The use of sound stages in the Los Angeles region remained steady at about 62% during the first six months of 2025 after a significant decrease in such occupancy that began in 2023, a new report shows.
On Wednesday, FilmLA Research published its eighth annual Sound Stage Production Report, analyzing the occupancy of sound stages by 17 studio participants in the study, which includes all the major legacy studios and larger independents, representing approximately 75% of the current 6.9 million square feet of certified stage space in the L.A. market.
In the county, occupancy of sound stage peaked from 2016 through 2022 in the mid-90th percentile range, then declined to 69% in 2023 and further to 63% in 2024.
The total number of projects shot on participant stages increased slightly by 5% from 1,225 to 1,287 projects between 2023 and 2024, according to FilmLA Research. At the same time, the total number of shoot days declined by 8% from 8,671 to 7,940.
The group attributed the decline to a drop in scripted television projects, which fell by 23% on participant stages between 2023 and 2024.
Though scripted television series experienced a decline, participant stages reported an increase in both projects and shoot days for feature films, commercials, music videos and other non-traditional uses such as special events and rehearsals, among other things.
Two new sound stage facilities opened in Los Angeles during the first quarter of 2026 with the East End Studios’ five-stage Mission Campus in Boyle Heights, as well as Cinespace Studios’ six-stage Woodland Hills facility.
FilmLA Research is tracking another seven planned studio builds or renovations with the closest to completion being Sylmar Studios’ six-stage facility.
As of March, L.A. County remains the world leader in available sound stage space with 8.3 million square feet of total certified and uncertified space, according to the report.
The county does face challenges from competing jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom and New York, which have doubled their studio spaces over the past five years. They also provide highly competitive tax incentives.
The California Soundstage Filming Tax Credit Program provides tax credits to qualified films and television projects filming on a certified sound stage that is newly constructed, renovated or converted. The program is funded over a 10-year period, from 2022 through 2032, for a total of $150 million.
More information on the program can be found at https://film.ca.gov/tax-credit/soundstage-tax-credit.
FilmLA Research is a program of the FilmLA Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in 2025, which bills itself as a way to “support a thriving film economy in California.” FilmLA is the official film office for the city and county of Los Angeles, as well as cities across the region.