Today FilmLA updated its regional survey of sound stage occupancy and certified studio-based production. The newly released data covers the first half of 2023 and the closely-watched period leading up to the WGA / SAG-AFTRA work actions. The latest report is available free to registered subscribers to FilmLA’s Research Updates.
In many ways, the situation faced by stage operators in the first half of 2023 seems familiar today. Uncertainty about the outcome of industry contract talks saw occupancy levels drop substantially, dipping to as low as 74 percent by the second quarter. This is the lowest reported occupancy level observed by FilmLA since formal study of this sector began in 2016. On-location production, separately tracked by FilmLA, also slipped substantially at this time.
Approximately 706 projects filmed on stages during the study period, and among them the overall proportions of feature film, television, and commercial projects did not change much from prior periods.
Non-film use of stage properties increased in early 2023, to about 17 percent of total activity. Resilient in the face of reduced filmmaker demand, stage operators welcomed novel non-film uses of unused stage properties in early 2023 and into the latter half of the year. Study participants reported that use of sound stages and backlots was something event producers, marketing agencies and other parties often pursue, but in recent years many of these inquiries had to be turned away, due to lack of space.
Today’s update is the second sound stage report FilmLA Research has published in 2024. Two more updates are planned by this fall. After that, and in order to meet research participants’ need for more real-time insight into occupancy and use of Los Angeles area sound stages, FilmLA will move to publish these updates on a six-month basis, every March and September, beginning in 2025.
FilmLA’s latest update does not include an updated list of area sound stage projects in development. For a recent discussion of this topic, see our last Sound Stage Report, published in February 2024.
