials, TV offset L.A. shooting dip

Mid-January has seen a steady pace of offlot production in Los Angeles, as strong performances by commercials and TV more than offset a decline in feature shoots. Overall activity last week hit 639 days -- an increase of 10% over the same period last year -- as commercials jumped by 50% to 194 days, according to figures provided Tuesday by the FilmL.A. permitting agency. A Fiat spot was the leader with six days. Los Angeles-area production in the commercials category increased 4.4% to 7,079 days last year, setting a yearly high by topping the 2005 record by 96 days. The top commercial shoot last year was a Nissan spot, shot by Wanted Man Films, with 50 days. TV shooting gained 5% to 351 days last week as the sitcom "Best Friends Forever" was the most active with 13 days. "CSI: NY," "Awake," "Southland," Raising Hope" and "Suburgatory" were also shooting last week. Features fell 20% to 94 days as "Black Forest" took the top slot with 20 days. "Lovelace," "Burt Wonderstone" and re-shoots of "Rock of Ages" also shot last week. Top L.A. shoots Commercial projects with the most permitted production days in 2011 Brand (Prod. co.)Permitted prod. daysNissan (Wanted Man)50Bank of America (Anonymous Content)44Buick (Tool of North America)43NACSA (Anonymous Content)35Fiat (Anonymous Content)31 Source: FilmL.A. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com