Why Does CSI: Miami film in Los Angeles?

Many television series and movies are filmed in Los Angeles, even though the story line is set elsewhere. There are several reasons for this, according to a Representative from the Screen Actors Guild, the largest performers union in the country. “While there certainly is a great deal of talent in Florida, and several productions are filmed there, ultimately, it’s up to the director and producer where the filming will take place,” said Ilyanne Morden Kichaven, National Communications Director for SAG. “But usually,” she explained, “There are budgetary and creative considerations involved.” The bargaining agreement for SAG members contains provisions for travel, housing, and certain needs of the performers, which must be taken into consideration when selecting a production location. For recurring productions like a television series, the cost to transport performers to a remote location on a regular basis often becomes too expensive to justify, especially when the location can be recreated locally in Los Angeles. Because there are so many palm trees in Los Angeles, as well as the beaches of the Pacific Coast, the look of Miami can be duplicated on screen. Kichaven said, the performers are taken into consideration. Availability is a big issue, if production schedules need to change. Additionally, performers want the opportunity to audition for other performances, as well as be close to home to spend time with their families. -