Los Angeles' Film Scene Facing Tough Times

The film and TV industry in Los Angeles is currently experiencing a downturn. This is due to a mix of global production challenges and increased competition from other regions. The first three months of the year saw a notable drop in production across all categories compared to the same period last year. The entertainment world was hoping for a swift recovery after the strikes. However, filming in Los Angeles has not bounced back as expected. Last year, the region saw its lowest production levels since tracking began in 2017, excluding the pandemic year of 2020. This decline has led California lawmakers to propose expanding the state's subsidy program for productions that film within California. The most concerning trend is the significant decrease in TV show filming. TV production has long been a cornerstone of Los Angeles' film industry. However, filming for TV shows has dropped by about 30% compared to the same period last year and nearly 50% compared to the five-year average. Only 13 TV pilots were shot in Los Angeles last quarter, the lowest number ever recorded. The decline in TV filming has serious implications for industry workers. Last year, there were roughly 7, 700 shoot days for TV shows, a significant decrease from the 2021 peak. This decline highlights the challenges facing the local production economy. Feature film shooting in the region also saw a decrease, with just 451 shoot days. This represents a roughly 29% decrease compared to the first quarter of 2024. A recent report highlighted a steep decline in soundstage occupancy over the past two years, further emphasizing the drop in filming activity. In an effort to stay competitive, California lawmakers are considering changes to the state's tax credit program. The proposed revisions aim to broaden the types of productions that can receive subsidies. This includes TV shows with episodes of at least 20 minutes, sitcoms, animated films, and large-scale competition shows. However, reality, documentary, game, and talk shows would not be eligible. The recent wildfires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena had a minimal impact on production. These areas accounted for roughly 1, 400 shoot days over the past four years, which is a small fraction of the total regional filming. While the fires caused some disruptions, their impact on local filming levels appears to have been temporary.