CALIFORNIA INVESTS, BUT ON-LOCATION FILMING CONTINUES TO DECLINE – WHAT IT MEANS FOR GLOBAL PRODUCTIONS
California Invests, But On-Location Filming Continues to Decline – What It Means for Global Productions
28th of July, 2025.
CALIFORNIA INVESTS, BUT ON-LOCATION FILMING CONTINUES TO DECLINE – WHAT IT MEANS FOR GLOBAL PRODUCTIONS
Key Takeaways:
Despite California’s record-breaking £580M+ investment into its tax credit programme, Los Angeles saw a 6.2% drop in on-location shoot days in Q2 2025 – with feature films down over 21%.
The continuing shortfall in filming availability presents an opportunity for global producers, scouts and location managers to shift more projects to flexible, film-ready international markets like the UK.
Kingsley Living, a Californian film location in LA.
A Record State Investment – and a Production Decline
In July 2025, FilmLA reported a 6.2% year-on-year decrease in permitted shoot days across the Los Angeles region, despite a historic investment by the State of California into its film and television tax credit programme.
The £580M initiative (approx. $750M) – backed by a broad coalition of studios, unions, vendors and lawmakers – aims to revitalise California’s struggling production sector. Among the updates:
Refundable tax credits begin rolling out in 2025–26
Per-project tax caps raised from $100M to $120M
Credit percentage lifted to 35% for qualifying productions
Independent film funding nearly tripled, from $26M to $75M
These changes are welcome and substantial—but the effects are not yet visible on the ground.
Key Stats: Los Angeles, Q2 2025 (FilmLA Data)
Total on-location shoot days: 5,394 (down 6.2% from Q2 2024)
Feature Films: 553 SD (down 21.4%)
Commercials: 692 SD (down 15.3%)
Still photography, short films, online content, music videos: down 17.3%
Only Reality TV and select Drama series showed improvement, but overall TV production is still 32.6% below the five-year average
Even with recent legislative wins, the report highlights that many high-end and commercial productions are still operating at reduced capacity, and some are choosing to shoot elsewhere.
Dusk Modern, a family home film location in LA
The Opportunity for International Productions
While California focuses on long-term recovery, production demand is not slowing—it’s shifting. And international filming destinations like the UK, South Africa and Eastern Europe are seeing increased attention from commercial and scripted content producers.
At Silverstein Locations, we’ve observed a marked increase in:
Inbound requests from US-based production companies
UK location bookings for high-end TV, independent films, and branded content
Demand for properties with full video walkthroughs and fast availability
Producers and location managers are seeking ready-to-shoot locations with experienced owners, and they’re turning to international providers to fill the gap.
Old Hollywood Mansion, an early 2000s styled film location in LA.
For Location Owners: Preparation is Key
As more global shoots explore the UK as a base, location owners have a valuable window of opportunity. The best way to capitalise is to ensure your listing is complete and compelling.
Here’s what’s in demand:
Horizontal ‘hero’ walkthrough videos
Vertical short-form content for social promotion
Drone footage for properties with scale, views or architectural impact
Interview-style clips explaining what makes your location shoot-friendly
If you have content ready to go, send it to us via WeTransfer—labelled by folder (Hero Video / Reels / Interviews). If not, we’ll help guide you through capturing it with a smartphone or professional partner.
Malibu Rustic, a charming film location in California.
Final Word: A Market in Transition
FilmLA’s latest report is both a caution and a call to action. It confirms that, even with hundreds of millions in state incentives, the region's filming output has not yet recovered to pre-strike or pre-pandemic levels. This leaves a window of flexibility and opportunity for global production teams to look elsewhere.
For scouts, producers and directors looking to avoid bottlenecks and access film-ready properties without delay, SL offers a curated, responsive, UK-based platform trusted by professionals across the industry.
