Hollywood Production Continues to Slow
By Movieguide® Contributor
The number of shoot days in 2024 dropped significantly, revealing that production in Hollywood is slowing down.
Shoot days in the period from July to September fell 5% to 5,048, posting the weakest quarter of the year. The total number of shoot days numbers logged below Q3 of 2023, despite last year suffering from the dual strikes.
Compared to last year, there was a 52.7% drop in reality TV, while every other category saw a rise – largely because unscripted TV was able to continue production during the strike. Compared to the five-year average, which is heavily impacted by the pandemic, shooting on TV Drama was down 34.4%, TV Comedy was down 85.7% and TV Pilot was down 46.5%.
The decline in shoot days within Hollywood can be, at least, partially attributed to the blooming production in other states, such as Texas, Georgia and Nevada. With competition heating up, L.A. is finding that tax incentives are more valuable and important than ever.
“California’s film incentive is a proven jobs creator that studies show provides a net positive return on every allocated dollar,” FilmLA president Paul Audley said in a statement. “What the program lacks is funding and eligibility criteria that reflect the outputs of the industry in 2024. The program’s structure and management through the California Film Commission — these are excellent. But just as our competitors continue to innovate, California must do the same.”
In May, for example, Texas allocated $200 million in entertainment grants to allow its budding movie industry to develop. Major shows and movies such as THE CHOSEN, YELLOWSTONE, MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN, and FEAR THE WALKING DEAD have all chosen to shoot in Texas rather than in Hollywood in recent years.
Georgia, meanwhile, has benefitted from major investments from Tyler Perry who has opened an amazing studio in the Atlanta area, which he has poured over $1 billion into. Similarly, Mark Wahlberg has opened a studio in Las Vegas, which has drawn high quality talent because it allows them an easy way out of Hollywood.
With numerous options for places to film across the country, it is no wonder that Hollywood is struggling to draw as many projects. While it still remains the production capital of the world, its absolute monopoly on the entertainment industry has begun to crack.
Movieguide® previously reported:
Texas increased its entertainment grants to $200 million to entice more productions, increase its infrastructure and expand its presence in the lucrative industry.
“We all want this business to be here,” said Paul Jensen, the executive director of the Texas Media Production Alliance, adding, “We have a really strong crew base that wants to work hard and get the job done. And, while we’re enjoying the success of an enhanced incentive program that’s fully funded, we’re starting to see some real changes in the infrastructure to accommodate big productions.”
The state previously introduced a grant program that totaled $45 million but ran out of money before its two-year time period expired. The new program’s $200 million is slated to cover productions that began in September 2023 through August 2025.