Veteran actor Jeff Garlin told Adam Carolla’s podcast that he hasn’t worked in almost three years since “Curb Your Enthusiasm” ended, noting that the market for acting roles in Hollywood has all but vanished. Garlin’s remarks echo a growing chorus of industry professionals who say productions are leaving California – and even the United States – in search of cheaper locations.
State incentives aim to stem the outflow
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announced a suite of measures intended to keep filming in the Golden State. The latest round of the California Film Commission’s expanded Film and Television Tax Credit Program awarded incentives to 35 projects, including 28 independent films. Officials say the projects will generate more than $1 billion in direct production spending, create jobs for over 5,400 cast and crew members, and employ 24,800 background actors.
In addition, the state is rolling out a new post‑production tax credit and protections for actors against AI‑generated content, hoping to address both cost pressures and emerging technological concerns.
Federal effort gains bipartisan backing
At the same time, a bipartisan coalition in Congress is drafting a federal tax credit that could be layered on top of state incentives. President Trump has publicly praised the initiative, calling it a “common‑sense solution” that will bring American jobs back to U.S. studios and keep the nation’s cultural leadership strong.
“We need to make sure our filmmakers have the incentives they need to stay here, not ship out to Ireland or other overseas locales,” Trump said in a recent statement. His endorsement aligns with the administration’s broader focus on revitalizing American manufacturing and creative industries.
Industry leaders voice concern
Despite the proposed incentives, many in Hollywood remain skeptical. Garlin pointed to the sheer number of American productions now filmed in Ireland as evidence of a shifting landscape. “All these empty sound stages,” he said, “it’s a shame.”
Actor‑comedian Bryan Callen added that the high cost of producing a ten‑episode Netflix series in Los Angeles often leaves little profit after taxes, commissions, and agent fees. He noted that the rising cost of living in Los Angeles further squeezes middle‑class actors, making it harder to sustain a career.
Callen also warned that the industry’s “monoculture” – where a handful of stars could draw audiences on their own – is fading. Yet he maintained that Los Angeles still offers unparalleled talent in sound engineering, directing, writing, and special effects, and that moving the business entirely to places like Texas is unrealistic.
Job losses confirmed by data
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the entertainment industry has shed 49,000 jobs since 2022, a decline attributed to the COVID‑19 pandemic and a slowdown in streaming production. While the new tax credits aim to reverse this trend, the industry’s confidence will likely hinge on how quickly the incentives translate into actual filming activity.
Local crew members, from hairdressers to caterers, also feel the impact. As Carolla noted, a longtime editor friend told him, “I’m retired. There’s no work.” The ripple effect extends beyond actors to the entire ecosystem that supports film and television production.
Looking ahead
Both state and federal leaders are betting that financial incentives, combined with President Trump’s backing, will lure productions back to California. If successful, the measures could restore thousands of jobs and reaffirm Hollywood’s role as a cultural and economic engine for the nation.
For now, industry insiders watch closely, hoping the promised credits will materialize into real projects and a revitalized job market.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
