‘LA is not film friendly’: how Hollywood’s woes became a political cudgel in mayoral race
Summary
Los Angeles faced problems when the new Baywatch TV show returned to Venice Beach but could not film as planned due to unexpected rules from local agencies. This situation highlighted challenges for the city’s film industry and became a key issue in the Los Angeles mayoral race.Key Facts
- Baywatch returned to southern California in February after filming in other states.
- The show's producers planned a multi-season shoot with a $21 million state tax credit.
- Local agencies restricted filming, banning drone use and night shoots, stopping production after four days.
- The filming issues raised concerns about Los Angeles being "not film friendly."
- The city has lost film business to cheaper locations like Atlanta, Toronto, and London.
- Mayor Karen Bass faced criticism but worked to resolve the problems with the city council and other groups.
- By mid-April, it was announced Baywatch would remain filming in Venice Beach.
- The issue became a major topic in the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral election, with candidates blaming each other for the film industry's troubles.
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