ICYMI: In Burbank, Sen. Schiff Holds Hearing with Film Industry Leaders on Promoting and Protecting American Film Production and Jobs

"This is not a Hollywood backlot story. It's a main street story. It's the story of an industry delivering America's greatest cultural export to audiences around the world," Schiff said at the hearing. "It's also an industry that has faced very real challenges over the last few years."

Burbank, CA - In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) held a spotlight hearing with entertainment industry and labor leaders to hear testimony on challenges facing the film industry, from productions being moved overseas to the potential impacts of the proposed merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Schiff's hearing, "Lights, Camera, Competition: Promoting American Film Production," included guests Noah Wyle, Golden Globe and Emmy-Winning Actor and Star, Executive Producer, Writer, and Director of "The Pitt;" Matthew Loeb, International President of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE); Jax Deluca, Executive Director, Future Film Coalition and Research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy; Jim Acosta, Journalist, Author and Host of "The Jim Acosta Show" on Substack and YouTube, Former CNN Anchor and Chief White House Correspondent.

Schiff was also joined by U.S. Representatives Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30), Lou Correa (D-Calif.-46), and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37).

Background: Schiff is working to advance bipartisan legislation to establish a federal film tax incentive, modeled after successful state programs like California's, to help the United States remain competitive in the global market and encourage domestic filmmaking.

Schiff has previously voiced concern about how the sale of Warner Bros. Discovery could potentially impact domestic film production, the workforce, consumer costs, media consolidation, and theaters - including at a hearing with Warner Bros. executives before the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this year.

In February, Senator Schiff and Rep. Friedman sought answers from Paramount Skydance Corporation CEO David Ellison and Netflix Co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters, pressing for concrete commitments to protect California jobs and American workers as both companies were pursuing the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Ellison responded to the lawmakers' inquiry here.

See coverage below:

Variety: Adam Schiff Touts Federal Film Incentive to Counter Hollywood Job Losses: 'It Needs to Be Bipartisan'

Sen. Adam Schiff has drafted a bill to create a federal incentive for film and TV production, but said Friday that he [is] still working to gain Republican co-sponsors.

Schiff held a hearing at Burbank City Hall to build support for the measure, noting that Los Angeles County has lost 42,000 entertainment jobs in the last two years.

"These are great jobs and we want to keep them here at home," he said. "It's not rocket science how we do that. It's largely drafted. It needs to be bipartisan. We are working to gather bipartisan support for this."

Though he has been working on the idea for more than a year, Schiff had not previously spoken about it publicly in any detail.

He invited Noah Wyle, the star of "The Pitt," and IATSE President Matt Loeb to testify at the hearing on the value of production jobs and the need for a federal incentive. He also highlighted concerns about the merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros., warning that it could lead to another wave off layoffs in the industry.

While few expect the merger to have much difficulty clearing federal antitrust review, state officials have said that they intend to take a hard look at it.

"We are engaged currently in a rigorous review and we have shown that we won't hesitate when we think that the law is being broken," said Rob Bonta, the California attorney general, after the hearing.

Bonta noted that his office filed to block the merger of Tegna and Nexstar, which the Federal Communications Commission approved on Thursday, and that it has continued to pursue an antitrust case against Ticketmaster and Live Nation, even after the federal government withdrew.

"We don't expect the federal government to play the role that it should be playing," Bonta said. "It could still, and so we hope it will. There's always time to change course. But because they've withdrawn we've stepped into that vacuum and that gap and done more."

Schiff was joined at the hearing by three Democratic members of Congress from Southern California. He also heard testimony from Jim Acosta, the former CNN correspondent, about the potential harms to the network if Paramount and Larry and David Ellison are able to take over.

Acosta did not hold back, blasting Paramount's management of CBS under Bari Weiss, and calling the Ellisons a "MAGA-friendly oligarchic family."

