#StayinLA aims to boost production and hope in LA

production
(Fox backlot)

The heart of the entertainment industry is at a crossroads. With productions increasingly moving out of Los Angeles and overseas, local film and TV workers, small businesses, and the city’s economy are facing mounting challenges. The devastation caused by the Eaton, Hughes, and Palisades wildfires has only worsened the situation, threatening LA’s standing as the world’s premier hub for film and television production. In response, a grassroots initiative known as #StayInLA has emerged, aiming to revitalize Los Angeles’s production industry and ensure a stable future for the city’s creative workforce.

The movement is calling on government officials, studios, and streaming platforms to take immediate action to keep productions local and support those whose livelihoods depend on the industry.

Led by CA UNITED Founder and President Wes Bailey, Co-President, Pamala Buzick Kim, and Vice-President Marie Dunaway, the organization partnered with a group of filmmakers and showrunners—including Sarah Adina Smith, Nick Antosca, Julie Plec, Michael Sucsy, and Alex Winter—to launch #StayinLA, recognizing the existential threat this crisis poses to our creative community and the city at large.

“To keep productions in LA, we must remain competitive at both the state and international level. Without immediate action, productions will continue to leave for states and countries offering stronger incentives, taking thousands of jobs and billions in economic activity with them,” Kim noted to Reel 360 News.

A Call for Increased Tax Incentives and Studio Commitments

At the core of the #StayInLA movement is a proposal to uncap tax incentives for productions filming in Los Angeles County for the next three years. This measure would be part of a broader disaster relief effort, recognizing the financial strain placed on the city due to recent wildfires and the ongoing production exodus.

The movement is also urging major studios and streaming services to pledge at least a 10% increase in local productions over the next three years, demonstrating a long-term investment in LA’s workforce. By incentivizing production to stay in LA, advocates believe the city can rebuild itself while maintaining its historic status as the entertainment capital of the world.

However, Kim doesn’t want to stop there. She wants to include the advertising industry and post-production in the tax incentives as well. “Crucially, we must also include commercials and post-production in tax incentive expansions to fully heal our declining industry and rebuild Los Angeles. These sectors are integral to our production ecosystem, generating thousands of jobs and sustaining the small businesses that rely on them. Without their inclusion, we risk further fragmentation of an already struggling industry.”

She added, “By advocating for increased tax incentives across all production sectors, #StayinLA aims not only to retain existing productions but also to attract new projects, ensuring that thousands of industry workers and local businesses continue to thrive.”

Governor Gavin Newsom has already proposed increasing California’s annual film and TV tax incentive to $750 million, a move the movement strongly supports. However, #StayInLA argues that a targeted incentive specific to Los Angeles County is necessary to ensure the city remains a viable home for film and TV workers.

“The fires remind us that we are nothing without each other,” says Sarah Adina Smith, who conceived the plan and organized the petition with fellow filmmaker Alexandra Pechman. “Los Angeles is like no place else on Earth because of the people who live here — but they can’t afford to stay and rebuild without jobs.”

The two filmmakers worked with approximately 30 industry professionals, including Nick Antosca, Julie Plec, Michael Sucsy, and Alex Winter, in collaboration with CA UNITED, a group dedicated to keeping film and TV productions in California.

Production in LA at a Critical Low

Despite an uptick in production in the last quarter of 2024, FilmLA, which coordinates film permits in the city, reported a 5.6% decline in production compared to the previous year. More alarmingly, 2024 was the second least productive year on record—the only lower year being 2020, when COVID-19 shut down most productions.

“I’ve been a proud Angeleno for most of my adult life and have rarely been able to film in my hometown with the highly skilled crew that lives here,” says Alex Winter, best known for starring in the Bill & Ted films. “My latest feature film was just shot and posted in Canada. Their robust rebate was the only way to make our budget work.”

The Economic Ripple Effect of Film and TV Production

Keeping production in Los Angeles is about more than just keeping actors and directors employed—it has a massive economic impact on the city.

According to the California Production Coalition, an average location shoot generates:

  • $670,000 in economic activity per day
  • 1,500 local jobs per day
  • $24.40 in new economic activity for every $1 spent on production incentives
  • $8.60 in wages and labor income
  • $16.14 in increased GDP

Beyond direct employment, every sector benefits when production stays in LA—from restaurants and retail to salons, hospitality, and real estate. A thriving entertainment industry uplifts the entire city, ensuring that local businesses remain open and that families can afford to stay in their homes.

Industry and Union Support for #StayInLA

The #StayInLA campaign has already garnered significant support from industry organizations. The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839, and other unions representing thousands of film and TV workers are advocating for the initiative, urging lawmakers and studios to prioritize local jobs over tax breaks in other states and countries.

The petition has drawn the support of some of the industry’s most influential voices, including Rian Johnson, Bette Midler, Patty Jenkins, Joey King, Zooey Deschanel, Joshua Jackson, Olivia Wilde, Lilly Wachowski, Connie Britton, Keanu Reeves and Sian Heder—demonstrating the urgency of this issue.

How to Get Involved with #StayinLA

For those who want to support the movement, the #StayInLA petition is now live at StayInLA.org. By signing, individuals can advocate for policies that will keep jobs in LA, stimulate local businesses, and preserve the city’s place as the entertainment capital of the world.

