Petition Calls for Film and TV Productions to Remain in Los Angeles Following Wildfires
LeVar Burton, the host of ‘Reading Rainbow,’ and Alison Brie, known for her role in ‘Mad Men,’ are among the many who have signed the petition.
A new petition initiated by entertainment industry professionals is advocating for film and television productions to stay in Los Angeles. This call to action comes amid worries that the destructive wildfires in Southern California could lead to a significant relocation of projects out of the region.
As of January 24, the petition has already collected more than 9,600 signatures from individuals including actors, writers, and filmmakers.
Supporters include LeVar Burton, Julie Plec, co-creator of “The Vampire Diaries,” and Alison Brie from “Mad Men.”
“We draft this petition as film and television workers, as well as concerned residents of Los Angeles, in light of the Eaton, Hughes, and Palisades Fires,” the petition states.
“We were already seriously concerned about the welfare of cast and crew in the Los Angeles area, not to mention the numerous small businesses impacted by production shifts to other states and countries.”
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The Hughes Fire is the most recent wildfire affecting the region.
The Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, which started on January 7, have burned more than 37,000 acres combined.
The Palisades Fire, which began in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, is 79 percent contained as of Friday night, while the Eaton Fire, igniting near Altadena, just north of Pasadena, is at 95 percent containment.
“The fires have exacerbated an already critical situation. We fear that our beloved city may lose its most essential asset: its people,” the petition asserts.
“We need a surge of new work to aid in the recovery and to ensure the future sustainability of L.A. as a thriving hub for professionals, filmmakers, and businesses.”
Reports indicate that the wildfires have caused numerous productions to halt filming.
Beachfront homes that burned in the Palisades Fire in Malibu, Calif., on Jan. 15. Mario Tama/Getty Images
On Instagram, Stay in L.A. highlighted that Los Angeles is losing film and television productions to competitive markets emerging across the country.
According to FilmLA, the city’s official film office, Los Angeles witnessed a decline in local productions last year.
To assist with disaster relief efforts in Los Angeles, Stay in L.A. is pressuring state and local lawmakers—including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass—to lift the cap on tax incentives for films and TV projects shot in Hollywood over the next three years.
The $1.55 billion incentive program includes an additional 5 percent or 10 percent tax credit for off-zone filming, visual effects work, and jobs filled by local labor.
The petition also urges studios and streaming services to increase their production commitments by at least 10 percent in Los Angeles during the same period to “[demonstrate] their commitment to the city’s recovery and their long-term investment in L.A.’s workforce.”
“We ask both lawmakers and studios/streamers to provide the people of Los Angeles a fighting chance by implementing urgent actions to bring production back to L.A.,” the organization stated online.
“This is a nonpartisan issue that impacts all sectors of our city. When we film in L.A., we create jobs, support small businesses, and boost the entire economy.”
