LOS ANGELES, Sept. 7, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners and the staff of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) today declared September 2004 as "Los Angeles World Airports Film Friendly Awareness Month," noting that on-going film production at the City's airports creates good jobs and economic benefits for the entire region.
NBC uses LAWA airports extensively to film scenes for its new drama television series, "LAX," created by Executive Producer Nick Thiel, and starring Heather Locklear and Blair Underwood as deputy airport managers. Board President Cheryl K. Petersen and LAWA Interim Executive Director Kim Day presented the proclamation to Thiel at its regularly scheduled board meeting. The proclamation extended best wishes to the cast and crew of "LAX" for long-term success.
The LAWA proclamation noted the film industry is vital to the economy of the Los Angeles region, providing jobs for more that 235,000 people and contributing $32 billion to the local economy. The presence and prosperity of the film industry is of such importance to the city that Mayor Jim Hahn issued an executive order to create a liaison in every City department to facilitate film production on City properties.
In the wake of 9/11, Mayor Hahn directed LAWA to work with federal and local aviation security officials to develop a policy that balances increased airport security measures and the need of the film industry to access the LAWA airports for their productions of television programs, motion pictures and commercials.
LAWA airports have recorded more than 1,400 filming days since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, without compromising security or inconveniencing travelers. LAWA has a dedicated Film Desk staff that accommodates production companies by facilitating access to LAWA's facilities at LAX, Ontario International, Van Nuys and Palmdale Regional airports.
"Los Angeles International Airport is the most filmed airport in the world," the proclamation noted.
The television program LAX has its own website at www.nbc.com/nbc/LAX/ and LAWA's website is www.lawa.org.