On-location filming in Higher Los Angeles continues to say no, although early indicators from California’s newly expanded Movie & Tv Tax Credit score Program counsel that restoration might be on the horizon. Can this actually supply a turnaround as LA movie manufacturing declines?
FilmLA’s newest quarterly report, launched yesterday, paints one other difficult image for California’s manufacturing capital, following the prior decline in Q2 2025, which we additionally reported about. The group recorded simply 4,380 shoot days between July and September 2025, a 13.2% lower in comparison with the identical interval final 12 months. The decline spans most classes, but there are glimmers of progress as incentive-backed initiatives start to ramp up following the passage of Meeting Invoice 1138 (Zbur/Bryan) earlier this 12 months.
Slight rebound in function movie manufacturing in comparison with the identical quarter final 12 months, however commercials took a tough hit. Screenshot from FilmLA Q3 2025 report.
Function movies rebound barely
Function movie manufacturing was one of many few optimistic notes of the quarter, climbing 9.7% year-over-year to 522 shoot days. Based on FilmLA, about 22% of these initiatives had been tied to the brand new tax incentives, an early indication that the expanded credit are beginning to acquire traction. Native productions included impartial titles similar to Animals, Misty Inexperienced, The Musical, The Seekers, and You Can’t Be Comfortable, all a part of a continued development towards indie-led shoots within the area.
This modest rebound follows the steep 21.4% drop in function exercise reported in Q2 2025, when all native productions had been impartial. The advance means that the up to date tax credit score system could also be slowly reversing the exodus of productions to extra incentive-heavy areas.
Tv stays the principle driver regardless of steep decline
Tv, historically Los Angeles’ strongest manufacturing section, fell sharply by 20.7% to 1,441 shoot days, largely attributable to a major drop in actuality and sport present manufacturing. Actuality programming declined to 649 shoot days, down from 1,124 within the earlier quarter. Regardless of this, a number of well-known collection continued filming domestically, together with Dancing with the Stars (ABC), The Value is Proper (CBS), and Dinner Time Reside with David Chang (Netflix).
Steep decline in TV manufacturing in Los Angeles. Screenshot from FilmLA Q3 2025 report.
TV dramas noticed a 19% decline to 545 shoot days, whereas comedy initiatives rose 41% to 79 shoot days, hinting at renewed variety in scripted codecs. Excessive-profile titles filmed within the area included 9-1-1 Season 9 (Fox), Prison Minds Season 19 (CBS), Excessive Potential Season 2 (ABC), Bel-Air Season 4 (Peacock), Golf Season 1 (Netflix), and Shrinking Season 3 (Apple TV+).
Decline in shoot days throughout the board in LA for TV manufacturing in all areas in Q3 2025. Screenshot from FilmLA Q3 2025 report.
Commercials and different classes additionally slip
Industrial manufacturing continued its downward trajectory, dropping 17.9% to 668 shoot days. FilmLA once more emphasised that this sector stays unprotected by any native or state-level incentives, making it a delicate indicator of California’s total manufacturing competitiveness. Current campaigns shot in LA included work for Lululemon, McDonald’s, Walmart, BMW, and Toyota.
The “Different” class, which encompasses nonetheless pictures, pupil movies, documentaries, music movies, and on-line content material, additionally contracted, slipping 9.9% year-over-year to 1,749 shoot days.
Cautious optimism as incentive-backed productions ramp up
FilmLA’s Vice President Philip Sokoloski struck a hopeful tone regardless of the summer time slowdown. “We all know that it’ll take a short while for brand new incentive-backed initiatives to get underway and be mirrored in our knowledge,” he mentioned, noting that the workplace has already begun receiving calls from productions planning to drag permits below the brand new system.
The California Movie Fee has accepted 22 initiatives to this point below the expanded program, 18 of that are tv collection anticipated to shoot in Higher Los Angeles. These initiatives should start principal pictures inside 180 days of receiving their incentive award, suggesting that the impression of the brand new credit will turn out to be extra seen in early 2026.
Lengthy-term development: LA movie manufacturing declines
With whole exercise now 37% under the five-year common, Los Angeles’ movie financial system stays below strain. But, the gradual rise in incentive-linked shoots may mark the start of a turnaround, offered that state and native policymakers proceed efforts to take away manufacturing limitations and streamline allowing.
As Sokoloski concluded, “LA’s inventive business is simply too necessary to let go with out a struggle.” FilmLA is now internet hosting business listening periods to determine actionable coverage enhancements aimed toward conserving extra productions and jobs in California.
Are you at the moment engaged on an incentive-backed manufacturing in Los Angeles? Have the brand new tax credit made a distinction in your workforce but? Share your expertise within the feedback under.
