Hollywood Stars Rally for Stay in LA Campaign

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A campaign advocating for increased film and television production in Los Angeles has garnered over 20,000 signatures. The effort, known as the Stay in LA campaign, attracts high-profile support from industry stars, including Marisa Tomei and Paul W. Downs, following a series of award season events.

As the HBO series Hacks, filmed in locations such as Altadena, received the Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy Series, Downs emphasized the need for continued production in the city. He stated, “We need to ask to shoot our shows in LA,” adding that “the people in the room have the power to make it happen.”

Fellow supporters include DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter, who called for directors to “insist that your projects are shot where they are set.” The campaign aims to secure additional production commitments from studios and streaming services amid ongoing challenges faced by the industry.

The campaign proposes significant changes to local production incentives. Advocates are requesting the uncapping of tax incentives for productions shooting in LA County over the next three years, seeking to bolster the local economy as part of a broader disaster relief effort. They are also asking that studios commit to at least a 10% increase in production tasks within Los Angeles during this period.

Additional measures suggested include reducing or eliminating permitting fees to lower production costs and broadening tax incentives to cover short-form productions, such as commercials and post-production work. Organizers have reached out to Governor Gavin Newsom, Mayor Karen Bass, the California State Legislature, and the LA City Council to endorse these emergency measures.

The Stay in LA campaign was initiated by Alexandra Pechman, known for her work on Syfy’s Channel Zero and Hulu‘s Into the Dark, and Sarah Adina Smith, who has directed episodes of Apple’s Lessons in Chemistry and FX’s Legion. They work in conjunction with various industry figures including Nick Antosca and Julie Plec, and are supported by CA United, which includes Pamala Buzick, Kim West Bailey, and Marie Dunaway.

The campaign comes at a critical time for the entertainment industry, which has faced significant disruptions and economic fallout due to the COVID-19 pandemic and increased costs of production. Proponents argue that maintaining production in Los Angeles is essential for the area’s entertainment ecosystem and its long-term viability.