News Summary
California’s film and television industry is reeling from significant job losses, with about 40,000 positions disappearing in 2023 due to strikes. Production has plummeted, with Los Angeles experiencing a 58% decrease in shooting days since 2021. Governor Newsom has proposed increasing tax credits to support the industry, but experts doubt the effectiveness of these measures against competing states’ incentives. With many industry professionals struggling to find work, the future of California’s entertainment landscape remains uncertain as efforts to revitalize it grow.
California is experiencing a significant downturn in its film and television industry, with approximately 40,000 jobs lost in 2023 due to strikes by writers and actors. This decline has prompted calls for increased tax incentives to support the industry and combat the continuing job losses.
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that television production in the greater Los Angeles area has plummeted by 58% since its peak in 2021. The number of shooting days for television production has decreased dramatically, falling from 18,560 in 2021 to 7,716 in 2024. Furthermore, a recent report highlights a 22.4% decline in on-location production in Los Angeles for the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period the previous year.
In light of the ongoing crisis, California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed an increase in the state’s annual film and TV tax credits from $330 million to $750 million. However, industry experts express skepticism regarding the state’s ability to provide enough incentives to compete with other jurisdictions offering tax advantages as high as 40% for productions.
Freelance workers in the industry, such as Phil Mangano, a film and television editor, have been severely affected. Before the strikes, Mangano had consistent work, but now he has had to apply for jobs outside of the industry due to financial concerns. Other workers, like Heather Fink, a sound utility worker, have also faced similar struggles. While Fink recently secured employment with a show, many crew members are exploring different career paths or taking on side gigs to navigate the ongoing instability in the entertainment sector.
The Otis College report underscores the ongoing challenges facing California’s entertainment industry, indicating that jobs in the sector in 2024 remain 25% below the pre-pandemic peak of 2022. Additionally, shooting days in Los Angeles County have dropped 42% compared to 2022 levels. Although the industry added nearly 15,000 jobs last year, this was insufficient to recover from the job losses incurred during the strikes.
The decline in production within California has been attributed to various factors, including the attractive tax incentives offered by other states and countries, resulting in productions relocating to those areas. This trend has highlighted the vulnerability of California’s film and television workforce, as many find themselves without jobs or struggling with mental health challenges during these trying times.
Despite some workers securing temporary employment, many still experience ongoing financial uncertainties and joblessness. As the industry seems to be settling into a “new normal” with lower levels of production compared to pre-strike periods, local initiatives like “Stay in L.A.” have emerged, aiming to encourage emergency measures to promote on-site production and restore local filming in Los Angeles.
As the situation evolves, the community within the film and television industry in California continues to adapt to the changing landscape. The ongoing discourse surrounding tax incentives and potential measures to stimulate the local economy emphasizes the critical need for recovery and revitalization in a once-booming industry now grappling with unprecedented challenges.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- NBC Los Angeles: Hollywood Film & TV Production Jobs
- Spectrum News 1: Hollywood Jobs Stay in LA
- New York Times: Hollywood Jobs Lost to Strikes
- ABC7: Proposal to Reduce Film Production Fees
- Business Insider: Hollywood Leaving Los Angeles?
- Wikipedia: Film Industry in the United States
- Google Search: California Film Industry Jobs
- Google Scholar: Hollywood Film Production Jobs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Film
- Google News: California Film Industry Decline
