Headline: L.A.’s Devastating Wildfires Spark Plea to Bring Production Back to Region
The recent wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles have left the city’s entertainment industry in a state of uncertainty, with many calling for productions to return to the region to help boost the local economy. One of the most vocal proponents of this effort is prominent cinematographer and director Rachel Morrison, who has taken to social media to urge filmmakers to consider shooting in Los Angeles.
The fires, which destroyed over 12,000 structures and displaced tens of thousands of people, have had a devastating impact on the city’s film and TV production community. Many crew members have lost their homes and are now facing significant challenges in finding new accommodations, which could have a major impact on production schedules and costs.
The losses suffered by the film and TV community are estimated to be in the millions, with many workers already feeling the pinch. “The fires really did go through a lot of communities that are so central to housing film workers,” said Jason Lester, a music video and commercial director who has worked on projects such as Hozier’s “The Evening” and Phoebe Bridgers’ “Scott Street”. “That can’t help but have an effect on the industry, especially in the short term.”
As a result, there are concerns that the wildfires could accelerate a trend of film and TV production migrating away from California, particularly to states with lower costs of living and production costs. However, many industry insiders believe that this could be a turning point for the region, with the opportunity to rebuild and revitalize the local production community.
One of the key factors that could help to lure productions back to Los Angeles is the state’s tax credit program, which has been the subject of criticism and controversy in recent years. Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced plans to more than double the amount of tax credits available to film and TV productions, with the goal of rescuing the industry in the city.
Industry insiders believe that the overhaul to the tax incentive program must be the “anchor of relief” for the industry, and that unless there is government support for productions to shoot in Los Angeles, the region could continue to struggle. “Unless there’s government support for why people should shoot here, what’s the point of rebuilding in Altadena if production is already on its way out?” said Elsa Ramo, a lawyer who handles production and distribution for companies such as Fox and Skydance.
Despite the challenges, there are still many reasons to believe that Los Angeles can rebound and emerge stronger than ever. The city’s soundstages, which host the majority of TV and movie shoots, remain unscathed, and several productions have already resumed filming following the wildfires.
In the end, the decision to bring production back to Los Angeles will depend on a number of factors, including the ability of the region to rebuild and revitalize its film and TV community, as well as the success of efforts to overhaul the state’s tax credit program. While the road ahead will be difficult, there is still a sense of optimism that the region can emerge stronger and more resilient than ever.