The entertainment industry has been buzzing after Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom announced their commitment to bringing back film productions to Los Angeles. At face value, this should be welcome news. Yet at Golden State Lifeguards, we approach the announcement with cautious optimism.
Why? Because we have seen promises like these before—and unfortunately, the reality on the ground has been very different.
A Long Decline in the California Film Industry
Once the undisputed home of Hollywood, Los Angeles has steadily lost productions to other states and countries over the last two decades. Rising costs, endless red tape, and heavy taxation have made filming in California more expensive than ever. Not to mention the high cost of permits for film productions are driving many to seek better costs elsewhere.
While Bass and Newsom are promoting new tax incentives and credits, they have not given many of us the confidence that these measures will reverse the industry’s decline. In fact, history shows us the opposite:
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Tax incentives are offered, but then new taxes and regulations are introduced that wipe out any financial advantage.
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California’s permit system remains one of the most costly and complicated in the nation. Have you ever dealt with FilmLA?
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Political leadership continues to push policies that make doing business in Los Angeles harder, not easier.
It’s a frustrating cycle that has left many production professionals—and companies like ours—skeptical.
Why Other States Are Winning
While California politicians are caught in this push-and-pull of incentives versus new taxes, other states are rolling out the red carpet for productions.
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Georgia has become a true powerhouse, offering lucrative tax breaks that have drawn blockbuster films, including Marvel franchises.
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New Mexico and Nevada are aggressively competing, with attractive incentives, streamlined permitting, and a business-friendly environment.
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Even smaller states are gaining ground by removing the very barriers that continue to drive productions out of California.
For production companies looking at the bottom line, these states make the choice easy. As a result, the Southern California film industry continues to bleed out.
Our Place in the Industry
For years, Golden State Lifeguards has proudly provided production set safety services to some of the most dynamic projects filmed in Southern California. Our expertise includes:
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On-set safety coordinators
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Aquatic safety services
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EMS and emergency medical responders
We know the demanding environment of film and television productions, and we’ve built our reputation on keeping both cast and crew safe without disrupting the creative process.
Why We’re Reactivating Our Production Set Safety Division
Despite our skepticism, we’ve made the decision to reactivate our production set safety division—temporarily.
We want to give the Los Angeles production revival a chance, but we are not holding our breath. If the industry truly rebounds, we will be ready and able to meet the demand for professional, experienced safety personnel.
If, however, these political promises once again fall flat, we will scale back our services accordingly. Like many others, we cannot ignore the trend of productions continuing to leave California.
Hope vs. Reality
We would love nothing more than to see Los Angeles thrive once again as the heart of the global film industry. But it will take more than tax credits and soundbites to make that happen. Unless there are sustainable changes to California’s tax and regulatory environment, we believe the industry will continue to shrink here while flourishing elsewhere.
For now, we remain cautiously optimistic—but also realistic.
At Golden State Lifeguards, our mission remains unchanged: to provide the most professional and reliable production set safety services available in Southern California. Whether it’s aquatic safety or EMS, we are committed to ensuring every production has the support it needs.
If you are planning a production in Los Angeles—or anywhere in Southern California—don’t take chances with safety. Contact Golden State Lifeguards today to learn more about our production set safety division and how we can support your next project.