The entertainment industry has long been a significant user of Southern California, but with tax incentives leading many productions to relocate to other parts of the world, concerns about environmental impact are growing. While moving production outside of LA may save studios money in the short term, it often comes at a high cost to the environment.
Actors and crew members frequently travel back and forth between their homes and filming locations, increasing their carbon footprint despite not physically moving. For example, actress Wendie Malick is currently shooting two shows in Vancouver and Los Angeles, returning every few weeks. She believes that personal travel, which was already a major contributor to the industry’s emissions in 2021, is often overlooked when making production decisions.
According to sustainability agency Earth Angel, relocating a TV show from LA to Vancouver could result in an additional 103.9 metric tons of CO2 emissions per person traveling business class and staying in upscale accommodations for 20 weeks. This highlights the significant environmental impact of these productions.
While studios may save money on production costs by moving their shows outside of LA, it is not always clear that this comes at a cost to sustainability. Environmental icon Ed Begley Jr. notes that even he uses air travel due to time constraints and availability of electric cars and sustainable alternatives in other locations.
Environmental activists are calling for the industry to prioritize sustainability, with some suggesting increased incentives for productions that adopt environmentally-friendly practices. Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent efforts to promote the entertainment industry in Southern California by offering more generous tax incentive programs have been welcomed by many, but more support is needed to address the environmental impact of these productions.
The issue is not just about environmental concerns; it also has economic and emotional implications for families who rely on the production industry for their livelihoods. As Ed Begley Jr. notes, “now all of a sudden…they have to fly somewhere else, which means they have to fly back and forth.” The need for sustainable solutions in the entertainment industry is crucial, and addressing these concerns may require industry-wide changes in how productions are planned and executed.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/film-tv-production-exodus-bad-la-environment-1236181145