Hollywood Has Not Recovered Jobs Lost During Strikes, Report
Published: 03:04 PM,Apr 06,2025 | EDITED : 07:04 PM,Apr 06,2025
The landmark Hollywood sign on Mount Lee in Los Angeles, Dec. 20, 2024. (Stella Kalinina/The New York Times)
Hollywood is struggling to regain production jobs lost during the 2023 writer and actor strikes, according to a report from Otis College of Art and Design. In 2024, employment in the entertainment sector remained 25% below the 2022 peak, impacted by ongoing shifts in the industry as it sought to recover from COVID-19 pandemic disruptions. The number of shooting days in Los Angeles County plummeted 42% compared to 2022, indicating a significant contraction in production activities.
Michael F. Miller Jr., a vice president at the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, noted that between 2022 and 2024, approximately 18,000 full-time jobs vanished. A survey of over 700 crew members revealed that nearly two-thirds experienced income that fell short of their expectations last year, highlighting the pervasive struggle within the industry.
While the entertainment sector did add nearly 15,000 jobs in the past year, this gain failed to fully compensate for the immense losses incurred during the strikes. The report underscores a developing crisis for Hollywood's workforce, attributed to a combination of pandemic effects, the strikes, and the saturation of peak streaming content.
As work opportunities remain sparse, many industry professionals—including writers, artists, and technicians—have turned to side jobs or left Los Angeles altogether. Compounding their struggles, some have lost their homes due to wildfires that struck the area earlier this year.
Hollywood is also facing increasing competition from other states and countries that entice production with lucrative tax incentives. In response, coalitions were established to retain more filming and jobs in Los Angeles. Governor Gavin Newsom has advocated for more than doubling California's film and television tax incentive program, and lawmakers are proposing bills to broaden tax credit eligibility for various productions.
State lawmakers recently convened in Sacramento to discuss the tax credit program, with advocates expressing concern that California is losing its competitive edge. Assembly member Rick Chavez Zbur shared that constituents reported being out of work for extensive periods, emphasizing that this legislation is critical for job creation. As the industry navigates these challenging times, the push for renewed financial support remains a pivotal issue for its recovery. —NYT
Michael F. Miller Jr., a vice president at the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, noted that between 2022 and 2024, approximately 18,000 full-time jobs vanished. A survey of over 700 crew members revealed that nearly two-thirds experienced income that fell short of their expectations last year, highlighting the pervasive struggle within the industry.
While the entertainment sector did add nearly 15,000 jobs in the past year, this gain failed to fully compensate for the immense losses incurred during the strikes. The report underscores a developing crisis for Hollywood's workforce, attributed to a combination of pandemic effects, the strikes, and the saturation of peak streaming content.
As work opportunities remain sparse, many industry professionals—including writers, artists, and technicians—have turned to side jobs or left Los Angeles altogether. Compounding their struggles, some have lost their homes due to wildfires that struck the area earlier this year.
Hollywood is also facing increasing competition from other states and countries that entice production with lucrative tax incentives. In response, coalitions were established to retain more filming and jobs in Los Angeles. Governor Gavin Newsom has advocated for more than doubling California's film and television tax incentive program, and lawmakers are proposing bills to broaden tax credit eligibility for various productions.
State lawmakers recently convened in Sacramento to discuss the tax credit program, with advocates expressing concern that California is losing its competitive edge. Assembly member Rick Chavez Zbur shared that constituents reported being out of work for extensive periods, emphasizing that this legislation is critical for job creation. As the industry navigates these challenging times, the push for renewed financial support remains a pivotal issue for its recovery. —NYT