Even before the L.A. fires, Hollywood jobs were hard to find

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Posted on 01/16/2025 2:03:53 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum

• The historic Los Angeles fires dealt another blow to local film crews who were already struggling to find work.
• Motion picture industry payrolls averaged around 100,000 last year through November, down almost 25% from pre-pandemic levels, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• The number of film shoot days last year was the second-lowest observed by FilmLA, as the region struggled to rebound from strikes, outsourcing and technological change.

As if Hollywood didn’t have enough trouble getting back on its feet, the Los Angeles wildfires suspended filming, destroyed homes of stars and crews alike and even threatened the landmark Hollywood sign that towers over the city.

The devastation hit as local film and TV industry workers were already struggling to adjust to vast technological, financial and global changes that have severely reduced local production activity and eliminated thousands of jobs that may never come back.

New data examined by The Times shows that a number of jobs in L.A.’s film and TV business has barely budged since the strike by actors and writers ended in fall 2023.

And with slower-than-hoped for recovery from the strikes, combined with continuing runaway production and industry contraction, on-location filming in the L.A. region fell 5.6% last year from 2023, FilmLA said Wednesday. The number of film shoot days last year totaled just 23,480, which was the second-lowest observed by FilmLA, which handles film permits for the region. The other was in 2020 when the COVID-19 outbreak disrupted production.

“As we await signs of continuing business growth in 2025, it is important we recognize that no aspect of life in Greater Los Angeles is unaffected by recent fire events and the heartbreaking loss of lives, homes, businesses and cherished community spaces,” FilmLA President Paul Audley said in a statement. “Many who participate in the region’s...”

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...

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