Los Angeles Sees Sharp Decline in Reality TV Production, Impacting Overall TV Shoot Days

What's Happening?

Reality television production in Los Angeles experienced a significant decline over the summer, resulting in a nearly 21% drop in overall TV shoot days. According to FilmLA, a nonprofit organization responsible for film permits in the Los Angeles region, the total number of shoot days from July to September was 4,380, marking a 13.2% decrease compared to the previous year. This decline comes despite the introduction of a newly bolstered film and TV tax credit program by the state. The program saw a 400% increase in applications, with 22 TV series selected for incentives, 18 of which are primarily filming in the L.A. area. However, the impact of these incentives is not yet fully reflected in the third-quarter data. Reality TV production specifically dropped to 649 shoot days, a 31.4% decrease from last year, while other genres like drama and pilots also saw downturns. Conversely, television comedies showed an increase in production days.

Why It's Important?

The decline in reality TV production in Los Angeles is significant as TV production is a major driver of the region's entertainment industry. The drop in shoot days could have economic implications for local businesses and workers dependent on the industry. The introduction of the state's enhanced film and TV tax credit program aims to revitalize production, but its effects are yet to be fully realized. The decrease in production days highlights the challenges faced by the industry, including competition from other regions and changing viewer preferences. The increase in applications for tax credits suggests a strong interest in filming in L.A., which could lead to a rebound in production activity in the future.

What's Next?

FilmLA executives are optimistic about the future impact of the tax credit program, as productions begin to line up locations and pull permits. The incentives are expected to attract more projects to the area, potentially reversing the current decline in shoot days. As productions that received incentives have 180 days to start filming, the coming months may see an increase in activity. The industry will be closely monitoring the effectiveness of the tax credits in boosting local production and whether they can sustain long-term growth in the face of competition from other regions.