Takeaways:
- On-location filming in Los Angeles is slowly rebounding after last year’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
- FilmLA reports a historic low in filming activity — even lower than early pandemic levels.
- Industry professionals and businesses face ongoing financial challenges despite the official end of the strikes.
- Dozens of TV shows are scheduled to begin filming soon, offering hope for actors and crew.
Production in Los Angeles Is Back — But Not at Full Speed Yet
After months of standstill due to the dual WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023, the entertainment industry in Los Angeles is finally showing signs of life. Filming has officially resumed, but the rebound is slower than expected, leaving many in the industry waiting for a full recovery.
According to the latest report from FilmLA — the nonprofit agency responsible for issuing film permits across Los Angeles — there were 5,520 filming days between October and December 2024. That’s up slightly from the previous quarter, but still down by more than 3,000 days compared to the same period in 2022, which saw over 8,600 shoot days.
“The Lowest We’ve Seen in Modern Times”
FilmLA President Paul Audley reflected on the ongoing struggle, noting that the decline in production activity was deeper and more sustained than even during the COVID-19 shutdowns.
“The pandemic year aside, we have to look very far back — farther back than permit records allow — to find a time when production levels stayed so low, for so long,” Audley said.
Although the WGA strike ended in September and SAG-AFTRA followed in December, the late timing meant that the fourth quarter was largely lost for production. As a result, permit counts dropped to near-historic lows, impacting thousands of workers and vendors who rely on the film industry.
Behind-the-Scenes Businesses Still Struggling
Businesses like History For Hire, a longtime North Hollywood prop house, have been deeply affected. Co-owner Pam Elyea shared that while the company is stable, the economic fallout is real.
“It may have been a seven-month strike, but it may take two to three years to dig out from it,” Elyea said.
Even seasoned professionals who weathered the 2008 writers’ strike say this recovery is slower and more complex. While cash reserves have helped some businesses survive, many report that funds once allocated for growth have been depleted.
“You incur these debts… and the cost of living goes up,” Elyea said. “It does deplete funds that you were going to use to grow your business.”
Crew and Talent Still Waiting for Greenlights
While big-budget shows and films gear up for production, many smaller interim jobs — the lifeblood for working actors and crew — haven’t yet returned.
“I have a lot of fabulous clients that haven’t found a show yet,” Elyea noted. “They need to work now.”
Without commercial shoots, low-budget pilots, or short-term gigs, many freelancers and creatives are left in limbo, unsure when the industry will stabilize.
Commercials and Unscripted Shows Less Affected
One bright spot: commercials and unscripted television were not impacted by last year’s strikes and only saw a modest 10% decline in activity. That’s far less than the hit taken by scripted productions, which ground to a halt for most of 2023.
What Comes Next? Q1 Will Be the Industry’s Litmus Test
Industry experts like Audley suggest that the first quarter of 2025 (January through March) will be critical for measuring the real trajectory of the recovery.
“We want a full quarter… to see what things really look like when everything settles out,” Audley told LAist.
The good news? Dozens of new television productions are expected to begin filming by the end of this month. For aspiring actors and crew, this could mean an influx of casting calls and job postings as production ramps up again.
Will Industry Workers Stick Around?
Even with a production comeback on the horizon, there’s lingering uncertainty. Some workers are questioning the long-term sustainability of a career in film and TV after enduring months of financial hardship and professional instability.
“I’m hoping my staff wants to continue,” Elyea said. “But if you were to ask them, ‘Do you want to be doing this in 15, 20 years?’ I think their concern would be it’s such an unpredictable business.”
What This Means for You
For actors, crew members, and production professionals looking to book jobs in 2025, now is the time to prepare. As productions restart, casting opportunities will rise — but competition will be fierce.
- Update your headshots and resumes.
- Sharpen your self-tape skills.
- Stay active on casting platforms like Project Casting.
By staying ready, you can seize new opportunities as the industry recovers.
Want to work on upcoming productions in Los Angeles?
Visit ProjectCasting.com for the latest casting calls, crew jobs, and industry updates.
