Film production in the city of Los Angeles dropped to its lowest level in 15 years by the end of 2008, according to FilmL.A., the group that coordinates on-location film schools.

The reason for the drop is not on the stagnant economy or labor uncertainty but on the loss of projects to other locations. Filmmakers have flocked to other countries, as well as other states such as Michigan, New York and New Mexico that offer tax incentives and rebates that aren't available in California.

We should stop talking about runaway production. It's ran-away production. California is not competitive in the marketplace. We must create an environment that brings back high-dollar film productions, the thousands of jobs they generate and the revenues they pump into our local economy, FilmL.A. President Paul Audley said in a statement.

TV production in LA overall gained 8 percent for the year, primarily due to a continued surge in reality TV that helped offset big declines in sitcoms and pilots that were severely affected by last year's writers strike.

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