FilmLA reports a challenging third quarter for 2024
A decline in overall production
The recent data released by FilmLA, the agency responsible for managing film permits in Los Angeles, highlights a concerning trend in the third quarter of 2024. Production in the Greater Los Angeles area saw a significant decrease, dropping 5% to a total of 5,048 shoot days.
Scripted television struggles
In the realm of scripted television, the figures reveal a sobering reality. Producers of TV Drama, TV Comedy, and TV Pilots collectively managed only 758 shoot days last quarter. This segment, typically a robust contributor to LA’s filming economy, has faced substantial setbacks.
Feature film surge offers a glimmer of hope
Despite the broader decline, there was a notable bright spot: feature film production witnessed an impressive rise. Shooting days for feature films increased by 26.6% to 476 shoot days in the last quarter. This surge, partly sustained even during industry strikes, brought much-needed relief to LA-based talent, studio operators, and vendors. Yet, the overall industry output still falls short of the high expectations set during the post-COVID streaming boom.
The broader impact on the industry
Industry experts are examining these trends closely. FilmLA’s President, Paul Audley, noted a stark contrast between last year’s optimistic projections and the current reality. “Only a few months ago, the industry hoped for an overall gain in the third quarter due to the strike effect. Instead, we saw a pullback and loss of forward momentum as we head into a crucial fall season.”
Reality TV takes a massive hit
Reality TV suffered the sharpest decline, with shoot days plummeting by 56.3% to just 946. The steep drop of 1,220 shoot days over the summer in reality production more than accounts for the entire loss across all filming categories. This sector’s downturn significantly impacted the total number of shoot days, which stood at 5,311 in Q3 2023 compared to 5,048 in Q3 2024.
Commercial production shows resilience
Interestingly, commercial production showed some resilience. Both television and web-based commercial shoots in Greater Los Angeles rose by 7.4% last quarter, totaling 814 shoot days. Brands like Adobe, Amazon, and Google were among those contributing to this rise. Although this marks the first year-over-year growth in any quarter since 2022, commercial production levels still fall short of their 5-year adjusted averages.
Tax incentives and ongoing support
FilmLA continues to back the expansion of California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program. This program has been instrumental in attracting new productions to Los Angeles, evidenced by the filming of new series like “Forever,” “High Potential,” and “Matlock.”
The role of incentivized projects
Long-running series such as “Paradise City,” “S.W.A.T.,” and “The Rookie” have also benefitted from these incentives. In Q3, nearly a quarter of all TV drama shoot days (164 out of 758) were linked to incentivized projects.
Audley’s advocacy for the program is unwavering: “California’s film incentive is a proven job creator that provides a net positive return on every allocated dollar. However, the program lacks funding and eligibility criteria that align with the industry’s current outputs. While the California Film Commission excels in managing the program, we must innovate to remain competitive.”
Other production categories
Smaller sectors, such as still photography, student films, documentaries, music videos, and industrial videos, recorded a slight decline of 0.6%, totaling 1,941 shoot days. These categories, though less impactful on the overall production landscape, still reflect the broader trends affecting the LA film scene.
Final thoughts
The third quarter of 2024 has been a mixed bag for Los Angeles filming. While feature film production provided some optimism, sectors like reality TV and scripted television struggled significantly. Ongoing support for tax incentives and a proactive approach to adapting industry strategies will be crucial to navigating these challenges.
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