Los Angeles is burning—both literally and metaphorically. As devastating wildfires rage through the region, claiming 24 lives, scorching 40,000 acres, and destroying over 12,300 structures, the city that gave birth to the entertainment industry is facing another crisis: the mass exodus of film and television production. Once the world’s undisputed production capital, Los Angeles is losing its grip as studios chase tax incentives in states like Georgia or countries like the U.K. But here’s the reality: no tax break can replace the community, legacy, and quality that come from keeping Hollywood in Hollywood.

This is a direct plea to studio heads, creative executives, and production leaders. We’re asking you to make a choice—not just for the bottom line but for your people, your stories, and the future of this industry. The recent wildfires have devastated entire communities, displacing tens of thousands of Angelenos, including countless industry workers. Grips, set decorators, writers, directors, actors, and other crew members are now homeless or struggling to rebuild. If you care about your teams, the talent pool, and the city that built your industry, you’ll think twice before sending productions to far-off hubs.

The numbers paint a grim picture. Disney has 22 live-action films slated for 2024, but only three are being shot in California. Warner Bros., Sony, and Universal are funneling the majority of their production dollars out of state and overseas. Georgia offers a 30–40% tax credit. The U.K. includes Above-the-Line (ATL) costs in its 30% rebate. Meanwhile, California struggles with a 20% credit capped at $330 million annually, even with recent efforts to expand to $750 million. It’s clear that other hubs are winning the “tax incentive arms race.” But at what cost?

What these decisions fail to account for is the human impact. Los Angeles isn’t just a filming location; it’s home to the most skilled and experienced talent in the world. When productions leave, they take more than jobs. They strip away health insurance, stability, and opportunities for thousands of families. The impact ripples through caterers, equipment suppliers, local shops, and small businesses that depend on the entertainment ecosystem to survive.

Here’s where the industry needs to step up. Disney and Warner Bros. each just donated $15m to wildfire relief, Amazon, Netflix and Comcast,  $10 million each, Paramount $1m. While those contributions are commendable, let’s be honest: if you turn around and send your next major production to the U.K. or Hungary, how committed are you really to the community you claim to support?

Keeping productions in Los Angeles isn’t just good for the city—it’s good for the stories you tell. When writers, directors, cast, and crew can go home to their families after a long day on set, they’re more creative, energized, and committed. There’s a unique quality to productions that are made by people who are deeply connected to the place they live. That magic doesn’t come from a soundstage in Budapest or a set in Atlanta. It comes from Los Angeles, the heart of this industry.

Yes, L.A. needs to do more to compete. We need to expand tax credits, streamline permitting processes, and make it easier for studios to film here. But the responsibility doesn’t rest solely on government officials. Studio executives and production leaders must take ownership of the choices they make. By keeping production local, you’re investing in the long-term health of your workforce, the economy, and the industry itself.

The wildfires have underscored the urgency of this moment. More than 92,000 residents are under evacuation orders, and 89,000 more are on standby. Many of these people are the same ones who make your productions possible. They’re your costume designers, your camera operators, your set builders. By choosing to film in Los Angeles, you’re not just providing jobs—you’re helping families recover and communities rebuild.

This isn’t just about dollars and cents. It’s about legacy. Los Angeles has been the entertainment capital of the world for over a century. It’s where the magic of storytelling began, and it’s where it should stay. By keeping Hollywood in Hollywood, you’re honoring that legacy while ensuring its future.

This is a moment for bold decisions and moral clarity. Choose to support the city that has supported you for decades. Choose to invest in the people who make your productions great. Choose to keep Hollywood in Los Angeles. Because when you do, everyone wins.

Together, we can rebuild. Together, we can ensure that the heart of the entertainment industry continues to beat right here, where it belongs. And at StageRunner, we’ll be here, doing our part to report on where you’re sending those productions and we’ll celebrate those who step up when it matters most.