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Los Angeles Film and TV Production Drops 22% in Early 2025

A new report highlights sharp declines across all major production categories as California pushes for expanded tax incentives to counter global cutbacks and out-of-state competition.

Actor and Secretary-Treasurer of SAG-AFTRA, Joely Fisher, speaks at a "Stay in LA" rally in Sun Valley, California. U.S., April 6, 2025. REUTERS/Lisa Richwine
Production accountant Will Morris holds a sign at a "Stay in LA" rally in Sun Valley, California, U.S., April 6, 2025. REUTERS/Lisa Richwine
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The iconic Hollywood sign is shown behind a person sitting in the shade along Hollywood Blvd as the city prepares to host the 97th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 25, 2025. REUTERS/MIKE BLAKE

Overview

  • FilmLA's latest data reveals a 22.4% decrease in on-location shoot days in Los Angeles during Q1 2025, totaling 5,295 compared to 6,823 in the same period last year.
  • Television production suffered the steepest decline, falling 30.5%, with TV dramas down 38.9% and pilots dropping by 80.3% to record-low levels.
  • Feature film production also fell significantly, declining 28.9% to just 451 shoot days, while commercials saw a smaller drop of 2.1%.
  • Despite wildfires in Altadena and Pacific Palisades displacing workers and disrupting some shoots, their overall impact was minimal, accounting for only 1.3% of regional filming activity.
  • State lawmakers and industry leaders are advocating for an expansion of California's Film & Television Tax Credit Program to make the state more competitive and stem the migration of productions to rival regions.