"You basically have partisan hacks running CBS News," he said. "Imagine those editorial decisions moving over to CNN…. This is a full frontal assault on every type of media option we have."

Loeb, whose union represents 130,000 below-the-line workers, noted that while Paramount has pledged to make 30 films a year after the merger, it has not pledged to make them in the U.S.

"Thirty pictures doesn't mean anything unless they're done here," he said, adding that a federal incentive will be needed to keep those jobs from going overseas. "What is the future going to look like if we don't put a tax incentive in place?"

Rep. Lou Correa, a Democrat from Orange County, asked the witnesses what guardrails could be placed on the merger to protect workers and media.

Jax Deluca, executive director of the Future Film Coalition, argued that conditions of approval would not be sufficient to protect jobs and independent filmmakers. Her group has launched a campaign to block the merger outright.

Acosta concurred.

"To me, if this merger goes through the guardrails are gone," he said. "It seems to me the fix is in."

Wyle was on hand to testify to the success of the California film and TV tax incentive. "The Pitt" received $12.2 million in tax credits for each of its first two seasons - shot at the Warner Bros. lot - and will receive $24.2 million for Season 3.

Before "The Pitt," he worked around the country and in Canada as producers chased incentives in other jurisdictions.

"It's hard on families. It's hard to fracture your industry that way," he said, noting that California's subsidy allows productions to draw on a deep pool of local talent. "It's vital to support these incentives. They are an investment in our city's most precious commodity - they are an investment in its people."

Speaking after the hearing, Schiff noted that President Trump has voiced support for tariffs on foreign-made films in order to bring production back to the U.S. While nobody in the industry supports that remedy, some have taken encouragement that Trump has at least acknowledged the problem.

"We - and I think the industry - think it makes sense to have a federal tax credit," Schiff said. "But I think there's great interest in this. I do expect it to be bipartisan. And it has to be."

In his remarks, Loeb noted that the U.K. has lured Marvel productions that used to film in Georgia. Schiff said that that one idea being floated is to offer an added federal incentive to companies that bring back such jobs from overseas.

California has such a provision in its tax credit program, whereby TV shows that relocate from other states or countries are given a 5% bonus on top of the baseline credit.

Deadline: "The News Is Broken": Ex-CNN Host Warns Of Potential Pro-Trump State Media With Paramount-WBD Merger; Noah Wyle, IATSE Chief & Others Push For Federal Film-TV Tax Credit

"The news is broken, we may not be able to put the pieces back together," former CNN White House Correspondent Jim Acosta told a packed Burbank City Hall on Friday, warning of the rise of entertainment industry oligarchs and "media domination."

"We need to talk about busting up big media," Acosta insisted. "This is not America what we're seeing now."

Taking a swing at "partisan hacks" running CBS News and the probability of more job losses like we saw today, and "self-censoring," the journalist was speaking Friday at Sen. Adam Schiff's "Lights, Camera, Competition": Promoting American Film Production event in the former home of the Tonight Show. With an event lineup that included The Pitt's Noah Wyle, IATSE president Matthew Loeb, Jax Deluca, Executive Director of Future Film Coalition, longtime production incentive proponent Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) and HBO alum Rep. Laura Friedman (D-CA) in attendance, the gathering toggled its split focus. California Attorney General Rob Bonta (who is investigating the Paramount-WBD deal & leading the multi-state suit against the Nexstar-Tegna merger) didn't speak during the session, but was sitting in the front room with a smile on his face. At one point, as the benefits of a federal tax incentive were debated, Acosta threw in the idea of a tax credit for "independent journalism" to turn the consolidation and ideological tide.

With that, while there are few things on which Trump and Schiff agree, both are on the same page when it comes to keeping Hollywood production in the U.S. However, at the same time, the MAGA kingpin and the Democrat who reps Hollywood are in different places it seems when it comes to Paramount merging with Warner Bros Discovery.

