While overall film production grew by 6.2% in the fourth quarter of 2024, data showed an overall 5.6% decrease compared to 2023 as the industry continues to recover from ongoing challenges, officials said Wednesday.
The L.A. region had a total of 23,480 shoot days in 2024 compared to 24,873 in 2023, according to FilmLA, a film office for the city and county of Los Angeles, as well as other local jurisdictions.
The office published the data as part of its 2024 On-Location Production Report, which defines a shoot day as one crew’s permission to film at one or more defined locations during any 24-hour period.
Overall production in the Greater Los Angeles region increased by 6.2% from October through December 2024 with 5,860 shoot days and gains across all categories except one. Reality TV continued to lag behind and experienced its ninth consecutive quarter of year-over-year decline.
Production in 2024 fell behind 2023 levels as a result of combined effects from runaway production, industry contraction and “slower-than-hoped-for post-strike” recovery, according to the film office.
Officials said 2024 became the second least productive year, ahead of only 2020 when production was severely disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The report showed reality TV production decreased by 45.7% in the fourth quarter to 774 shoot days, and finished the year down by 45.9% to 3,905 shoot days.
Feature film and television drama categories had an increase in production as a result of independent studio activity, FilmLA noted.
Feature film production increased by 82.4% in the fourth quarter to 589 shoot days, and increased by 18.8% overall in 2024. The film office cited the state’s Film and Television Tax Credit for driving 19.2% of quarterly category activity.
Scripted television drama production increased to 528 shoot days in the fourth quarter compared to 2023 figures. The film tax credit helped producers and sustained 19.5% of all on-location TV drama production.
Commercial production increased in the fourth quarter by 2.3%, but annual production levels were flat with a small 1.7% decrease year-over-year.
The “other” category, such as still photography, student films, documentaries, music and industrial videos, increased by 6.1% to 2,912 shoot days in the final quarter of 2024. Annual figures in this category remained close to 2023 data.
FilmLA expects the new year to be a good one for the entertainment industry as Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for an expansion of the film tax credit program from $330 million to $750 million per year.
“As we await signs of continuing business growth in 2025, it is important that 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,” Paul Audley, president of FilmLA, said in a statement.
“Many who participate in the region’s entertainment economy are directly affected by this tragedy; and many places beloved by nationwide audiences may never return to the screen,” he added.