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.
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.
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.