The Golden Age of Hollywood is Shifting: Why L.A. is Losing Its Grip on the Film Industry
The iconic hills of Los Angeles, once synonymous with the glitz and glamour of filmmaking, are witnessing a quiet exodus. A recent report from FilmLA, a nonprofit tracking production in the greater Los Angeles area, reveals a startling trend: the number of scripted projects filmed in L.A. is steadily declining, while the U.K. is experiencing a dramatic surge. But here's where it gets controversial: is this a temporary blip or a sign of a permanent shift in the global film industry?
Last year, only 157 scripted projects were filmed in L.A., a 14.2% drop compared to 2023. This decline isn't just a local issue; it reflects a broader industry trend. The total number of scripted projects released in 2024 plummeted to 857, a 13.4% decrease from the previous year. So, what's causing this downturn? The dual writers' and actors' strikes of 2023 played a significant role, halting production and forcing studios to tighten their belts after overspending on content for streaming platforms. And this is the part most people miss: even L.A.'s market share of scripted projects is shrinking. In 2024, the region accounted for just 18.3% of these projects, down from 18.5% in 2023 and a staggering 21.9% in 2022.
Philip Sokoloski, Vice President of Communications at FilmLA, sums it up bluntly: “There are far fewer film projects being made in Los Angeles than there were in the recent past.” While L.A. still leads in sheer numbers, the U.K. is rapidly closing the gap. Last year, the U.K. saw a 77.2% increase in scripted TV series, with 39 projects filmed—a stark contrast to popular filming locales like Georgia, New York, and Ontario, which all experienced declines.
The U.K.'s rise isn't limited to TV series. Streaming series (up 81.3%), cable shows (up 66.7%), and streaming movies (up 23.1%) all saw significant growth. However, its share of theatrical movies dropped by 38.5%. Meanwhile, L.A. struggled across most categories, with declines in streaming series (down 24.5%), cable shows (down 57.7%), and broadcast shows (down 3.3%). The only bright spots were theatrical release movies (up 19%) and streaming movies (up 70.6%).
