Los Angeles continues to see a decline in production as new data from FilmLA reveals a 6.2% drop in shoot days during the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
The total number of shoot days reached 5,394, down from 5,749 in 2024, reflecting ongoing challenges for the city’s film and television industry.
Despite this slowdown, the report highlights a slight uptick in production activities when compared to the first quarter of the year, particularly a significant 17% increase in television production.
The film and television sector has faced substantial setbacks over the past few years due to multiple factors, starting with the Covid-19 pandemic, which halted productions and led to cancellations and delays across the industry.
In 2023, the Screen Actors Guild-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America strikes further exacerbated the situation, causing a second wave of shutdowns.
Adding to the dire circumstances, the city grappled with devastating Pacific Palisades and Eaton Fires earlier this year, affecting not just filming locations but also displacing cast and crew members from their homes.
Overall, production levels stand approximately 32% below the five-year average, signaling a pressing need for recovery efforts.
FilmLA President Paul Audley expressed a cautiously optimistic view, stating that although challenges remain, there is a mission to make production in the area more affordable and accessible.
Audley emphasized the importance of expanding the state’s tax credit program, which has been a focal point of discussions since last October.
Recent measures have been introduced at both county and state levels aiming to revive the industry, such as a unanimous vote from the County Board of Supervisors in mid-July to simplify local filming processes.
California legislation also passed a significant expansion of tax incentives for film and television production, aiming to re-establish Los Angeles as a prime filming destination.
Audley affirmed that these initiatives represent a positive step forward for the industry, stating, “It’s a great time for the city, the county, and the state to really focus on this industry that has really struggled.”
Production has relocated to other states and countries in recent years, driven largely by competitive financial incentives coupled with rising costs in California.
Audley noted, “We’ve been competing with 120 other jurisdictions around the country and in the world that are offering money to take the business away.”
The new motion to reduce bureaucratic obstacles for filmmakers, introduced by County Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Lindsey Horvath, is a part of the measures aimed at reviving local production.
This newly approved motion includes several provisions, such as a review of the permitting process and a proposed one-year moratorium on fees charged by the county.
Additionally, the board is looking into the possibility of new production facilities and priming the Evergreen Fund, a public-private initiative designed to support film tech start-ups, with a projected budget of $80 to $100 million.
In May, Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order intended to enhance the ease of film production in the city by reducing fees for iconic filming locations such as the Griffith Observatory and the Port of Los Angeles.
The mayor urged for a reduction in the number of city staff required on-set during filming, stating, “The city is taking bold action to support our legacy industry.”
Further, legislation signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in June doubled the film and television tax incentive to $750 million, significantly increasing California’s competitiveness.
The new legislation, known as AB1138, not only raised the credit for individual projects from 20% to 35% but also increased the per-project cap and tripled funding for independent films.
Governor Newsom reiterated, “California is where filmed entertainment was born, and with this expansion, we’re making sure it stays here.”
By providing incentives for 48 upcoming film projects, these efforts are projected to generate around $664 million in economic activity and create over 6,500 jobs within the state.
Colleen Bell, director of the California Film Commission, emphasized the industry’s significance to California’s creative economy, stating the importance of keeping production at home.
Responses from the film industry workers to recent county measures have been overwhelmingly positive, recognizing the economic impact of local production.
One industry participant remarked, “The film industry is so important to the economic health of all of L.A. County. When production stays in L.A., the entire city benefits.”
As Los Angeles grapples with these challenges, the collaborative efforts from local and state officials reflect a broader commitment to revitalizing the film industry and maintaining its critical role in the region’s economy.
image source from：labusinessjournal
