Zoo Commission Urged to Reconsider Filming Fee

The Zoo Commission should reconsider a proposal to charge a fee for commercial use of the facility, according to Mayor Richard Riordan.

The Entertainment Industry Development Corp. expressed concern that the proposed $5,000 fee is excessive and might discourage the movie industry from filming at the Los Angeles Zoo.

Zoo commissioners had on March 10 requested that the mayor’s office approve the fee.

When it was part of the Parks and Recreation Department, the zoo charged only for off-duty staff members who worked on or helped coordinate films. The money was paid directly to the employees. Instead of charging fees, the Los Angeles Zoo accepted donations from film companies, receiving $1,000 in 1997-98 and $4,500 in 1998-99.

The zoo became a separate city department in 1995.

Now the commission wants to set fees and market the zoo as a filming location, offering long vistas, waterfalls, scenic foliage and exotic animals. The proposal will be considered Thursday.

The number of commercial films made at the Los Angeles Zoo varies annually, depending on the demand of the industry, from 15 to 60.

The San Diego Zoo reportedly no longer permits any commercial filming. New York’s Bronx Zoo charges $10,000 a day.