California’s Film Industry Faces Job Losses Amid Strikes

Categories: California Business NewsCalifornia News

The impact of strikes leads to declining production days in California's film industry.

News Summary

California’s film and television sector is struggling with significant job losses following recent strikes. Around 40,000 jobs have been lost since 2023, leading to calls for increased tax incentives to stimulate local production. Governor Newsom has proposed raising tax credits to $750 million annually to combat this downturn, as many productions are relocating to more favorable regions. While some jobs were added in the past year, the industry remains 25% below pre-strike levels. A local initiative is pushing for emergency measures to encourage on-site production amidst these challenges.

California – Job losses in California’s film and television industry continue to rise post-strikes, prompting urgent calls for increased tax incentives to stimulate local production. Recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that approximately 40,000 jobs in the film and TV sector were lost in 2023 due to strikes organized by writers and actors. The decline in employment has been stark, with California’s entertainment industry seeing a reduction of about 20% compared to 2022.

The impact on production has been profound. According to FilmLA, the number of television production shoot days in the greater Los Angeles area plummeted from 18,560 in 2021 to just 7,716 by 2024, representing a staggering 58% decline since its peak. Additionally, on-location filming in Los Angeles fell by 22.4% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same time the previous year. Amid this grim landscape, film and television editor Phil Mangano reported experiencing steady work before the strikes but has now turned to applying for jobs outside the industry, including at Costco, due to financial pressures.

Government Response

In response to the ongoing decline in film and television production, California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed a significant increase in the state’s annual film and TV tax credits, raising them from $330 million to $750 million. This initiative aims to counteract the industry’s downturn and retain more productions within the state.

Challenges and Competition

As the industry faces mounting challenges, Matthew Belloni from Puck News described the scenario unfolding in Hollywood as a “triage situation.” Productions are now frequently relocating to states and countries that offer more favorable tax incentives, with some European nations providing incentives as high as 40%. Such shifts have led to an alarming trend in which many local crew members are either seeking new career paths or taking on side jobs to manage the uncertainty caused by the strikes.

Current Employment Landscape

Despite recent reports showing the entertainment sector added nearly 15,000 jobs last year, these gains have not sufficed to recover the losses sustained during the strikes. The speech on job availability paints a concerning picture, indicating that jobs in California’s entertainment industry for 2024 were still 25% below the peak levels seen in 2022, following pandemic disruptions. In 2024, the number of shooting days in Los Angeles County decreased by 42% compared to 2022, showcasing a further decline in local film work.

Moving Forward

Many Hollywood professionals remain in precarious situations, with reports of ongoing joblessness and mental health issues among those affected. Meanwhile, some workers are finding temporary stability, such as freelance sound utility worker Heather Fink, who secured a position with “Grey’s Anatomy.” However, this sense of normalcy is not universal.

A local initiative, termed “Stay in L.A.,” has been launched to advocate for emergency measures to inspire more on-site production and restore local filming opportunities. Overall, while some efforts are underway to rejuvenate the industry in California, the entertainment sector appears to be adjusting to a “new normal,” characterized by lower production levels that could have lasting implications for the region’s economic landscape.