Hollywood Production Drifts Abroad as LA Costs Rise

Hollywood’s status as the global hub for film and TV is being tested as production exits Los Angeles due to higher costs, labor rules, and permitting hurdles. Global and domestic competitors—Britain, Canada, Romania, and U.S. states like Georgia—offer more generous incentives, prompting a long-running shift in where movies and shows are made. Lawmakers are weighing federal subsidies to keep U.S. projects from moving overseas, while California struggles to modernize its incentives and reduce costs in a bid to preserve its industry. Despite the pressures, LA remains the largest production center, with some high-profile shows still choosing to shoot there when talent and arrangements justify the expense.