Glendale News-Press: Friedman, Labor Unions Announce Push to Bring Back Film & TV
U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman, who represents Burbank and Glendale, led members of IATSE, SAG-AFTRA, the Writers Guild of America, Directors Guild of America, and Teamsters Local 399 to announce a new push to bring film and television production back to Los Angeles.
The event included the announcement of a letter — signed by ten Members of Congress representing the Hollywood region — sent to the Motion Picture Association, which represents Netflix, Disney, Amazon, Warner Bros., Paramount, and other major studios.
The letter highlights the importance of studios and streamers reinvesting in LA’s creative workforce as the region continues to recover from this year’s catastrophic wildfires.
The announcement took place outside the historic Raleigh Studios, the building where Friedman first worked as a film producer.
The letter was led by Friedman and signed by California lawmakers Nanette Barragán, Julia Brownley, Judy Chu, Gilbert Cisneros, Robert Garcia, Jimmy Gomez, Ted Lieu, Brad Sherman and Eric Swalwell.
“After the wildfires, our hardworking families need real investment — not just donations, but work. That’s why today, I led my colleagues in Congress in sending a letter to the Motion Picture Association highlighting the value of bringing production back to Los Angeles,” Friedman said.
“I’ll keep working in Congress to support the industry with commonsense tax plans. In return, it's important that the industry show up for the people who built it.”
Los Angeles is currently experiencing its lowest levels of local production in decades. The film industry supports 600,000+ jobs across the state and generates $30 billion annually in economic activity. According to Friedman's office, the industry also fuels $100 billion+ in tourism linked to the creative sector and contributes $649 billion annually to the national economy.
Friedman’s letter calls for the return of production to Los Angeles, making it a top destination and "not an afterthought." She singaled a renewed commitment to long-term investment in local jobs, facilities, and working families.