Ben Affleck Highlights Hollywood's Decline Amid Production Migration

Ben Affleck and other industry insiders have highlighted a major shift in film and television production away from Hollywood, citing more attractive tax incentives offered by other states and countries as a primary cause. Affleck criticized California for taking the industry for granted and noted that even recent increases in state tax credits are not enough to compete with the benefits found in places like the UK, Georgia, New Mexico, and other regions. These incentives have prompted productions—and the skilled crews that support them—to migrate elsewhere, further weakening Hollywood's traditional dominance. Actor Rob Lowe echoed these concerns, stating it is often cheaper to film abroad than in Los Angeles. The result has been a significant decline in production activity and industry jobs in California, with international studios experiencing growth as a result. The situation underscores the need for California to reevaluate its strategies if it hopes to retain and attract major film and TV projects.