The “Baywatch” reboot is officially back on the sand, but the drama behind the scenes has been moving faster than a slow-motion run down the beach. After weeks of social media whispers that the production was drowning in bureaucracy, Los Angeles’ newly appointed “film czar,” Steve Kang, is setting the record straight on how the city is fighting to keep Hollywood in Hollywood.
Appointed by Mayor Karen Bass to tackle the city’s deepening production crisis, Kang has become the industry’s ultimate “concierge.” With the entertainment world watching closely, his first big mission involved rescuing everyone’s favorite lifeguard drama from a sea of permits and red tape.
The Baywatch Agita
When news broke that the “Baywatch” reboot might struggle to film in its iconic Venice Beach home, the internet was quick to react. Rumors swirled on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok that the show might be forced to head to Australia due to local friction.
“There was a lot of misinformation,” Kang told The Hollywood Reporter, addressing the online buzz. “The producers were originally going to shoot in Australia but ultimately decided to come back home to Los Angeles. So, on my end, I wanted to roll out the red carpet.”
The production hit a snag when it came to erecting a temporary lifeguard structure. Issues with the Building and Safety Department and jurisdictional “gray areas” threatened to stall the shoot. Kang stepped in to provide an “expedited review” and even helped secure a percent discount for the production at a city-owned lot in Venice.
Cutting Through the Red Tape
For years, the industry has begged for a high-level liaison who can navigate the “complex intricacies” of the city. Kang’s role is designed to be exactly that—a one-stop shop for directors and producers who are “burning budget by the minute.”
“I can pick up the phone and even call the Mayor if I need to resolve an issue,” Kang noted. This level of “white-glove service” is a major shift for a city that has often been criticized for being too difficult to film in.
It is not just about big beach sets, either. Kang revealed that he recently had to jump into action when the Department of Transportation started installing concrete barriers in the historic core of downtown L.A.—a spot frequently used as a body double for New York or Chicago. Within hours, Kang coordinated a plan where the barriers would be removed for filming and reinstalled later at no cost to the production.
Balancing the Glitz and the Neighborhood
While fans love seeing their favorite stars on the street, not everyone in L.A. is a fan of the “paparazzi and trailers” lifestyle. Kang admitted that managing resident expectations is a huge part of the job, especially in high-profile areas like the Hollywood Sign.
“The residents that live below it, on the narrow streets, do not like to be overrun by crews,” he explained. Managing those relationships requires a “beautiful plan” involving park rangers, traffic officers, and homeowners’ associations to keep the peace while the cameras roll.
A New Era for L.A. Production
In a move that Kang himself finds surprisingly overdue, the city and county departments are finally “locking arms.” Starting this May, quarterly joint meetings will take place to ensure that different jurisdictions aren’t working against each other.
The goal is simple: provide a “hotline” for executive decisions. As production costs rise and other states offer massive tax breaks, L.A. is betting on Steve Kang and this new streamlined approach to prove that there is no place like home for movie magic.
With “Baywatch” currently filming back at Venice Beach, it seems the red carpet is staying put—for now.