REELated:

Wildfires threaten to accelerate Los Angeles exodus

production
(Fox backlot)

The heart of the entertainment industry is at a crossroads. With productions increasingly moving out of Los Angeles and overseas, local film and TV workers, small businesses, and the city’s economy are facing mounting challenges. The devastation caused by the Eaton, Hughes, and Palisades wildfires has only worsened the situation, threatening LA’s standing as the world’s premier hub for film and television production. In response, a grassroots initiative known as #StayInLA has emerged, aiming to revitalize Los Angeles’s production industry and ensure a stable future for the city’s creative workforce.

The movement is calling on government officials, studios, and streaming platforms to take immediate action to keep productions local and support those whose livelihoods depend on the industry.

Led by CA UNITED Founder and President Wes Bailey, Co-President, Pamala Buzick Kim, and Vice-President Marie Dunaway, the organization partnered with a group of filmmakers and showrunners—including Sarah Adina Smith, Nick Antosca, Julie Plec, Michael Sucsy, and Alex Winter—to launch #StayinLA, recognizing the existential threat this crisis poses to our creative community and the city at large.

“To keep productions in LA, we must remain competitive at both the state and international level. Without immediate action, productions will continue to leave for states and countries offering stronger incentives, taking thousands of jobs and billions in economic activity with them,” Kim noted to Reel 360 News.

A Call for Increased Tax Incentives and Studio Commitments

At the core of the #StayInLA movement is a proposal to uncap tax incentives for productions filming in Los Angeles County for the next three years. This measure would be part of a broader disaster relief effort, recognizing the financial strain placed on the city due to recent wildfires and the ongoing production exodus.

The movement is also urging major studios and streaming services to pledge at least a 10% increase in local productions over the next three years, demonstrating a long-term investment in LA’s workforce. By incentivizing production to stay in LA, advocates believe the city can rebuild itself while maintaining its historic status as the entertainment capital of the world.

However, Kim doesn’t want to stop there. She wants to include the advertising industry and post-production in the tax incentives as well. “Crucially, we must also include commercials and post-production in tax incentive expansions to fully heal our declining industry and rebuild Los Angeles. These sectors are integral to our production ecosystem, generating thousands of jobs and sustaining the small businesses that rely on them. Without their inclusion, we risk further fragmentation of an already struggling industry.”

She added, “By advocating for increased tax incentives across all production sectors, #StayinLA aims not only to retain existing productions but also to attract new projects, ensuring that thousands of industry workers and local businesses continue to thrive.”

Governor Gavin Newsom has already proposed increasing California’s annual film and TV tax incentive to $750 million, a move the movement strongly supports. However, #StayInLA argues that a targeted incentive specific to Los Angeles County is necessary to ensure the city remains a viable home for film and TV workers.

“The fires remind us that we are nothing without each other,” says Sarah Adina Smith, who conceived the plan and organized the petition with fellow filmmaker Alexandra Pechman. “Los Angeles is like no place else on Earth because of the people who live here — but they can’t afford to stay and rebuild without jobs.”

The two filmmakers worked with approximately 30 industry professionals, including Nick Antosca, Julie Plec, Michael Sucsy, and Alex Winter, in collaboration with CA UNITED, a group dedicated to keeping film and TV productions in California.

Production in LA at a Critical Low

Despite an uptick in production in the last quarter of 2024, FilmLA, which coordinates film permits in the city, reported a 5.6% decline in production compared to the previous year. More alarmingly, 2024 was the second least productive year on record—the only lower year being 2020, when COVID-19 shut down most productions.

“I’ve been a proud Angeleno for most of my adult life and have rarely been able to film in my hometown with the highly skilled crew that lives here,” says Alex Winter, best known for starring in the Bill & Ted films. “My latest feature film was just shot and posted in Canada. Their robust rebate was the only way to make our budget work.”

The Economic Ripple Effect of Film and TV Production

Keeping production in Los Angeles is about more than just keeping actors and directors employed—it has a massive economic impact on the city.

According to the California Production Coalition, an average location shoot generates:

  • $670,000 in economic activity per day
  • 1,500 local jobs per day
  • $24.40 in new economic activity for every $1 spent on production incentives
  • $8.60 in wages and labor income
  • $16.14 in increased GDP

Beyond direct employment, every sector benefits when production stays in LA—from restaurants and retail to salons, hospitality, and real estate. A thriving entertainment industry uplifts the entire city, ensuring that local businesses remain open and that families can afford to stay in their homes.

Industry and Union Support for #StayInLA

The #StayInLA campaign has already garnered significant support from industry organizations. The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839, and other unions representing thousands of film and TV workers are advocating for the initiative, urging lawmakers and studios to prioritize local jobs over tax breaks in other states and countries.

The petition has drawn the support of some of the industry’s most influential voices, including Rian Johnson, Bette Midler, Patty Jenkins, Joey King, Zooey Deschanel, Joshua Jackson, Olivia Wilde, Lilly Wachowski, Connie Britton, Keanu Reeves and Sian Heder—demonstrating the urgency of this issue.

How to Get Involved with #StayinLA

For those who want to support the movement, the #StayInLA petition is now live at StayInLA.org. By signing, individuals can advocate for policies that will keep jobs in LA, stimulate local businesses, and preserve the city’s place as the entertainment capital of the world.

REELated:

Wildfires threaten to accelerate Los Angeles exodus

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