Those of us who work in the film business have been screaming for years about the lack of tax credits in California. I still can't explain why the state allowed the entire industry to become gutted before they took their heads out of their proverbial asses and provided meaningful credits. But alas, it's twenty years too late. First we shot in Georgia...then Vancouver...then Eastern Europe and South Africa. They were more than happy to take our money and jobs.
I would love some reporting on what happened behind the scenes in Sacramento. My only guess is they considered it a "rich people's problem" due to the absolute misconception that everyone who lives in LA and works in the business is somehow wealthy. The results have been tragic for many of the everyday workers who rely upon the industry to put food on the table.
In a word, no. The problem is a K-shaped economy combined with collapsing demographics. There just aren’t enough children and young adults with future spending power entering the market to move the industry forward. Some communities may slow the bleeding with support, but there’s no way around the macro picture- or median salaries.
I hated Forest Gump as of the last time I saw it 10 years ago - I wasn’t as quick as JVL to hate it the first time I saw it as a teenager - but there’s no denying it’s an incredibly well made film and I am excited to listen to this episode and read his book.
Staunch is an adjective meaning steadfast, loyal, or firm in principle, often describing a devoted supporter (e.g., "a staunch ally"). It implies unwavering, dependable commitment and can also mean strong, solid, or watertight. It is often confused with stanch, which is the verb used for stopping the flow of a liquid.
It’s been amazing how many locations abroad have been used to film some of the most popular American shows. Vancouver has always had a presence (Stargate SG-1 back in the day among others) but now places like Halifax have become popular spots (3 recent amazing shows From, We Were Liars, The Institute). Combine that with smaller countries like New Zealand offering massive incentives and the US needs to be competitive.
Despite that I don’t think we need a federal tax credit. Since these shows primarily benefit the image and economy of the region they take place and/or film in, leave it to the states to fight it out. Pennsylvania shelled out a lot of money for Mare of Easttown and Task (one of the most underrated shows) and it worked. Hawaii would’ve been the likely location for Lost due to its beauty but having its refundable tax credit made it an easy choice not to film in the Caribbean or South Pacific or other beach island.
There are more shows than ever now. You get amazing new shows across so many platforms constantly. There is still room for filming to be done in America. However, the bigger challenge is AI is already impacting these shows more and more whether directly or indirectly. And that is something that will be almost impossible to stop.
We could really expect that to happen. I no longer watch network news. I have cancelled a bunch of network subscriptions because their owners are disgusting. I am a faithful Bulwark follower and catch other Substackers on Netflix. We are having a great film festival in Watsonville. I can hardly wait to see “The Last Pachuco, Luis Valdez” in May. I am sorry that people are losing jobs.
Thanks for talking about the job situation in Hollywood. I think there's possibly more to it than just shooting in California, though that is a significant part of the problem. But also just the amount of production in general has decreased, because people's viewing habits have changed but also because streamers offer content from different times and eras and it feels limitless to viewers even though there are less shows created. The amount of shows per season, the amount of seasons per show is changing. Cheaper shows like game shows and talkers aren't happening like they used to and that was a lot of people's bread and butter.
Well I'm glad the game shows and talkers aren't happening as much. I've always disliked them. Same for "reality" tv because the real reality is so overwhelming we don't any fake version.
I rather doubt it because it’s more important for us to promote political infighting that keeps us separate and fighting one another, rather than focusing on things we can share and enjoy like good old fashioned TV entertainment.
Those of us who work in the film business have been screaming for years about the lack of tax credits in California. I still can't explain why the state allowed the entire industry to become gutted before they took their heads out of their proverbial asses and provided meaningful credits. But alas, it's twenty years too late. First we shot in Georgia...then Vancouver...then Eastern Europe and South Africa. They were more than happy to take our money and jobs.
I would love some reporting on what happened behind the scenes in Sacramento. My only guess is they considered it a "rich people's problem" due to the absolute misconception that everyone who lives in LA and works in the business is somehow wealthy. The results have been tragic for many of the everyday workers who rely upon the industry to put food on the table.
In a word, no. The problem is a K-shaped economy combined with collapsing demographics. There just aren’t enough children and young adults with future spending power entering the market to move the industry forward. Some communities may slow the bleeding with support, but there’s no way around the macro picture- or median salaries.
I hated Forest Gump as of the last time I saw it 10 years ago - I wasn’t as quick as JVL to hate it the first time I saw it as a teenager - but there’s no denying it’s an incredibly well made film and I am excited to listen to this episode and read his book.
One note on The Pitt: there's still two episodes left of season 2, it didn't wrap last night
Oh it wasn’t? (I’m an episode behind, was working on some bad intel.) Thanks.
Sorry, I replied to the wrong comment.
Staunch is an adjective meaning steadfast, loyal, or firm in principle, often describing a devoted supporter (e.g., "a staunch ally"). It implies unwavering, dependable commitment and can also mean strong, solid, or watertight. It is often confused with stanch, which is the verb used for stopping the flow of a liquid.
Merriam-Webster
Merriam-Webster
It’s been amazing how many locations abroad have been used to film some of the most popular American shows. Vancouver has always had a presence (Stargate SG-1 back in the day among others) but now places like Halifax have become popular spots (3 recent amazing shows From, We Were Liars, The Institute). Combine that with smaller countries like New Zealand offering massive incentives and the US needs to be competitive.
Despite that I don’t think we need a federal tax credit. Since these shows primarily benefit the image and economy of the region they take place and/or film in, leave it to the states to fight it out. Pennsylvania shelled out a lot of money for Mare of Easttown and Task (one of the most underrated shows) and it worked. Hawaii would’ve been the likely location for Lost due to its beauty but having its refundable tax credit made it an easy choice not to film in the Caribbean or South Pacific or other beach island.
There are more shows than ever now. You get amazing new shows across so many platforms constantly. There is still room for filming to be done in America. However, the bigger challenge is AI is already impacting these shows more and more whether directly or indirectly. And that is something that will be almost impossible to stop.
We could really expect that to happen. I no longer watch network news. I have cancelled a bunch of network subscriptions because their owners are disgusting. I am a faithful Bulwark follower and catch other Substackers on Netflix. We are having a great film festival in Watsonville. I can hardly wait to see “The Last Pachuco, Luis Valdez” in May. I am sorry that people are losing jobs.
No one can "staunch" the flow, because that means to be steady, loyal and dependable. You could STANCH it though. And literally...stop the bleeding.
It's funny, we debated this in the Bulwark Slack and our Official Bulwark Style Guide here is "staunch."
They’re wrong. Look it up.
Film LA is engaged in sabotage discouraging film production from shooting in LA unless confined to a stage.
Thanks for talking about the job situation in Hollywood. I think there's possibly more to it than just shooting in California, though that is a significant part of the problem. But also just the amount of production in general has decreased, because people's viewing habits have changed but also because streamers offer content from different times and eras and it feels limitless to viewers even though there are less shows created. The amount of shows per season, the amount of seasons per show is changing. Cheaper shows like game shows and talkers aren't happening like they used to and that was a lot of people's bread and butter.
Well I'm glad the game shows and talkers aren't happening as much. I've always disliked them. Same for "reality" tv because the real reality is so overwhelming we don't any fake version.
I rather doubt it because it’s more important for us to promote political infighting that keeps us separate and fighting one another, rather than focusing on things we can share and enjoy like good old fashioned TV entertainment.