Filming Permit Applications Plummet Due to Fires but the City Is ‘Open for Business,’ Says FilmLA

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By the end of 2024, FilmLA’s most recent data showed that the Greater Los Angeles region experienced an increase of 6.2% in production during the last three months compared to the previous period.

In the final quarter, most types of productions saw improvements, but reality TV has persisted in a downward trend instead.

2021 was expected to mark a significant shift in California’s key sector, as Governor Gavin Newsom aimed to amplify the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program from its current $330 million annual budget to a staggering $750 million.

On the last Tuesday, flames swept through various parts of Los Angeles, leading to the destruction of numerous structures and necessitating large-scale evacuations. Approximately 15,000 acres have been scorched in Pacific Palisades and Malibu, while a fire in Altadena has consumed over 10,000 acres. A third inferno has charred more than 700 acres at the summit of San Fernando Valley. The potential cost of damage to Los Angeles from these fires is projected to be around $250 billion and growing.

2025 brings anticipation for further expansion of our business, but we mustn’t forget that the devastating fires in Greater Los Angeles have left an indelible mark on every aspect of life here. I, as a cinephile, can attest to this reality. The heartbreaking loss of lives, homes, businesses, and cherished community spaces has struck close to home for many who contribute to our region’s thriving entertainment industry. Tragically, places that have captured the hearts of audiences nationwide may never reappear on the silver screen again.

In conversation with EbMaster, Phillip Sokoloski, Vice President of integrated communications, stated, “By the close of 2024, assuming no additional factors come into play, we might confidently claim that we have reached a point of stability and ongoing activity in the greater Los Angeles area. For some time now, people have been asking about what the ‘new normal’ will look like, and I believe we’ve hit bottom and are now considering the potential for growth in business during 2025.

As a fan, I’ve noticed a significant change in shoot schedules since the recent fires started. According to FilmLA’s data from the same week last year, we’re seeing around half the activity on set days now. Applications for filming permits during that period have dropped by about 80%, indicating a more cautious approach towards resuming production.

Sokoloski explains that filming is gradually returning to studio lots, which offer controlled environments. However, locations affected by the fires may take longer to resume shooting due to ongoing evacuation zones. He emphasizes that filmmakers are mindful of the firefighters’ work and are coordinating permits only for areas outside these active zones, giving them space to carry out their duties effectively.

Moving forward in this quarter, Sokoloski stated that the city is actively seeking partnerships. He emphasized their readiness to collaborate with businesses and expressed confidence in finding solutions tailored to their location preferences. Moreover, he highlighted the city’s swift response when businesses are prepared to resume operations.

In 2024, overall annual film production ended up being about 5.6% less than in 2023, making it the second least productive year on record for FilmLA. The only year that saw lower levels of filming in local communities was 2020, which was significantly impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

For nine consecutive quarters, reality TV production has experienced a decline. In the fourth quarter alone, there was a drop of approximately 45.7%, resulting in 774 filming days. By the end of the year, this category had dropped by around 45.9%, or 3,905 shoot days, which is about 43.1% lower than its average over the past five years.

In the final three months of 2024, there was a significant jump of 82.4% in the number of days used for feature film production, reaching 589 shoot days. This surge is largely credited to the rise in independent filmmaking. Furthermore, the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program contributed to about 19.2% of this quarter’s production activity. For the entire year, feature film production increased by 18.8%. However, it should be noted that despite this growth, the category is still lagging behind its five-year average by 27.6%.

TV drama creation in scripted productions surpassed the 2023 levels impacted by strikes during the fourth quarter, totaling 528 shooting days. This growth was facilitated by the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program, which supported approximately 19.5% of all on-location TV drama production. Last year, the TV Drama category more than doubled its annual production compared to 2023, yet it still lags behind its five-year average by 36.6%.

Production in commercials decreased by 33.3% compared to its five-year average in the fourth quarter, while annual production levels remained relatively stable with a decline of 1.7%. However, commercial production itself saw an increase of 2.3% during this period. This trend is observed in L.A.-based commercial producers, who have noticed fewer job opportunities compared to the recent past. On a positive note, FilmLA’s “Other” category, encompassing smaller shoots like still photography, student films, documentaries, music videos, and industrial videos, experienced a 6.1% rise in the last quarter (to 2,912 shoot days) and remained consistent year-over-year with 10,154 shoot days.

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2025-01-15 23:18