Where Did All the Work Go? Hollywood's Commercial Crews Feel the Pinch

Hollywood's commercial production crews are facing a tough time. Work is drying up, and many are looking elsewhere for opportunities. Diane McArter, who runs Furlined, a company that produces ads for big names like Apple and Eli Lilly, is one of those affected. She's been traveling a lot lately, shooting commercials in places like Glasgow, Prague, Mexico City, and Toronto. That's a lot of money leaving Los Angeles. Commercial advertising has always been the less glamorous cousin of film and TV in Hollywood. But it's been a steady source of income for many crew members. They rely on it to pay the bills, especially when film and TV work is slow. But now, commercial production in Los Angeles is down. Way down. In the third quarter of this year, it was 18% lower than last year and 40% lower than the five-year average. That's a big drop. This is a problem because commercial work has always been a safety net for industry workers. But now, that net has holes in it. And unlike film and TV, commercial production isn't getting any help from the state. A new law in California offers tax breaks for film and TV production, but commercial work is left out in the cold. So, what's going on? Why is commercial production in Los Angeles struggling? It's not just one thing. It's a mix of factors. For one, production companies are looking elsewhere for cheaper options. Plus, the rise of digital advertising has changed the game. But whatever the reasons, the result is the same: fewer jobs for Hollywood's commercial crews. It's a tough situation, and it's not clear when things will improve. But one thing is certain: Hollywood's commercial crews are resilient. They've weathered storms before, and they'll do it again. But they need support, and they need it now.