LA Film and TV Production Takes a Dive: What It Means for the Entertainment Industry

Filming in Los Angeles is facing tough times as production levels drop amid fierce competition from other regions. A recent report from FilmLA, a nonprofit that issues film permits in the area, shows that between January and March, shoot days fell by over 22%, totaling just 5,295 days. This decline marks the lowest production rate since tracking began in 2017, excluding the pandemic year in 2020.

Despite the expectation that the industry would bounce back after the strikes last year, Los Angeles is still not seeing a resurgence in filming. This downturn is partly due to studios reducing content budgets, adding to the challenge.

The situation is particularly concerning for TV productions, which have long been a staple in L.A. Filming for TV shows has dropped by around 30% compared to last year, and nearly 50% from the five-year average. The last quarter saw just 13 TV pilots filmed, the least on record for FilmLA. Furthermore, comedy shows also took a hit, with about 110 shoot days recorded, marking a near 30% decrease. Many of these short-format series don’t qualify for California’s tax credit program, which further complicates the landscape.

In response, California lawmakers are considering changes to the subsidy program to attract more productions. If approved, TV shows with two or more episodes lasting at least 20 minutes could qualify for subsidies. Other productions that might benefit include animated films and structured competition shows, provided they meet a budget threshold of $1 million.

This decline in TV production threatens the livelihoods of many industry workers, with around 7,700 shoot days last year—a sharp drop of over 58% from the peak in 2021. Feature films aren’t doing much better, with only 451 shoot days in the region during the first quarter of 2024, reflecting a 29% decrease from the previous year.

Additionally, FilmLA’s report indicates that occupancy rates for soundstages have fallen to 63%, down from 69% the previous year. Wildfires in areas like the Pacific Palisades and Altadena have affected some filming locations, but their overall impact appears minimal, accounting for just 1.3% of filming in the region.

"The wildfires disrupted plans and displaced workers, but the effect on filming levels seems to be short-lived," said Philip Sokoloski, FilmLA’s vice president of communications.

The data paints a challenging picture for the film industry in Los Angeles. As the competition grows and production budgets tighten, the city must adapt to maintain its status as a leading entertainment hub. To learn more about the trends affecting film and television production, you can visit FilmLA’s latest reports.

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Film and TV Tax Credits