Wildfires in Los Angeles have devastated communities and disrupted production schedules, with many iconic filming locations destroyed and workers displaced. The destruction, including the loss of over 1,000 buildings and significant damage in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena, has caused an estimated $250 billion in damages, severely impacting Hollywood’s entertainment industry.
Colleen Bell, executive director of the California Film Commission, acknowledged the setback, saying, “This is absolutely a setback. I’m sure there are some people in the entertainment sector who feel like this might be the last straw.” The fires came on top of existing challenges, including the pandemic and recent strikes that already left many struggling.
Amy Baer, executive producer of The Apprentice, expressed concerns about the future, saying, “People are worried that the industry as we know it isn’t going to be around in five or ten years, and that’s really sad.” However, Bell remains optimistic, highlighting the strength of the L.A. community and its ability to rebuild.
To help revive the industry, location manager Danny Finn suggests temporarily halting permit fees as a way to ease the burden on productions. Additionally, Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed expanding the state’s film incentive from $330 million to $700 million annually. The Motion Picture Association is advocating for further improvements to make California’s incentives more competitive with other states.
Despite the increased costs of shooting in L.A., industry professionals like Mike Schur and Dan Fogelman emphasize the unique advantages of filming in the city. “The happiest sets are the sets where people are home,” said Schur, highlighting the importance of proximity to family and community. Fogelman and actor Sterling K. Brown also pushed for filming their Hulu series Paradise in L.A., underscoring the significance of location for creative professionals.
Although the fires caused a dramatic drop in permit applications by 80% in the first week, the industry is slowly bouncing back. Productions such as Hacks resumed filming after brief interruptions, and location managers remain confident that L.A. will continue to be a prime location for film and television.
As the city rebuilds, the entertainment industry is focused on ensuring that L.A. remains a global hub for creativity and production, with efforts underway to provide incentives and support for the community.