The movie premiere capital of the world is known for producing
glamorous parades and festivals for Hollywood’s A-list movie
stars, but often at the cost of Westwood Village’s small
businesses keeping the town alive on a day-to-day basis.
Local merchants have continued to express frustration with the
closing of Westwood streets due to film shootings and promotions,
which cause traffic jams and nearly eliminate nominal parking
available in the Village.
A private organization formed to ease the effect of filming
movies and photo shoots and to play an active role in arbitrating
disputes, The Entertainment Industry Development Corporation, is
responsible for keeping residents happy who live in areas affected
by film interference.
The EIDC’s impact on Westwood is unparallel to other areas
because movie functions in the Village occur in a relatively
smaller space than they do in other locations.
The EIDC’s contract expires June 30 and before it is
renewed, changes may need to be made.
Over the past year, the EIDC has been audited for questionable
expenses and political contributions, one which resulted in a
criminal investigation by the L.A. District Attorney.
According to an affidavit released by the lead investigator on
the case, former EIDC president Cody Cluff made a cash donation
with EIDC funds to the Pittsburgh Film Board, run by his longtime
girlfriend Dawn Keezer.
A hearing was held at City Hall last month to determine whether
“enhanced public oversight” is needed for the EIDC,
which currently maintains full authority in regard to street
closures for entertainment-related activities.
Cluff had a $200,000 annual salary in addition to a $500,000
expense account, which also raised several questions.
Bruce Doering, a representative for the International
Cinematographers Guild, said the EIDC is not serving its role in
resolving disputes as well as it needs to in order to survive.
Though the corporation has made it easier for the entertainment
industry to film and hold events on public streets, Doering
believes it needs to improve its communication with local
governments and area residents.
Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski issued a motion to postpone the
hearing decision until sometime this month.
In the meantime, local businesses are suffering with every
street closure. The businesses located next to movie theatres which
hold street events are usually compensated, but shops on adjacent
streets are not, even though their revenue also takes tremendous
hits on these days.
Campus Shoe Repair is one business that is adversely affected by
the entertainment events and receives no compensation. During
premiere nights and other festivities, few customers come to the
store.
“Just because we are not next to the movie theatres
doesn’t mean we are not getting hurt,” said owner Vick
Bamokian. “Seventy-five percent of our customers drive in
from around Westwood, and once they see the traffic and the lack of
parking, they don’t come.”
Sometimes the EIDC schedules two events on the same day, like a
commercial shooting early in the day and a movie premiere later
that same night.
“I might as well not even open up shop on those
days,” Bamokian said.
“If the people at the EIDC couldn’t work six days a
month and couldn’t get paid for it, they would be pretty
upset,” said Phil Gabriel, owner of Scrubs Unlimited.
“We are not trying to say no more filming and no more
premieres, we just want to see more common sense.”
Two streets in Westwood are already closed every Thursday for
the Farmers Market. In addition, there are uncontrollable events
such as protests and political events which usually begin at the
Federal Building on Wilshire Boulevard and continue through the
Village.
One event which especially put Westwood merchants up in arms was
the closing of Broxton Avenue for the May 4 premiere of
“Daddy Day Care.” The entire street and sidewalks were
closed ““ in essence closing all business on that street.
“I probably lost about 40 percent of my business, but they
did compensate us. I wasn’t happy with it, but I took
it,” Gabriel said.
Perhaps more brutal to Westwood businesses was restricted access
to the Broxton Avenue parking lot, the Village’s only public
parking area and one of only two local lots which accept
validations. Though the structure was accessible to the public, the
street closure made it appear otherwise.
Westwood merchants are not calling for an end to Village movie
premieres, but they do want to see the EIDC relinquish some of its
authority for the better overall good of the Village.
“Small businesses produce a lot of money for the city of
Los Angeles,” Gabriel said. “The film industry is very
important, but do you sacrifice small businesses just for the sake
of one industry?”