How Hollywood's production crisis became a key issue in the L.A. mayor's race

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Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who serves the 4th District, makes her way across an empty, unnamed backlot, presenting her case to be the city’s next mayor.“Studio lots like this one used to be filled with people, costumers, electricians, set medics, caterers, thousands of Angelenos making a living,” she says in the video posted on social media.“Now these lots are quiet.

Since 2018, shooting days in the city have fallen by half.”After telling voters this issue is “personal” (her husband is a TV writer and producer), criticizing Mayor Karen Bass’ leadership on the matter and outlining her own plans, Raman proclaims, “I’m running for mayor to make sure Los Angeles stays the film and TV capital of the world.” Hollywood Inc.Dozens of family businesses that serve Hollywood have closed down in recent years, squeezed by a historic falloff in local production activity.Placing the concerns of the entertainment industry at the center of the city’s mayoral race would have been unthinkable even in the last election cycle.

But the production crisis, which has rocked Hollywood and pummeled its workforce, has reached a critical juncture.The state of L.A.’s signature industry is now a political flashpoint alongside affordability, crime and homelessness in the upcoming election.In campaign ads, interviews and the recent televised debate, the top three contenders: incumbent Mayor Bass, former reality TV villain Spencer Pratt and Raman, have made the ongoing production slump a pivotal topic, highlighting their plans to revitalize the industry while deploying the issue to undercut one another.For decades, elected officials have not had to focus on the film and TV business, let alone turn it into a campaign issue.

It was simply a given that local production would continue to play a dominant role in the city’s economy as it has for more than a century.But...