After L.A. Fires, Bringing Production Back Has Become More Urgent Than Ever

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Survive till 2025, they said.

They didn’t say what would come next.

In the first seven days of the new year, fierce wildfires swept through Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena, resulting in an approximate loss of $250 billion in damage. For the entertainment industry, these fires not only disrupted filming schedules but also destroyed set locations and left numerous workers homeless.

According to Colleen Bell, the head of the California Film Commission, “this is undeniably a difficult turn of events.” She believes that some individuals within the entertainment industry may now view this as the final challenge they can endure.

Los Angeles-based movie industry professionals were trying to bounce back from the pandemic’s impact, faced with two work stoppages and a dramatic drop in production levels.

Amy Baer, executive producer of “The Apprentice,” expresses concern that the current industry may not survive the next five to ten years, and she finds this disappointing. She hopes that the upheaval we’re experiencing doesn’t cause the entire industry to veer off course.

But Bell’s not giving up on L.A. just yet.

She notes the strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork prevalent in this place. She acknowledges that we’re going through a challenging time, yet she remains optimistic, believing we can emerge from this even stronger and more robust than before.

To get production back to Los Angeles following the fires, let’s begin by reducing permit costs, suggests Danny Finn, a member of the Location Managers Guild International board who is based in L.A.

He proposes that halting permit fees for a while could be an incredibly beneficial move,” he states.

Governor Gavin Newsom has previously suggested increasing California’s annual film incentive from $330 million to $700 million. The Motion Picture Association, on the other hand, is advocating for further modifications that would make this program more advantageous and competitive with similar schemes in other states.

Due to the heavy dependence of movie funding on government subsidies, both domestically and internationally, it’s challenging to rationalize the increased costs associated with filming in Los Angeles without some form of financial aid from the state.

Baer suggests that it can be achieved by having studios, broadcasters, and streaming platforms declare their commitment to do so. He likens it to forming a task force. Imagine bringing together figures like Bob Iger, Ted Sarandos, Donna Langley, and others, and requesting Governor Newsom to boost production within the next six months. This would help revive the economy and aid those affected in their recovery.

In August 2024, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass formed a committee focused on film and television production, aiming to reduce the “exodus of production to other locations.” According to Baer, choosing to work within L.A. might mean productions need to make some budget cuts. “I don’t believe that’s an excessive cost for the opportunity to revitalize an economy that was struggling even before this crisis occurred,” said Baer.

Regardless of its expensive filming costs, Los Angeles boasts numerous benefits. As Mike Schur, who filmed “A Man on the Inside” there last year, points out, it’s a hub for the creative industry.

Schur finds the most joyous productions are those filmed at home. This way, cast members can retreat to their homes each night and spend time with loved ones or do activities close to where they live. He believes that the advantages of staying put greatly outshine any slight benefit from filming in distant locations.

In the initial week of the fires, application submissions for permits decreased by 80%. This suggests a halt in outdoor filming, although studio work resumed fairly swiftly according to Philip Sokoloski, representative for FilmLA.

The popular TV series “Hacks” restarted shooting its fourth season in Los Angeles following a temporary halt. Notably, one of its primary filming sites, a mansion in Altadena, was destroyed by the Eaton fire. Finn, a member of the production team, has stated that they will adapt and overcome the challenges.

He notes we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to locations for shooting,” he states. “I believe this spot, ever since the advent of cinema, has been and continues to be the most ideal destination worldwide for producing movies or TV series.

Carolyn Giardina, Marc Malkin, Michael Schneider and Jazz Tangcay contributed to this story.

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2025-01-18 21:16