Newsom and the legislature are doubling the tax dollars to be given to the billionaires of Hollywood to film movies and shows few want to see.
“According to nonprofit FilmLA, which helps production companies book filming spaces and obtain permits, the occupancy rate of soundstages across the L.A. area was at 63% in 2024 — a dramatic drop off from 90% in 2022 and the mid 90s from pre-pandemic times.
The 63% rate also represents a 6% drop from 2023, marking a steady decline in L.A. area film production.
Episodic television series accounted for just 20% of filming in 2024, a drop from the usual 30%. FilmLA said series are particularly desirable to the area due to their sustainable job creation over several years, rather than the relatively short production schedule of a feature-length film.”
Almost every day we see stories about more actors and filming moving out of California. Yet, the Democrats continue to give money to their donors in the Hollywood community. Sick.
Los Angeles film industry struggles as soundstage occupancy plummets: study
by: Austin Turner, KTLA, 4/4/25 https://ktla.com/news/local-news/los-angeles-film-industry-struggles-as-soundstage-occupancy-plummets-study/
Los Angeles has long been the “Entertainment Capital of the World” as the film and television stars congregate to the area to film the next big thing — but a new study shows that the region’s claim to that title could be in jeopardy.
According to nonprofit FilmLA, which helps production companies book filming spaces and obtain permits, the occupancy rate of soundstages across the L.A. area was at 63% in 2024 — a dramatic drop off from 90% in 2022 and the mid 90s from pre-pandemic times.
The 63% rate also represents a 6% drop from 2023, marking a steady decline in L.A. area film production.
Episodic television series accounted for just 20% of filming in 2024, a drop from the usual 30%. FilmLA said series are particularly desirable to the area due to their sustainable job creation over several years, rather than the relatively short production schedule of a feature-length film.
The most troubling part, however, is that while L.A. production declines, other markets have increased.
According to FilmLA, the United Kingdom, New York, Georgia and Ontario, Canada have each doubled their stage-based production capacity in the last five years while nearly four-out-of-10 stages in L.A. go unused.
“The jurisdictions that perform well from here on out – the ones with sustainably high levels of sound stage occupancy and job creation – will be those invested in film project attraction at the country, state and regional level,” FilmLA spokesperson Philip Sokoloski said.
In an attempt to regain some of the lost productions in the Southland, California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a plan to expand a tax credit program last fall. Under the new program, tax credits for film and TV productions in the state would increase from $330 million to $750 million.
If approved, the expansion could start as soon as June. Programs like that, already used in places like Georgia that have no cap on the tax credit, could help bring productions back to Southern California, FilmLA says.
“We’re supportive of state leaders’ interest in expanding California’s film incentive program, and we’re engaged in ongoing conversation with City and County partners about ways to improve the local filming environment,” Sokoloski said.
The film industry is a business just like any other business. They either make a profit and stay in business or they close shop. Tax dollars should not be used to support the industry.
Justine Bateman was right in saying Los Angeles should elect a mayor that, even though he/she may not be a part of it, at least has an UNDERSTANDING of The Big Orange’s most prominent export; Hollywood. Otherwise, the film, TV and music industries are toast.