Regional film production dipped to its lowest level in 15 years by the end of 2008, with blame laid not on the economy or labor uncertainty but on the loss of projects to other locations.

FilmLA, which provides film-permit services on location shoots, offered that assessment in issuing yearly data for locations shoots. In contrast to the dreary film stats, Los Angeles area television production marked quarterly and annual increases.

Film production dropped 8.1 percent in the fourth quarter — hitting the lowest level since the group began tracking such activity in 1993 — and slid 1.7 percent on the year. TV production climbed 14.4 percent in the quarter and 8.4 percent over 12 months, with the reality segment up 19 percent and dramas 6.9 percent but sitcoms and pilots off 25.3 percent and 40.8 percent , respectively.

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