Los Angeles production volume fell slightly in the second quarter of 2026, as an increase in state tax incentives has failed to overcome industry headwinds.
Shoot days for TV, film and commercials dropped by 3.1% compared to the previous quarter, according to FilmLA, which tracks location permit data for the L.A. region. Films and commercials both dropped, offsetting an increase in TV production for the quarter — though all three categories remain well below historic levels.
California more than doubled its support for film and TV production last year in response to the post-strike slump. That increase started to show an effect earlier this year, when production volume ticked up somewhat from the last quarter of 2025, leading to hopes that the industry had “turned a corner.” But while more projects are receiving state subsidies, the overall trend is still down.
The report had a few bright spots, including an increase in production days for reality television, after a long downward slide. TV dramas were also up for the second quarter in a row, while comedy was down. (Comedies are not fully captured by the location report, as most comedy production takes place on soundstages.) Overall TV production was up about 34% from the prior quarter, though down from the same period in 2025, and down almost 50% from the five-year average.
