Is LA Film and TV Production Coming Back to Life?

Los Angeles is breathing again. After years of runaway productions, pandemic shutdowns, and a brutal double strike in 2023, the city’s film and television ecosystem was pushed to the brink. Studios slashed slates, crews scattered to Atlanta, New Mexico, and Toronto, and rental houses shuttered. But now, subtle but significant signals suggest that production in LA is not just stabilizing—it may be on the verge of a measured comeback.

The data isn’t screaming recovery yet. But it’s whispering resilience.

The Long Road Back from 2023’s Double Blow

The 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes didn’t just pause production—they shattered it. Over 120,000 entertainment workers were idled. According to the California Film Commission, in-state spending on qualified productions plummeted 40% year-over-year by Q4 2023. Soundstages sat dark. Catering trucks were sold off. Many skilled workers left the industry.

But strikes end. Contracts get signed. And what comes next matters.

By early 2024, studios began clearing the backlog. Netflix greenlit six new series to shoot in LA, including a high-profile limited series about California’s tech boom. Apple TV+ expanded its infrastructure at Culver Studios, doubling its dedicated soundstage footprint. Amazon shifted two Prime Video dramas from Albuquerque back to Warner Center and Universal City.

These aren’t just renewals. They’re recalibrations.

Why Productions Are Reconsidering LA

It’s not nostalgia driving this shift—it’s logistics, creative control, and long-term cost efficiency.

Many productions that chased tax incentives out of state found hidden costs: higher travel and housing for key creatives, fractured crew continuity, and mismatched local talent pools. A drama needing authentic LA grit—say, a show about the music industry or wildfire season—loses authenticity when filmed in Georgia with stock mountain backdrops.

Take The Residence, a recent Netflix political thriller. Originally slated for Vancouver, it moved back to LA after location scouts couldn’t replicate the White House-adjacent tension with Westside estates. The change saved $1.2 million in visual effects and set dressing, according to production sources.

Additionally, LA’s infrastructure remains unmatched. With over 130 soundstages currently in use across the region and another 20 under construction—including new facilities in Pacoima and downtown’s Arts District—the city still offers density, flexibility, and speed that smaller markets can’t match.

The Role of Streamers in the Rebound

Streamers are the backbone of today’s production landscape—and they’re leading the LA turnaround.

While Netflix, Hulu, and Apple initially fueled the exodus with tax-driven deals, they’re now investing heavily in local operations:

• Netflix now operates three major LA campuses: Sunset Bronson, Red Studios Hollywood, and its massive new production hub in Hollywood Park.
• Disney+ moved The Acolyte’s second season from the UK back to LA to streamline collaboration between Lucasfilm’s HQ and on-set VFX teams.
• Apple just signed a 10-year lease on the former CBS Radford lot, rebranding it as Apple Studios North.

These aren’t rentals. They’re commitments.

And they’re creating jobs. The IATSE local reported a 27% increase in new membership applications in LA County from January to June 2024—the first sustained growth since 2021.

Tax Incentives: Is California Competitive Again?

California’s tax credit program has long been criticized as underfunded and slow. But recent changes are making a difference.

In 2023, the state increased its annual film incentive allocation from $330 million to $555 million and expanded eligibility to include more independent and mid-budget projects. The program now prioritizes productions that hire local crew and use California vendors.

The impact? In the first half of 2024, 48 projects received tax credits to shoot in LA, up from 29 in the same period the year before. Notable beneficiaries:

• Echo Park, a Hulu drama about queer artists (credited $8.3M)
• Chasing Light, a Sony indie with rising stars (credited $4.1M)
• The Loop, a network procedural returning from Chicago (credited $12.7M)

While still below New York or Georgia’s incentive caps, California’s program is now fast enough and transparent enough to be a real factor in location decisions—especially for productions already rooted in LA’s culture.

The Talent Factor: Crews, Creatives, and the Return to Normal

A production ecosystem is only as strong as its people. And LA still has the deepest bench.

After the strikes, many feared a permanent brain drain. Some directors moved to Europe. Cinematographers signed long-term deals in Toronto. But as work returned, so did the talent.

“We lost a few key grips and electrics to New Mexico,” said a veteran LA line producer. “But once we got City on Fire greenlit here, six of them came back. They missed the pace, the network, the taco trucks on set.”

More importantly, the return of regular work has stabilized freelance careers. Many below-the-line workers took side gigs in construction or ride-sharing during the strike. Now, with consistent shoots, they’re re-engaging with unions and training programs.

UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television reported a 34% jump in enrollment for its production track—proof that the next generation still sees LA as the center of gravity.

Studio Infrastructure: Rebuilding the Foundation

You can’t shoot a show without stages. And after years of closures, LA is rebuilding its physical backbone.

Notable developments:

• Red Studios Hollywood: Fully renovated, now offering Stage 10 with a 60x60-foot water tank for aquatic scenes.
• Warner Bros. Hollywood: Added two new LED volume stages for virtual production.
• The Prospect Studios: Reopened under new ownership, focusing on indie and limited series.
• Amazon’s Burbank Expansion: A $200M investment to convert an old office complex into a full-service production lot.

These upgrades aren’t just cosmetic. They reflect a bet on hybrid production models—where physical sets, virtual backdrops, and real LA locations blend seamlessly.

One example: Echo Park used a combination of on-location shooting in Silver Lake and virtual skies rendered on an LED wall at Sunset Gower. The result? A hyper-local aesthetic with studio-level control.

Reality Check: Challenges That Remain

The rebound is real—but it’s fragile.

First, housing and cost of living remain barriers. A grip earning $45/hour can’t afford a one-bedroom in Koreatown. Many crews still commute 90 minutes from the Inland Empire, adding fatigue and turnover.

Second, competition is fierce. Georgia offers 30% transferable tax credits. New Mexico gives 35% with no cap. California’s 25% non-transferable credit is harder to leverage for indie producers.

And third, the project pipeline is still below pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, LA hosted 412 qualified productions. In 2023, it was 228. The 2024 total is on pace for about 280—better, but not back.

Also, not all genres are returning equally. Reality TV and commercials never left. Big-budget sci-fi still leans toward out-of-state or overseas shoots. It’s the mid-tier dramas, comedies, and limited series—LA’s bread and butter—that are slowly re-establishing roots.

What a Sustainable Comeback Looks Like

This isn’t about reliving the 2010s boom. It’s about building something more balanced and resilient.

A sustainable LA production future means:

• More mid-budget, character-driven stories that leverage local authenticity
• Stronger partnerships between studios, municipalities, and unions
• Investments in affordable housing and transportation for crew
• Faster, more transparent incentive processing

It also means embracing hybrid models. The most successful recent shoots—like The Residence and Echo Park—used a mix of real locations, soundstages, and virtual production. They didn’t reject technology; they integrated it.

And they stayed in LA because it made creative and economic sense—not just sentimental one.

The Bottom Line: Momentum Is Building

Is film and TV production in Los Angeles back to normal? No.

Is it starting to turn the corner? Absolutely.

The signals—studio investments, tax credit uptake, crew return, infrastructure upgrades—are aligning. The worst of the downturn is over. The scramble for survival has given way to strategic planning.

For producers, agents, and crew members, the message is clear: LA is open for business again. Not at full throttle. But with purpose.

If you’re weighing where to shoot your next project, don’t assume the incentives elsewhere are unbeatable. Run the full cost: travel, authenticity, crew continuity, post-production access. You might find that Los Angeles—still the creative heart of American storytelling—is not just viable, but vital.

FAQ

Are film incentives in California enough to compete with Georgia or New Mexico? California’s 25% non-transferable credit is less flexible than Georgia’s 30% or New Mexico’s 35%, but recent funding increases and faster processing make it competitive for productions already based in or tied to LA.

How many soundstages are currently active in Los Angeles? Over 130 soundstages are in active use across LA County, with an additional 20 in development or under renovation.

Did the 2023 strikes permanently damage LA’s production industry? No. While the strikes caused short-term collapse, the underlying infrastructure and talent pool remained intact. Production is rebounding as studios clear backlogs and sign new deals.

Are streamers bringing more work back to LA? Yes. Netflix, Apple, and Disney+ are expanding local facilities and shifting some productions back from out-of-state locations due to creative and logistical advantages.

What types of shows are most likely to shoot in LA now? Mid-budget dramas, limited series, and comedies with authentic LA settings—especially those involving music, tech, or urban life—are increasingly choosing local shoots.

Is it easier to get union crew in LA now? Yes. IATSE and Teamsters have seen membership and availability rebound since mid-2024, though some specialized roles still face shortages.

What’s the biggest challenge for productions considering LA? High cost of living and crew housing remain significant hurdles, especially for lower-budget projects relying on freelance talent.