Los Angeles Film Industry Hits 30-Year Low Amid Rising Competition and Challenges
The Hollywood film and television industry, long synonymous with Los Angeles, is facing an unprecedented decline. According to a recent report by the nonprofit organization filmla Inc., the volume of production in Los Angeles dropped by 5.6% in 2024 compared to the previous year.This marks the lowest number of filming days recorded in the city in 30 years,excluding the near-total shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
In 2024, Los Angeles recorded just 23,480 shoot days, a stark contrast to its historical highs. “Filming days” refers to the total number of days spent on all film and television productions in a year. Philip Sokoloski, a spokesman for FilmLA, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “Now more than ever, we need Californians to invest in this industry to show the importance of this creative industry and to work with elected leaders to meet challenges from out-of-state competitors.”
The decline is attributed to several factors, including producers increasingly bypassing Los Angeles for cheaper locations and a reduction in overall content production. Southern cities like Atlanta, Georgia, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Austin, Texas, have emerged as major competitors. Lamont Pete, a Netflix show producer, explained, “Any place with cheap rent and few unions has an advantage. Reality TV is like the fast food of the movie industry.It’s cheap, easy, and no one cares whether it’s good or not.And Los Angeles, because of the high cost, also loses this market.”
Reality TV production in Los Angeles has been hit particularly hard, with shooting days plummeting by nearly 46% compared to 2023. Though, there is a silver lining: feature film production grew by 18.8% year-on-year, driven largely by the rise of autonomous films. Despite this growth, the category remains 27.6% below the five-year average.
Independent producer and actor scott Hamm Duenas highlighted the appeal of independent productions: “Nowadays, studios no longer have any breakthrough works that can make people want to go to the theatre and watch it five times.”
In an effort to revive the industry, the California government increased its film and television tax credit from $330 million to $750 million annually in October 2024. However, half-hour series, non-diegetic series, and commercials are excluded from these incentives. Sokoloski noted, “These supports are available elsewhere. If we want to be more competitive, we need to study and address this difference. If the budget is reasonable, filmmakers will indeed be interested in choosing to shoot in Los Angeles.”
The industry also faces challenges from recent wildfires, which have devastated parts of los Angeles since January 7, 2024, killing 25 people and destroying thousands of homes. While filming in unaffected areas remains legal and feasible, the number of new filming permit applications has dropped to just 20% of normal levels.Sokoloski emphasized, “Wildfires are not the main reason we lose production projects; we have to focus on other competitive factors.”
The table below summarizes key trends in Los Angeles film and television production in 2024:
| Category | Change in 2024 |
|————————–|————————–|
| Total Filming Days | -5.6% (23,480 days) |
| Feature Film Production | +18.8% |
| Reality TV Production | -46% |
| Independent Films | -27.6% (5-year average) |
As Los Angeles grapples with these challenges, the future of its iconic film industry hangs in the balance. Will increased incentives and a focus on independent productions be enough to restore its status as the global hub of entertainment? Onyl time will tell.
