
A new campaign to increase film production in L.A. is steadily gaining support from Hollywood A-listers. The “Stay in LA” campaign aims to boost film production by encouraging companies to stay or return to the L.A. area. Film stars, writers, and producers are calling for new incentives to bolster filming in Los Angeles and offer emergency relief for creative production industries and communities especially after the wildfires. Almost 17,000 L.A. residents have signed the “Stay in LA” petition with the goal to help aid recovery for those that lost their homes and businesses in the Eaton, Hughes, and Palisades Fires.
Many famous actors, producers, and directors have signed the petition such as:
- Keanu Reeves
- Alison Brie
- Bette Midler
- LeVar Burton
- Abbi Jacobson
- Sarah Michelle Gellar
- Ginnifer Goodwin
- Kyra Sedgwick
- Joshua Jackson
- Jason Alexander
- Patty Jenkins
- Lilly Wachowski
- Noah Wyle
- Zooey Deschanel
- Gia Coppola
Many who work in film production in California are deeply concerned about the state of the industry after the devastating wildfires. The “Stay in LA” campaign website states, “We need a flood of new work to help our beloved city rebuild itself and ensure LA’s future viability as a place where craftspeople, film workers, and businesses thrive. When production stays in LA, every sector benefits: restaurants, retail, salons, hospitality, and beyond. We must restore our city’s vibrant creative industry and lift the entire city of LA up in the process.”
The “Stay in LA” campaign proposes “uncapping the tax incentive for productions that shoot in LA county for the next 3-years as part of the overall disaster relief effort.” Additionally, they urge for “studios and streamers to pledge at least 10% more production in LA over the next 3-years– demonstrating their dedication to the city’s recovery and their long-term investment in LA’s workforce.”
Film production has always been lucrative for L.A. since “the average location shoot adds $670,000 and 1,500 jobs a day,” according to the CA Production Coalition. California Governor Gavin Newsom has already proposed “increasing California’s film and TV tax incentive to $750m annually.” But the campaign urges further action as film production continues to move to other states and countries with larger tax incentives.
The campaign is joined by two collaborators, CA United and THE UNION SOLIDARITY COALITION. CA United is “a grassroots coalition of over 5,000 engaged California residents.” And THE UNION SOLIDARITY COALITION was founded by “writer/directors who were moved to connect with crew affected by the 2023 WGA strike.”
“Stay in LA” says “there’s no place like home.” You can read more about the campaign on #StayinLA’s website here. And you can sign your name to the #StayinLA petition here.