Karen Bass: Hollywood’s Comeback Starts with LA Production

Los Angeles is no longer losing film and TV production to Georgia, New Mexico, or Canada. After years of steep declines, local studios, crew members, and unions are noticing a shift—projects are returning, soundstages are filling, and tax incentives are finally working as intended. At the center of this turnaround stands Mayor Karen Bass, who’s staking part of her legacy on reviving the city’s entertainment infrastructure.

Her message is clear: Hollywood is turning a corner, and Los Angeles is reclaiming its role as the nation’s production capital.

The Crisis That Preceded the Comeback For over a decade, California’s film and TV industry hemorrhaged work. Between 2014 and 2023, productions left in droves, drawn by aggressive tax credits in states like Georgia, which offered up to 30% rebates with fewer restrictions. By 2022, only 16% of scripted TV shows were filmed in California—down from 55% in 2010.

Local crews faced irregular work, rental houses downsized, and support businesses shuttered. The ripple effect reached neighborhoods dependent on catering, transportation, and set construction.

“The issue wasn’t talent or infrastructure,” says David Hernandez, a veteran location manager in Burbank. “It was math. A Georgia shoot with a $5 million budget could get $1.5 million back. In California, the same show might get $500,000—if it qualified. That gap killed local jobs.”

How the LA Production Subsidy Overhaul Changed the Game

In 2023, California lawmakers expanded the Film & Television Tax Credit Program to $1.65 billion over five years, increasing the cap from $330 million annually. The program now prioritizes projects that employ California residents, film in underserved regions, and hire from underrepresented communities.

Mayor Bass pushed for additional municipal-level support, including streamlined permitting, zoning adjustments for soundstage development, and partnerships with unions to fast-track workforce training.

Key changes under the new framework: - Increased credit percentages: From 15–20% up to 25% for productions filming in “qualified zones” like South LA, Pacoima, or Compton. - Bonus incentives: Extra 5% for hiring above a threshold of local crew and cast. - Faster approval timelines: Applications now processed in under 60 days, down from 6+ months. - Support for indie films: A dedicated $50 million tier for projects with budgets under $25 million.

“We’re not just chasing studios,” Bass said at a Downtown LA press event in early 2024. “We’re building an ecosystem where production isn’t just viable—it’s preferable—right here.”

Early Wins: What’s Actually Coming Back to LA

Data from FilmLA confirms the momentum. In the first half of the year, filming days in LA County increased by 18% year-over-year—the first sustained growth since 2019. More telling: high-budget streaming series and feature films are returning.

Recent productions greenlit with incentive support: - “Echo Division” (Netflix): A sci-fi drama relocating from Vancouver; using stages at Warner Bros. in Burbank. Estimated local spend: $78 million. - “South of Sunset” (Apple TV+): A crime series filming in Inglewood and Leimert Park, with 72% of crew hired locally. - “Rise: The Compton Project”: A limited series spotlighting Black entrepreneurship, receiving the “equity bonus” for hiring from community pipelines.

Independent films are also benefiting. “We shot our $4.2 million thriller in Boyle Heights thanks to the zone credit,” says director Marissa Chen. “The $1.1 million incentive covered nearly all our below-the-line labor. Without it, we’d have gone to New Mexico.”

Why Subsidies Alone Aren’t Enough—And What LA Is Doing Differently

Other states offer generous rebates, but Los Angeles is combining incentives with infrastructure and workforce development—creating a model other cities may soon copy.

Permitting Reform Accelerates Shoots Under Bass’s administration, FilmLA implemented a digital permitting dashboard, cutting approval time for city shoots from weeks to days. Weekend shoots in high-traffic areas now get conditional approval within 72 hours.

Workforce Reinvestment Through the LA Film Crew Initiative, the city partnered with IATSE Local 728 and community colleges to train over 1,200 new technicians in lighting, grip, and set safety—many from historically excluded neighborhoods.

