In Ruins or Revival-Ready? Los Angeles's Struggling Film & Production Industry
/The production industry in Los Angeles has long been a cornerstone of global entertainment, standing as a central hub for film and television creation with deep-rooted historical significance. However, recent challenges are increasingly exposing vulnerabilities within the system. Rising costs, complex regulatory frameworks, and fierce competition have placed significant and growing strain on those seeking to use LA as their primary filming hub. In response to these mounting pressures, many industry players are turning their gaze toward alternative shooting areas, which promise a more sustainable and economically viable path forward for film and television production endeavors.
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The Numbers Tell the Story
Recent data paints a stark picture: on-location filming in Los Angeles plummeted by 22% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year. Television production days dropped by a staggering 30.5%, and feature film shoots fell nearly 29%. This isn’t an isolated dip—since the industry’s post-pandemic peak in 2021, television production alone has contracted by 58%. The ripple effects are everywhere: craftspeople are out of work, support businesses are shuttering, and even historic studio lots face uncertain futures.
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Why Is Location Shooting Declining?
Several forces are converging to create this perfect storm:
Economic Competition: Other states and countries are luring productions away with generous tax incentives and lower costs, making it harder for LA to compete.
Union and Labor Pressures: Traditional union arrangements, while vital for worker protections, are often financially unfeasible for today’s rapid, high-volume content demands. Attempts at non-union shoots can be met with costly disruptions.
Bureaucratic Hurdles: Navigating LA’s maze of permits, noise ordinances, and location restrictions can slow productions to a crawl, driving filmmakers elsewhere.
Recent Disasters and Strikes: The devastating fires of early 2025, ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the aftershocks of labor strikes have all compounded the crisis.
Changing Media Landscape: The rise of streaming, social media, and new consumption habits has fragmented the industry, making traditional big-budget location shoots riskier and less frequent.
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Is There Hope on the Horizon?
City leaders are taking action. In May, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass signed an executive directive to make it easier and cheaper for productions to film on location. The initiative aims to streamline permits, lower costs, and open up access to legendary sites like Griffith Observatory and the Central Library. At the state level, proposals are underway to expand California’s film tax credit from $330 million to $750 million—a bold move to claw back lost productions and jobs.
Industry veterans are cautiously optimistic. These steps, while modest, could help smooth the logistical and financial roadblocks that have driven filmmakers away.
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Why Real Locations Still Matter
As the industry stands at a crossroads, it’s vital to remember why shooting at real locations is irreplaceable:
Authenticity: Nothing matches the texture, light, and energy of a real LA street or landmark. Audiences can feel the difference.
Economic Impact: On-location shoots support thousands of local jobs, from caterers to carpenters, and pump money into neighborhoods across the city.
Cultural Legacy: LA’s unique character has shaped the world’s cinematic imagination. Losing location shoots means losing the city’s starring role in its own stories.
Community Pride: When films and shows shoot on location, they showcase LA’s diversity and vibrancy, inspiring pride and tourism.
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