Ellison has promised editorial independence for CNN, but with the direction CBS has gone under its news editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, those pledges strike many as the Paramount CEO saying what he needs to say to get his deal approved. Warning about the potential consequences of Skydance founder Ellison and his father, Oracle's Larry Ellison, owning both CBS and CNN, Acosta's remarks picked up on a placard quoting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week criticizing the media over its Iran war coverage.

"The public can sniff out what's going on here," Acosta proclaimed, pointing to a recent media hit list from Trump last week and payouts and other moves seemingly undertaken to placate the White House. They are "a shakedown to a wannabe dictator," Acosta added, gathering a round of applause in the room.

Turning to the desire for a federal program though never letting the merger out of his sight, Schiff declared that the harsh decline in U.S. production "is not a Hollywood backlot story, it's a Main Street story."

Pushing for Congress to act on a federal program, Schiff wasn't alone in pushing for greater initiative from DC to complement tax credit programs that exist in states like California, New York and Georgia. "Without a comprehensive federal policy response, the U.S. risks turning its back on a signature American industry," IATSE chief Loeb said, with The Pitt's Wyle by his side.

"Federal policymakers must act to level the playing field and make the U.S. film and television industry more competitive on the global stage," Loeb added (read L his full remarks below). "A globally competitive, labor-based incentive for U.S. production that supplements state incentives is essential to return and maintain film and television jobs in America.

"We must ensure that the American film industry is not sacrificed for corporate scale and control," the Future Film Coalition's Deluca said to the assembled politicians and onlookers. "A stronger Hollywood is built not through consolidation, but through competition, fair markets, and policies that sustain independent storytelling."

As various speakers differed over whether it was too late to turn things around, as well as the prospects of AI, Schiff noted the recent loss of more than 41,000 industry jobs in L.A. County and how 45% of American TV and film production was shot outside the country in 2025.

Looking at the importance of state programs and a proposed 15%-19% federal program, Emmy winner Wyle added: "It is vital to the strength of our industry and our city to support these incentives. It's an investment on our city's most precious commodity and biggest asset. It's an investment in our people." (Read his full remarks below.)

"It's going to be all about the dollars," Loeb said, cutting to the chase of a federal film/TV incentive program. "It's all about money at the end of the day."

The Hollywood Reporter: The U.S. Has Been Losing Movie and TV Production for Years. Where Have Lawmakers Been?

A few numbers to consider when thinking about the current state of Hollywood: Nearly half of all film and scripted series shot outside the United States last year; Los Angeles County lost more than 42,000 entertainment jobs from 2022 to 2024; and Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery made just 15 theatrical movies combined that filmed in the country over the last two years.

The narrative that the U.S. is losing its grip as the production capital of the world took centerstage at a hearing on Friday in Burbank City Hall convened by Sen. Adam Schiff, who's looking to build support for a federal tax incentive to bring jobs back stateside. "The urgency cannot be greater," he said, before proceeding to call out "unprecedented consolidation" in Hollywood as Paramount Skydance looks to acquire Warner Bros.

While the hearing was representative of the many issues plaguing the entertainment industry and Los Angeles-based film community, it also highlighted the lack of clarity and urgency by the federal government, state and city in how to address them. For years, observers have been ringing alarm bells of consolidation in Hollywood and the flight of productions to other countries for more generous filming subsidies. Workers in the industry, particularly those in L.A., are now paying the price.

"We're always reacting," said Rep. Lou Correa. "We're not ahead of curve here. It's going to hurt us."

Up first, The Pitt star and executive producer Noah Wyle talked up the significance of instituting a federal tax incentive scheme. His show is "proof of concept," he said, that productions will return to the U.S. if more subsidies are offered.

"It is vital to the strength of the industry and city to support these incentives," Wyle added. "It's an investment in the city's most precious commodity and asset. it's an investment in its people."

A closer look at The Pitt's financials: With a 20 percent tax credit from California, the show got a rebate of roughly $760,000 per episode. That lowered its total first season spend from roughly $100 million to $88 million, a difference of the cost of roughly two episodes.