“Before, you needed a connection to get hired,” says Jasmine Reed, a recent graduate placed on a Hulu series. “Now there’s a pipeline. My class had 35 people—28 are currently working.”

Soundstage Expansion in Underserved Areas Zoning changes have unlocked development in industrial zones of South LA and Wilmington. Three new studio complexes are under construction, promising 1.2 million square feet of stage space by 2025.

The Industry’s Cautious Optimism

Despite progress, veterans warn against overconfidence. “Incentives help, but they’re not magic,” says veteran producer Rick Talbott. “If Georgia extends its program or Texas sweetens the pot, we could lose ground fast.”

Others cite lingering pain points: - Housing for crews: Rising rents make it hard for freelance workers to live near sets. - Traffic and logistics: Downtown shoots still face delays from congestion and parking disputes. - Competition from virtual production: Some studios prefer LED-wall stages in Albuquerque or Atlanta, reducing location needs.

Still, union leaders see momentum. “We went from funerals to job fairs,” says Teresa Lopez, business agent for Teamsters Local 399. “Two years ago, I was helping members file for unemployment. Now, we’re scrambling to staff three new shows.”

What This Means for Creators and Crews For independent filmmakers, the expanded incentive tiers mean LA is once again a realistic base. Projects under $25 million can apply for credits without competing against blockbusters.

For crews, the return of work is transforming lives. “I drove for Uber for two years during the pandemic,” says grip Carlos Mendez. “Now I’m on a Marvel spin-off, working five-day weeks with benefits. It’s not just a paycheck—it’s stability.”

Producers benefit from proximity. “We saved $300,000 on travel and lodging by filming in LA instead of Atlanta,” says showrunner Lena Park. “That’s money we put into VFX and music.”

The Road Ahead: Can LA Sustain the Momentum?

Mayor Bass’s vision extends beyond tax breaks. She’s advocating for a statewide “entertainment reinvestment district,” where a portion of tourism and hospitality taxes funds ongoing production support.

There’s also talk of a “California Content Standard”—a requirement that state-subsidized projects reflect the state’s diversity in front of and behind the camera.

But the real test is long-term stability. “We don’t need a blip,” says FilmLA CEO Amy Lemisch. “We need a sustained production base that doesn’t rise and fall with the next legislative session.”

Actionable Steps for Filmmakers Leveraging the LA Revival

If you're considering filming in Los Angeles, here’s how to make the most of the current momentum:

1. Apply early for tax credits: The program caps out quickly. Submit pre-application materials at least 90 days before your planned start date.
2. Leverage qualified zones: Filming in South LA, the San Fernando Valley, or Harbor Area? You may qualify for bonus credits.
3. Tap workforce programs: Partner with hiring pipelines like the LA Film Crew Initiative to meet local hiring thresholds and strengthen your application.
4. Use the FilmLA portal: Secure permits, check shoot schedules, and access location databases in one system.
5. Engage community stakeholders: Neighborhood councils can fast-track approvals if you communicate early and address concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mayor Karen Bass’s role in boosting LA film production? She championed municipal support for California’s expanded tax credit program, accelerated permitting, and funded workforce development to make LA more competitive.

How do California’s film tax credits work? Qualified productions receive rebates of 15–25% on qualified in-state spending, with bonuses for hiring local crews and filming in designated zones.

Are independent films eligible for incentives? Yes—there’s a dedicated $50 million annual pool for projects with budgets under $25 million.

Which areas in LA qualify for bonus incentives? Neighborhoods like South LA, Compton, Pacoima, and Wilmington are designated “qualified production zones” that offer additional credit percentages.

How has production volume changed in LA recently? Filming days increased by 18% in the first half of the year, marking the first sustained growth since 2019.

Can out-of-state productions apply for California credits? Yes, if they meet spending and employment requirements—many recent recipients are streaming series relocating from Canada or Georgia.

What’s the biggest challenge facing LA’s production rebound? Competition from other states’ incentives and the ongoing need for affordable housing and infrastructure to support crew and equipment.