These are the sparkling days in Hollywood. Award season, red carpet, glamour… But the reality of Los Angeles, the city that hosts most of the film and television company studios and payroll, is very different and not particularly a celebration. There is no work. At least that’s rare. And now, things are getting worse as wildfires have been raging for weeks. So, California is beginning to lose its job and population as people are seeking futures elsewhere. This is a decision decided due to this widespread loss.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says employment is at the lowest level in 30 years, but the situation is also complicated and long-lasting. The lack of work is not only a general topic of conversation, but it is beginning to advocate for victims. The Los Angeles Times (which created certain content on financial and medical assistance) has already spoken about suicide. Deadline for specialized media on systematic mental health issues. The cause was multiple, initially a double strike by the actor and screenwriter in late 2023. This has nearly half a decrease in shooting compared to the same period in 2022. Los Angeles City and County Film Bureau.
The strike ended at the end of 2023, which may seem long ago now, but the production was already pending and it took some time to recover. Furthermore, collective bargaining agreements have improved. This is advantageous for workers, but not so expensive for large production companies, platforms and entertainment companies. Not only is there fewer series commissioned today, but fewer series are run due to the fewer episodes. According to Filmla, the first three quarters of 2024 saw a slight increase in the last quarter (6.2%) of filming for the city’s series and films. Last year, the lowest level since the pandemic was 5,800, at just 5,800. On average, 31.3% fewer movies have been shot in town than in the past five years. This meant that large jobs were lost all over the board, from makeup artists and producers to stuntmen, studmen and studio executives, according to data from the California Department of Employment.
Additionally, California appears to be less competitive than other states that see Goldmine and provide more aid to productions. It offers $330 million in tax benefits per year, but New York offers $700 million and offers others like Georgia as a key point in filming. – Therefore, the focus of many workers’ migration: among the filming of the series is sharp objects, Ozarks, and Stranger Things – no caps. It doesn’t take into consideration other countries that encourage photography, such as Canada, which is nearby, cheap, offers stunning scenery and better conditions. California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a few months ago that doubled the film’s tax benefits. Currently, the organization called Stay in LA is trying to eliminate taxes for at least three years. They claim that for every dollar invested, $24.40 is created with “new economic activity of local businesses.” It was launched in mid-January and has already collected signatures from over 19,500 industry members and Californians, including Keanu Reeves, Olivia Wilde and Bette Midler.
Many Entertainment Workers’ Motto – Professionals who are generally qualified and well-paid for years, but who work on a temporary and limited basis survive until 25 years. But the New Year hasn’t started in the best way. Several wildfires, especially the flames of Eton and Palisades, killed 28 people and destroyed thousands of homes. Filming was suspended on the worst day of the fire due to poor air quality, difficulty in travel, bad weather and respect for those who lost everything. Landscapes are also changing, with resources being more limited, from water to the security and firefighters needed on set.
Hollywood is now in disarray for a year and a half, but the situation shows no signs of improvement. Last August, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said he was considering new incentives for an industry that is “critical to economic vitality” in the region to employ more than 680,000 people and generate $115 billion. Ta. Now, like many others, these promised funds could be placed for better use. And entertainment industry workers need to survive again in 2025.
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