By Lisa Richwine
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – While the excitement of the movie awards season builds towards the Oscars on Sunday, Hollywood is facing a challenge to maintain its position as the epicenter of the global film industry.
None of the 10 best picture nominees being honored at the Dolby Theatre were filmed in Los Angeles, traditionally home to most major film studios for over a century. For instance, the film “Wicked,” a prequel to the iconic “The Wizard of Oz,” was shot in Britain.
Over the years, movie and TV production has been leaving Hollywood for locations offering tax incentives that reduce filming costs. Following strikes by writers and actors in 2023, industry workers were hopeful for a resurgence in Los Angeles, but data suggests that the recovery has been slow.
The wildfires that ravaged parts of Los Angeles in January have heightened concerns that filmmakers may seek other locales, potentially causing crew members like camera operators, costume designers, and sound technicians to relocate rather than rebuild in their communities.
“There are many people who have been out of work due to the strikes and now the fires,” said Samantha Quan, the producer of the Oscar-nominated film “Anora,” shot in Brooklyn, New York, and Las Vegas. “I believe it’s a wake-up call for everyone to advocate for productions returning to Los Angeles.”
Supporters have initiated a “Stay in LA” initiative, aiming to leverage the solidarity shown towards Angelenos post-wildfires. A petition is urging policymakers to lift the cap on tax incentives for filming in the city for the next three years as part of the wildfire recovery process.
They are also calling on studios to commit to boosting production in LA by at least 10% over the next three years.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has proposed increasing the state’s film and TV tax credits to $750 million annually, up from the current $330 million.
Filmmaker Sarah Adina Smith, a key organizer of the “Stay in LA” campaign, supported this increment but urged the state to do more, including simplifying the permitting process.
“We’re not saying everything should be shot in LA, but it’s rarely even considered nowadays,” she remarked.
Smith recounted developing a show centered on the culture of LA and Malibu but being forced to choose between South Africa and Australia due to budget constraints.
“That’s the narrative that needs to change because losing this fantastic industry and legacy here would be a huge loss,” she emphasized.
Over 21,000 individuals, including notable figures like Kevin Bacon, Zooey Deschanel, Bette Midler, Keanu Reeves, and Olivia Wilde, have signed the “Stay in LA” petition.
Susan Sprung, CEO of the Producers Guild of America, emphasized the significance of generating job opportunities in LA. “We possess the finest crews and producers globally. Many reside here and prefer working locally.”
In contrast
Moving forward to different locations such as Britain, Vancouver, Central Europe, and Australia, a shift in the entertainment industry landscape may be on the horizon. While major studios like Walt Disney and Netflix are historically centered in Los Angeles, writer Alexandra Pechman, an organizer for the “Stay in LA” movement, suggests that this dynamic could potentially evolve.
Pechman questions the rationale behind studios maintaining their offices in Los Angeles if they are not fully committed to filming projects in the same location. She expresses concerns that if projects start relocating, job opportunities could follow suit, leading to a potential exodus from the city. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the national executive director of the SAG-AFTRA actors union, remains hopeful following discussions with Hollywood CEOs. According to Crabtree-Ireland, one executive has assured him of the intention to film 60 projects in Los Angeles within the current year.
Anticipating a revitalization of the industry, Crabtree-Ireland expresses eagerness for this process to unfold swiftly, emphasizing the need for immediate action. The upcoming Oscars ceremony is poised to acknowledge the recent challenges faced by Los Angeles, highlighting the city’s resilience. Organizers of the event may leverage the platform to advocate for continued production in Hollywood, mirroring similar sentiments expressed at previous awards ceremonies.
At the recent Critics Choice Awards, Paul W. Downs, co-creator of “Hacks,” urged industry influencers to prioritize filming in Los Angeles. Downs emphasizes the significance of promoting Los Angeles as a hub for entertainment production, rejecting the notion that luck plays a role in choosing the city as a filming location. He asserts that as an industry stronghold, Los Angeles should be a primary choice for hosting productions, calling upon industry leaders to spearhead this effort.
With a call to action resonating within the entertainment community, the push to maintain Los Angeles as a vital filming destination gains momentum. As stakeholders continue to advocate for the city’s significance in the industry, the potential for a resurgence in local production remains a focal point in navigating the evolving landscape of entertainment.
