Filming activity in Los Angeles experienced a significant decline in the first quarter of 2025, with overall production dropping by 22.4% compared to the same period in 2024. Data released by FilmLA, the organization responsible for issuing film permits in the region, highlights ongoing challenges the entertainment industry is facing both locally and globally. The decline was most notable in television and feature film production, which saw decreases of 30.5% and 28.9% respectively. The number of total shoot days between January and March was reported at 5,295, signaling a sharp contraction in output from the traditional heart of Hollywood.
According to FilmLA, these reductions reflect broader trends in global production slowdowns and California’s struggle to retain projects in the face of growing competition from other U.S. states and international markets. While some regions are offering more attractive financial incentives to lure filmmakers, California has seen a steady outflow of productions to places with more favorable tax conditions and lower overall costs. In response, industry professionals—including labor unions, producers, and actors—have intensified their efforts to urge California Governor Gavin Newsom to expand the state’s tax incentive programs. They argue that bolstering these incentives is essential to keeping Los Angeles competitive and preserving local jobs across all segments of the entertainment industry.
Despite the significant overall downturn, production of commercials remained relatively stable, showing only minor fluctuations. Commercial shoots continue to play a steady role in the local production ecosystem, even as large-scale film and television projects move elsewhere.
Other recent challenges have compounded the issue, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, labor strikes involving both actors and writers, and significant changes brought by the rise of streaming services. These disruptions have reshaped content creation timelines and distribution models, further complicating recovery efforts for traditional production hubs like Los Angeles.
Although the wildfires that impacted Altadena and Pacific Palisades in January generated concern, FilmLA clarified that their effect on production was minimal. Those areas accounted for just 1.3% of all filming activity over the past four years, limiting the fires’ influence on broader statistics.
The figures paint a picture of an evolving industry in transition, where economic pressures and strategic policy decisions will play a critical role in determining Los Angeles’ future as a global filming capital.
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