Los Angeles Filming Drops 22% in Q1 2025 Amid Global Competition

Filming on location in Greater Los Angeles saw a significant decline of 22.4% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to FilmLA. The drop was attributed to global production cutbacks and California's ongoing loss of work to competing regions, with television production down 30.5% and feature film production falling 28.9%. Despite the impact of wildfires in the Altadena and Pacific Palisades areas, which only accounted for a small portion of total filming, the broader trend reflects challenges faced by the industry, including competition and economic pressures. Labor unions and industry stakeholders are urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to enhance tax incentives to make the state more competitive. The decline is particularly concerning for television, which peaked in 2021 but has since seen a 58.4% drop in shoot days. The overall decrease highlights the urgent need for strategic measures to revitalize California's film production landscape.