LA soundstages sit empty
Los Angeles soundstages remain roughly one‑third empty amid an ongoing production slump, undercutting studio space demand and local day‑rate opportunities for crews. The vacancy highlights capacity on the supply side even as certain high‑profile event and branded projects chase premium slots. (x.com)
FilmLA released its Eighth Annual Sound Stage Production Report on March 18, 2026, updating stage and shoot-day data for Greater Los Angeles. (filmla.com) Los Angeles County now lists roughly 8.3 million square feet of total stage space (certified and uncertified), while the 17 studios participating in the FilmLA study account for about 6.9 million square feet of certified stages. (filmla.com) Two new facilities came online earlier this year: East End Studios’ five-stage Mission Campus opened in Boyle Heights in January 2026 and Cinespace announced a six-stage Woodland Hills campus in March 2026. (variety.com, therealdeal.com) FilmLA’s data show total shoot days on participant stages declined 8% between 2023 and 2024, and separate reporting documents a 16.1% drop in on-location filming in Los Angeles in 2025. (cined.com, deadline.com) The FilmLA report flags escalating competition from outside markets, noting jurisdictions such as the U.K. and New York have roughly doubled studio inventory over the past five years. (filmla.com) Developers are still investing in higher-end facilities and technology—projects like the planned $450 million Echelon Studios and increasing LED-volume stages aim to attract event, branded and high-production-value shoots in 2026. (costar.com, lacenterstudios.com) IATSE maintains published rate sheets for current contracts covering 2025–2028, meaning commercial and branded productions that need union crews must account for those wage/fringe levels even as stage shoot days and bookings have shrunk. (iatse.com, filmla.com)
