Silent Screen: Hollywood’s Move to Boost Los Angeles Productions Post-Wildfires
Getty Images Hollywood has earned the nickname Tinseltown as the heart of the global entertainment industry. However, in recent years, production crews have found filming in Atlanta, London, Toronto or Sydney to be more cost-effective than staying in LA due to cheaper labor and better tax breaks.
The devastating wildfires that killed at least 29 people and destroyed thousands of homes have only further strained the city’s economy. Many local residents are now calling for increased incentives to bring back Hollywood’s golden age, but some believe it may be too late.
Production designer Matthew Ferraro is one such resident who has been affected by the fires. He says that restoring Hollywood to its former glory is “wishful thinking” and likens the decline of production jobs in Los Angeles to the fall of Detroit’s automotive industry, which left much of the city desolate and impoverished.
However, not all residents are ready to give up on their dreams of making it big in Hollywood. Comedian Jamie Morse was just starting out her career when she evacuated from Topanga Canyon with her dog during the fires. She says that despite the timing, she believes this is a sign that she’s meant to stay and make it in LA.
While some are calling for increased tax breaks and incentives to bring back Hollywood’s glory days, others believe it may be too late due to factors such as the declining value of the US dollar and rising competition from other countries with more favorable production environments.
In an effort to boost the local economy, California Governor Jerry Brown has proposed a new $750 million tax incentive program for Hollywood productions. However, this proposal still needs approval from the state legislature before it can become law.
Despite these challenges, many residents in Los Angeles remain hopeful that their city will continue to be a hub of creativity and entertainment for years to come. Only time will tell if they are right or not.
