Los Angeles has long been a magnet for those chasing their big break in film and TV, drawn by the allure of creative fulfillment and fame. But conversations about a growing exodus are getting louder, as escalating housing costs and push many to pursue their dreams elsewhere. The city’s entertainment industry workforce has been rocked by a series of unprecedented shocks, from a global pandemic to last summer’s double labor strikes by writers and actors.
As the streaming boom has faded, , and . With the industry in the and the cost of living in L.A.
still high, the motto for those in the city has become “Survive till ‘25,” in hopes of a rebound next year. But many have simply been unable, or unwilling, to continue to tough it out in a city where rents have risen and , up 6% over last year alone. With a potential strike of 60,000 people in the crew members’ union keeping the industry on edge, not to mention the existential threat of artificial intelligence to creative jobs, the uncertainty has driven a growing number of film and TV workers to seek stability elsewhere.
Some have left for work in places like Atlanta and New Mexico, with generous tax incentives. Others have given up on the entertainment business altogether and are trying to forge new careers. Whether they moved out of choice or desperation, uprooted Hollywood workers have inevitably coped with unexpected challenges, both financially and emotionally.
Here are three of their stories: When it comes to film.
