On-location filming in Los Angeles has taken a sharp nosedive during the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike, reaching levels not seen since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to FilmLA, the city and county film permit office, the second quarter of 2023 witnessed a staggering 72.8 percent decrease in on-location shooting days for locally produced TV comedies compared to the same period last year, while TV dramas plunged 63.8 percent, and feature films have experienced an 18.9 percent decline in shoot days.
The report includes two months of the WGA strike that began on May 2, but doesn't account for the SAG-AFTRA strike that started on July 14. If these strikes continue, the third-quarter figures will likely be even more grim.
"Greater Los Angeles is the North American epicentre of scripted television production," said FilmLA President Paul Audley in a statement. "Before long, this sector's shutdown will be felt in every corner of the regional economy."
He continued, "Like all others watching with hope from the sidelines, we are eager to see the studios and unions reopen their contract negotiations. Much is at stake for WGA and SAG-AFTRA members, and also for the small business supply chain on which future filming depends."
See FilmLA's full report here.
According to FilmLA, the city and county film permit office, the second quarter of 2023 witnessed a staggering 72.8 percent decrease in on-location shooting days for locally produced TV comedies compared to the same period last year, while TV dramas plunged 63.8 percent, and feature films have experienced an 18.9 percent decline in shoot days.
The report includes two months of the WGA strike that began on May 2, but doesn't account for the SAG-AFTRA strike that started on July 14. If these strikes continue, the third-quarter figures will likely be even more grim.
"Greater Los Angeles is the North American epicentre of scripted television production," said FilmLA President Paul Audley in a statement. "Before long, this sector's shutdown will be felt in every corner of the regional economy."
He continued, "Like all others watching with hope from the sidelines, we are eager to see the studios and unions reopen their contract negotiations. Much is at stake for WGA and SAG-AFTRA members, and also for the small business supply chain on which future filming depends."
See FilmLA's full report here.