LOS ANGELES, CA — On-location filming in Los Angeles continued to decline during the third quarter of 2026, despite a sharp increase in production supported by California's expanded film and television tax credit program, according to a report released Wednesday.
FilmLA, the nonprofit organization that coordinates film permits and tracks on-location production in the L.A. area, reported 4,171 shoot days from July through September, a 4.8% decrease from the 4,380 recorded during the same period last year.
Overall filming was also down about 11.5% from the second quarter and roughly 38.5% below the average for the third quarter during the previous five years, based on FilmLA's production figures.
At the same time, productions receiving state tax credits accounted for 40.3% of scripted on-location filming, nearly double their share a year earlier, according to FilmLA.
Across feature film and television production, tax-credit-supported projects logged 505 shoot days, more than twice the 242 recorded during the third quarter of 2025.
"Where the tax credit applies, it's working to bring productions back to Los Angeles and put local crews to work," FilmLA CEO Denise Gutches said. "Still, overall production remains far below where Los Angeles needs it to be, and crews and businesses across the region are feeling it."
Television production totaled 1,400 shoot days, down 2.8% from 1,441 a year earlier.
Television comedy was a notable exception, increasing 143% to 192 shoot days from 79 during the same quarter last year.
Tax-credit-supported projects accounted for 119 comedy shoot days, compared with just 15 a year earlier. Their share of comedy filming rose to 62% from 19%.
FilmLA attributed much of the increase to the expansion of California's tax credit program, which made additional television projects eligible for incentives. Comedies filming locally included "Shrinking," "High Potential," "I Love LA" and "Rooster."
Television dramas recorded 494 shoot days, down 9.4% from 545 a year earlier. However, incentivized drama production more than doubled to 244 shoot days from 112, representing 49.4% of all drama filming. Among the dramas filming in Los Angeles was CBS' "Tracker," which relocated production from British Columbia for its fourth season.
"Tax credits drive production decisions today, and California's incentive is what made it possible to bring `Tracker' here," showrunner and executive producer Elwood Reid said. "With a 22-episode season, a relocating show like ours brings a lot of steady jobs."
Reality television production slipped 2.9% to 630 shoot days from 649 a year earlier.
Feature film production increased 2.1% to 533 shoot days from 522 in the third quarter of 2025. That was also a 20.3% increase from the second quarter. Films shooting locally included Netflix's "13 Going on 30," Warner Bros.' "Cut Off" and several independent productions.
Commercial production, which does not qualify for California's film tax credits, fell 15.9% to 562 shoot days from 668 a year earlier.
FilmLA's "Other" category, which includes documentaries, student films, still photography, online content and music videos, declined 4.2% to 1,676 shoot days. Within that category, online content rose 16.3% to 556 shoot days, reflecting growing production of short-form and vertical-format programming, FilmLA reported.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the gains in tax-credit-supported productions and television comedy filming offered signs of improvement but acknowledged that overall production remained weak.
"Television comedy filming increased by 143%, and tax-credit- supported productions more than doubled their on-location filming days compared to last year," Bass said. "These gains show that incentives work, but we must do more."
Bass called for an uncapped state film and television tax credit covering additional types of productions, along with a federal film and television tax credit.
The California Film Commission announced tax credit awards Oct. 7 for 35 films, including 28 independent productions, expected to account for 1,049 shooting days statewide. Since July 2025, 214 projects have received awards through California's expanded incentive program, according to the commission.
Gutches said the effect of the program could grow as additional approved projects begin production.
FilmLA's figures cover permitted on-location filming within the jurisdictions it serves. They do not include production on certified soundstages or filming in areas outside those jurisdictions.
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