L.A. Filming Declines, But State Investments Aim to Revive Production

FilmLA reports that on-location filming in Los Angeles County dropped 13.2% from July through September compared to the same period last year. This slowdown matters for local property managers and service providers, as fewer productions can mean fewer site rentals, parking agreements, and vendor contracts.
State leaders hope that California’s expanded $750 million film and TV tax credit program will help turn things around and bring more production back to the region.
What You Need to Know
Between July and September, the Los Angeles area logged 4,380 shoot days, down from 5,048 the year before. While filming has continued to decline, there are early signs of progress following Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of Assembly Bill 1138 in July.
AB 1138 more than doubled funding for California’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program—from $330 million to $750 million—and aims to attract more productions to stay in-state.
So far, 22 projects have received approval under the expanded program, including 18 television series that plan to film in Los Angeles before the end of the year.
Recent FilmLA data shows mixed trends across production categories:
-
Feature films saw a small increase in shoot days
-
Television projects dropped sharply, mainly due to fewer reality shows
-
Commercial shoots were down nearly 18%, with no state incentives available
-
Short-form, online, and still-photo shoots declined by about 10%
FilmLA officials say it may take time for new incentive-backed projects to appear in production data but remain optimistic about a rebound.
How It Impacts You
For commercial real estate professionals—especially property managers and service vendors—filming activity generates valuable short-term revenue and local economic growth. Fewer filming days can result in:
-
Less demand for property use and filming permits
-
Reduced income from parking and staging areas
-
Fewer service opportunities for security, cleaning, and logistics support
However, the expanded tax credit program could spark new opportunities. As projects begin under AB 1138, property owners may see renewed demand for film-friendly spaces like office buildings, industrial properties, and mixed-use developments.
Additionally, FilmLA’s ongoing efforts to streamline the permitting process could make it easier for property managers to list and lease their spaces for production use.
Stay Connected
Although this summer saw slower filming activity, the months ahead could bring renewed interest as California ramps up its investment in the entertainment industry.
Stay connected to BOMA on the Frontline for more updates on policies and trends affecting the commercial real estate community.