To some, film incentives are seen as an engine for jobs creation. When a production comes to town, it's not just the crew members, hair stylists and electricians on the set that are hired. Money trickles down to workers from caterers to carpenters to dry cleaners.

IATSE has long advocated for a federal film and TV tax credit. While state subsidies are helpful, president Matt Loeb said, they're not enough. "Without a comprehensive federal policy response, the U.S. risks turning its back on a signature American industry," he added.

Since 2022, employment for below-the-line workers is down 45 million hours, according to the union. Over the same period, the U.S.'s share of global production dropped from 52 percent to 38 percent. Most major studio tentpoles - the kind that bring bucks - now shoot in the U.K.

One question that's emerged since Paramount's proposed deal to acquire Warner Bros. is where it will shoot the 30 movies per year the studios committed to producing. It likely won't be in the U.S. without a federal subsidy, according to Loeb.

"A commitment to 30 pictures doesn't mean anything unless they're done here," he said.

Still, he observed that it's not too late, explaining that "they moved that fast and they can come back that fast."

Los Angeles Times: California's film and TV tax credit is working, but federal help is needed, lawmakers say

California's economy might see a boost from the state's expanded film tax credits, but local lawmakers say it's not enough.

Despite Gov. Gavin Newsom authorizing a $750-million film and TV tax credit program last summer, the impending merger between Paramount and Warner Bros., and the projected budget cuts that are expected to follow, has reignited fears about Hollywood jobs and U.S.-based productions.

"State programs cannot simply substitute for the kind of global, federal and competitive tax incentives that are needed to bring production back to American soil and stop its offshoring," U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said during a news conference Friday morning.

"We must act, and the urgency could not be greater," he said. He revealed he is working on a bipartisan federal film incentive proposal that would be competitive with what other countries are offering for film productions.

He said the program isn't about Hollywood's stars; it's about the jobs that productions create, including roles for set designers, carpenters and lighting crews.

"These are the people who make that magic happen. We want to keep those jobs here, and many of us are deeply concerned about what this potential merger will do to those jobs," Schiff said.

Earlier this week, the California Film Commission revealed that 16 shows had recently received tax credits for filming in the state. The projects represent $871 million in qualified in-state spending and are expected to generate $1.3 billion in economic activity in California. Schiff said the state tax credit has generated more than $29.1 billion in motion picture production wages and supported more than 220,000 jobs.

Even as shows start to see gains in Southern California, Los Angeles film activity was still down 13.2% from July through September when compared with the same period in 2024. The downward trend extends the loss of 42,000 jobs in L.A. between 2022 and 2024, the continued suffering of local sound stages and the offshoring of productions internationally.

"Federal policymakers must act to level the playing field and make the U.S. film and television industry more competitive on the global stage," said Matthew Loeb, the president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. "A globally competitive labor-based and tax incentive is. For us, production that supplements state incentives is essential to return and maintain film and television jobs in America."

HBO Max's medical drama "The Pitt" is filmed at one of Warner Bros. soundstages in Burbank and it's one of the shows benefiting from California's tax incentive.

Noah Wyle, the star and executive producer of the show, said during the news conference that "it's really hard to shoot a TV show in Los Angeles, and it's really expensive, prohibitively" - so adopting an economic model that allows productions to take full advantage of the California tax incentive was essential to "The Pitt" filming in L.A.

"As an Angeleno with generational roots to this city and as a seasoned member of its creative community, advocacy for Los Angeles-based production is something that is very close to my heart," Wyle said.

"'The Pitt' has blessedly become proof of that speculative concept. I'm happy to report we'll commence shooting season three this summer, and that a rising tide has indeed lifted all boats in season one under the 3.0 tax program," he added.

