Film and television production in the Greater Los Angeles area fell to its lowest level since the 2023 SAG‑AFA strike, according to FilmLA’s latest permitting data.

On‑location shoots dropped 13.2 % in the July‑September 2025 quarter versus the same period a year earlier, extending a multi‑year downward trend.

Employment in the local motion‑picture sector shrank from roughly 142 000 workers in 2022 to about 100 000 by the end of 2024—a 30 % reduction—with below‑the‑line crew hardest hit; 63 % reported lower earnings in 2024 and 41 % are contemplating leaving the industry.

Nationwide, theatrical releases have fallen 28 % since 2019 and scripted TV projects 25 %, while audience attendance is now roughly 30 % below 2015 levels. Industry leaders cite high taxes, inflation, rising ticket prices, and shifting creative priorities as key factors behind the decline, prompting city officials to introduce new tax incentives in hopes of reviving production activity.

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