Hollywood’s New Home: Filming Comes Back to LA
The upcoming Fox reboot of “Baywatch” will be one of the few high‑budget shows that actually shoots on the West Coast this year. Filming will take place along Venice Beach and inside Fox Studios, marking a sharp contrast to the trend of productions moving away from Los Angeles.
A Shift in Production Geography
California has been struggling to compete with states and countries that offer generous tax incentives—Georgia, New York, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Hungary. In response, Governor Gavin Newsom has expanded the state’s tax credit program to attract more productions.
The “Baywatch” revival is not alone.
- Netflix’s “The Night Agent” will relocate its fourth season to Los Angeles.
- Major studios such as Sony and Universal are also planning shoots in the state.
These moves signal a turning point for Hollywood’s geographic focus.
City Initiatives to Ease Filming
The Los Angeles City Council has adopted several proposals aimed at making filming easier:
- Speed up soundstage approvals.
- Enforce a 2025 executive order that protects filmmakers.
- Conduct an independent audit of FilmLA, the agency that issues permits.
- Support free “microshoots,” small productions with ten or fewer people.
Marketing the City as a Film Destination
The tourism department has been tasked with developing a “Made in LA” branding campaign. This initiative will showcase the city’s appeal as a filming destination and help attract future projects.
Looking Ahead
The combination of expanded tax credits, streamlined regulations, and targeted marketing efforts suggests that Los Angeles is positioning itself to regain its status as a major hub for film and television production.
