On January 7, Los Angeles was hit with a devastating one-two punch: two massive wildfires that tore through the city, displacing thousands, destroying homes, and causing an estimated $60 billion in economic losses. It was a catastrophic blow, one that landed squarely on an already struggling film and television industry—an industry that, after years of pandemic disruptions and the seismic impact of the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, has been watching productions flee California for cheaper locations and bigger tax incentives.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has vowed to expand the state’s film and TV tax credit, a move that could help stabilize the local industry. But as IATSE International Vice President Michael F. Miller Jr. sees it, the real power lies with the studios themselves. If they truly want to support Los Angeles’ recovery, there’s only one way to do it: bring productions back home.
The State of Production in L.A. — and Why It’s Failing
Los Angeles has always been the heart of the entertainment industry. But today, a look at this year’s Best Picture nominees paints a stark picture: of the ten films in contention, only three were shot in the U.S.—and not one of them in California.
The shift away from L.A. is not new, but in the wake of the Palisades and Eaton wildfires, it’s more urgent than ever to reverse course. When the fires raged through the city last month, Los Angeles wasn’t just battling flames—it was grappling with an industry already hanging by a thread. Many crew members, struggling to recover from 2024’s industry contraction, have been financially devastated. And yet, even as thousands of local workers face an uncertain future, studios continue to send productions elsewhere in search of cost savings.
Studios Can Do More Than Donate—They Can Bring Jobs Back
In the wake of the fires, the studios stepped up with millions in relief donations, pledging to help rebuild communities. It’s a commendable effort. But if the industry really wants to make a difference, it’s not about writing checks—it’s about creating jobs.
Los Angeles doesn’t just need financial aid. It needs work. It needs stability. It needs its studios to commit to keeping a percentage of their productions in California for the next five years.
That kind of long-term commitment wouldn’t just benefit workers—it would give lawmakers the leverage they need to fight for meaningful legislative incentives. If studios agree to prioritize local production, Sacramento will have stronger justification to expand the state’s tax incentives, and Washington D.C. could be more inclined to consider a federal film tax incentive aimed at keeping productions from going overseas.
Crew Members Want to Stay—Studios Need to Make That Possible
Despite the destruction, one thing remains clear: workers don’t want to leave Los Angeles.
Over the past month, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with hundreds of IATSE members who have been directly impacted. Nearly 300 members lost their homes, and close to 8,000 live in the burn and evacuation zones. Yet, without exception, they’ve all said the same thing: they’re staying. They’re rebuilding. They want to work.
Hollywood’s major players have a choice to make. Do they continue to chase the lowest production costs at the expense of their home base? Or do they recognize that keeping L.A. strong isn’t just an act of goodwill—it’s an investment in the future of the industry itself?
As studios plan their next slate of productions, I urge them to think beyond the bottom line. Think about the workforce that has built this industry. Think about the city that has been the epicenter of film and television for more than a century.
Los Angeles is ready to recover. The question is: will the studios help it?
