The ongoing concern among Hollywood production workers about keeping film and TV sets in Los Angeles has intensified, especially as productions shift to other states or even abroad. This situation has been labeled an “already bad situation” that the devastating Los Angeles wildfires have made “deeply troubling,” according to the organizers of the “Stay in L.A.” petition.
Independent filmmaker Sarah Adina Smith, who has only filmed in L.A. twice during her career, expressed the industry’s worries. “We’ve been really worried about cast and crew not being able to afford to live here anymore. With the devastating fires, we were all discussing how we could help L.A. rebuild, and this issue became top of mind. It’s become an existential issue,” she stated in an interview with TheWrap.
Smith collaborated with screenwriter and director Alexandra Pechman, who highlighted the harsh reality that while producers are eager to shoot in Los Angeles, they lack a competitive tax credit. “I’ve overseen budgets for Hungary, Croatia, Italy, and Malta,” Pechman explained. “These locations offer up to 40%, while we’re only providing 25% for movies and 20% for TV productions. This disparity has opened my eyes to why many above-the-line workers have left, along with friends who work below-the-line who aren’t finding jobs here anymore.”
In partnership with CA United and the Union Solidarity Coalition (TUSC), the “Stay in L.A.” petition urges California politicians to uncap the tax incentive for productions filming in Los Angeles County for the next three years. It also calls for studios and streaming platforms to pledge at least a 10% increase in production in L.A. over the same period. The organizers praised Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal to boost California’s film and TV tax incentive to $750 million annually, urging the legislature to pass this proposal swiftly.
Since its launch less than a week ago, the petition has garnered support from over 15,000 industry workers, including prominent figures like Keanu Reeves, Patty Jenkins, Cord Jefferson, Rian Johnson, Noah Wyle, Jason Reitman, Joshua Jackson, and Alison Brie.
Smith and Pechman discussed how the tragedies of the wildfires have ignited a commitment to keeping jobs in Los Angeles and shared their organizing strategies.
TheWrap: Why do you think this cause has resonated with so many people, including A-list actors and showrunners as well as below-the-line crew?
Smith: The wildfires have been eye-opening for many. A tragedy of this magnitude reminds us that our most valuable resource is each other. The community has united in beautiful ways, wanting to show love for this city, which has sparked much unity on this issue. Before the fires, there was a perception that Hollywood would always remain here because of its many executives and celebrities. However, the true lifeblood of our industry is the craftspeople creating the films, TV shows, commercials, and music videos we enjoy. We are in danger of losing our ancestral home of cinema. It’s unfortunate that such a tragedy is needed to illuminate the suffering across the city, but it offers a wonderful opportunity to unite and take action.
Pechman: Many actors are responding because they prefer not to shoot in places like Bulgaria or South Africa. They want to stay home with their families, especially in the aftermath of this disaster. Many skilled workers, including hair stylists and stunt performers, have left the city. In Atlanta, above-the-line positions are part of the tax credit, providing an incentive for local hiring. This issue resonates emotionally with many.
What are your plans for political and labor organizing? Have you contacted state legislators regarding your request to uncap tax credits?
Smith: We’re still in the early stages. Currently, we’re reaching out to major agencies, unions, studios, and advocacy groups to understand everyone’s stance. Many have been working on this issue long before the fires and we aim to amplify their efforts. Our two main goals are to shift the conversation around tax incentives from a Hollywood elitist issue to one about job creation and reinvestment in the city, and to foster communication among all parties involved to collaboratively solve this issue.
Pechman: Moving forward, we plan to ask for testimonials from a broad range of people, not just from our industry. We’ve seen unexpected sectors, like furniture dealers and florists, supporting our campaign, and we want to hear their stories too.
Have you received any feedback from California politicians or streamers/studios regarding these requests?
Smith: We’re just beginning to make connections in that area. We’ve held off contacting lawmakers until our campaign grows larger, allowing us to present significant numbers, showing that support extends beyond the industry to adjacent sectors. We aim to educate ourselves on existing efforts to ensure we’re bolstering initiatives like Governor Newsom’s budget and focusing on what should be emergency relief for Los Angeles.
What should Hollywood Labor’s response be if studios claim labor costs prevent them from returning, even if tax credits are expanded?
Smith: A crucial point to discuss is universal healthcare. Labor costs are higher here partly because many filming locations have government-provided healthcare, allowing for lower wage costs.
Pechman: We shouldn’t take for granted that Hollywood will always be the movie-making capital of the world. All studios are based in L.A., and we want executives and studios to realize the implications of building huge facilities in Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas. They might wake up one day to find their jobs aren’t in L.A. anymore.
Have other policy points been discussed to encourage productions in California?
Smith: It’s not just about raising the tax incentive but also about its operational aspects. The incentive must be transferable to motivate studios effectively. We also want to include support for short films and independent productions.
Pechman: Other states include above-the-line positions in their incentive programs, but we do not. There are numerous points to address—like permitting processes—and we want to foster discussions on improving our program’s competitiveness and addressing long-standing weaknesses.
Smith: This campaign is driven by the need to raise awareness and shift the narrative around these incentives, highlighting them as tools for job creation and community investment rather than budget drains.
Many studios and streamers committed millions for fire relief, but how would increasing productions in L.A. make a real difference?
Smith: While it’s commendable that they’re donating to fire relief, if they genuinely care about the community, they must increase production here. We’re at risk of losing a vital American industry and many middle-class jobs. It’s crucial to stress that this situation is dire, and if we lose it, it won’t be easy to recover, as we’re losing the craftspeople and artists who can no longer afford to live here without work.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
The post ‘Stay in LA’ Organizers Unpack Crisis as Hollywood Production Goes Elsewhere: ‘What We’re Losing Are the People’ appeared first on TheWrap.
