Leno describes production leaving Los Angeles and the economics of filming

Jay Leno said the Hot Wheels show for Mattel was filmed in his garage for two or three years. He provided the space, and the company made a donation to charity. According to Leno, the production found it cheaper to send 175 people to Ireland for two months, pay their accommodation and per diems, than to continue filming the show in his garage for three years.

Leno also described local incentives for filming in Los Angeles as a complicated system in which, he said, the amounts can vary from one street to another; he cited examples of $5,000 and $7,500. He said production is gradually moving to Atlanta and other places. This is Leno’s account of a specific production and his explanation of the economics, not an independent assessment of tax-incentive programs.