Los Angeles Filming Levels Down Amid State Recovery Effort

Key Points:

• Despite the expansion of California’s film and TV tax credit program, Los Angeles experienced a nearly 13% decline in shoot days from April to June compared to last year, with production still 36% below the five-year average.
• So far, 170 projects have received tax credits, accounting for 33% of feature production shoot days, including several independent films, but overall feature production dropped nearly 20% year-over-year.
• TV production shoot days increased by 34% over the previous quarter, driven by scripted shows eligible for subsidies, though reality TV (not eligible for credits) declined, resulting in a 28% overall drop compared to last year.
• L.A. Mayor Karen Bass is advocating for an uncapped tax credit and expanded eligibility to include competition reality TV and above-the-line costs, alongside efforts to reduce permit fees and bureaucracy to boost local production.
• Commercial shooting continues to decline, with a 22% year-over-year decrease, highlighting ongoing challenges in that segment of the industry.