LA Moves to Streamline Film Production

The "Keep Hollywood Home" initiative, championed by Councilmember Adrin Nazarian, consists of seven motions aimed at reversing the decline in local filming. Key measures include fast-tracking the certification of new soundstages, creating a free permit for small "micro-shoots," and reducing fees for using city-owned properties for filming. This legislative push is a direct response to significant production flight from Los Angeles. The city's share of worldwide film and TV projects fell from 23% in 2021 to just 18% in 2023. Jurisdictions like Georgia, New York, and the U.K. have successfully lured productions away with more aggressive tax incentives and streamlined processes. The decline has had a measurable impact; scripted production in L.A. County dropped by 14% in 2024 alone, continuing a downward trend. In the second quarter of 2024, the Greater Los Angeles Area saw a 36.4% decrease in on-location shoot days compared to its five-year average, reflecting the industry's slowdown post-strikes and the shift to other locales. These city-level reforms build on earlier actions by Mayor Karen Bass, who issued executive directives to make iconic locations like Griffith Observatory and the Central Library more accessible for filming. The city also plans to audit FilmLA, the region's film permitting office, to identify further efficiencies and reduce barriers for producers. This package is just the first phase of the plan. A second phase, currently in committee, will focus on creating new business incentives and retention programs, particularly for post-production companies. These efforts complement a major expansion of California's state film tax credit, which has been increased from $330 million to $750 million annually to better compete for large-scale productions.