The show received a 20% tax rebate on many above-the-line costs. The budget for one episode was approximately $6.6 million, so the show received a rebate of about $760,000 per episode. By the end of season one, the production was able to save over $11 million. Wyle estimated that the first season of "The Pitt" contributed around $125 million toward California's gross domestic product.

Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), who is working with Schiff on production tax incentives, said that because California is already seeing benefits from the current program, there's no reason it wouldn't work nationally. Friedman added that tax incentives are a common practice among many industries in the U.S.

"Hollywood is not asking for special treatment. Whether it is computer chips, the energy sector or pharmaceuticals, this is something that is standard in the United States," said Friedman. "In terms of our nation, Hollywood and its ability to tell the story of America, it is something worth saving."

Associated Press: Noah Wyle tells hearing that 'The Pitt' shows TV and film production in the US can be revived

Burbank, Calif. - "The Pitt" has won praise - and a gurney full of Emmys - for bringing a dose of classic episodic TV to the prestige streaming era.

Its star, executive producer and sometimes director Noah Wyle said Friday that the HBO Max hospital series is also a throwback of a different sort - it actually shoots in Hollywood at a time when film and television production has shifted to other places with more favorable economic conditions. Wyle said "The Pitt," which won the Emmy for best drama for last year's first season, is "proof of concept" that the model can work.

Wyle spoke at a hearing organized by California Sen. Adam Schiff held at City Hall in Burbank, the Los Angeles-adjacent city that is home to most major studios, including the Warner Bros. lot where "The Pitt" shoots.

"I was asked to participate in today's hearing to tell a success story," Wyle said. "I'm happy to report we'll commence shooting season three this summer, and that a rising tide has indeed lifted all boats."

Wyle said California's recent tax breaks for production made making the series in Burbank possible. He said the show's first season brought nearly 600 production jobs, and its ripple effects brought $125 million to the state economy.

"That is proof of concept," he said. "That is replicable. And it is vital to the strength of our industry and to our city to support these incentives."

Wyle, 54, played a central character on NBC's "ER" from 1994 to 2009. His return to a Hollywood hospital - fictionally in Pittsburgh - with "The Pitt" won him an Emmy for best actor in a drama.

Lean years came in between, when he had to go the increasingly far-off places smaller roles took him.

"I'll speak from personal experience and say that I haven't slept in my own bed in 15 years while I've been working as an actor. Since the end of 'ER,'" Wyle said. "It's hard on families, and I can speak to that. It is hard to fracture your industry that way."

Schiff and other members of Congress who spoke said they are working on nationalizing production tax breaks that states have instituted.

U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman, whose district includes Burbank and its studios, addressed objections to cozy treatment for a business snuggled in wealth.

"We give tax credits to many industries. Hollywood is not asking for special treatment," she said. "This is something that is standard across the United States for industries that we have determined that we care about."

Matthew Loeb, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which represents most behind-the-scenes crew members, lamented Marvel recently moving its production hub from Georgia to England.

But he said the same project-by-project production model that can be difficult for his members can make change more possible. It's not as hard for film to come back as it might be for other industries.

Paramount's pending acquisition of Warner Bros. was a running theme, with all expressing worry that its consolidation will mean loss of production and jobs

"This merger could define whether Los Angeles remains the entertainment capital of the world or becomes an afterthought," Friedman said.

Paramount leaders have given a broad commitment to making 15 major motion pictures for both studios each year. That was welcomed, but skeptically.

"The big missing piece is that there is no commitment about where they're going to shoot 30 films," Loeb said.

Wyle,Schiff and others emphasized the jobs that thrive around entertainment entities, from hotel workers to equipment vendors to food servers to dry cleaners.

"All those livelihoods are tied to a production shop setting up in their community," Schiff said.

U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove said workers of all sorts from her Los Angeles County district have an interest in Hollywood thriving.

"After my acupuncturist took the needles out of my back, she said, 'Can you do anything to help bring back entertainment jobs?'" Kamlager-Dove said.

CBS LA: Sen. Schiff's Entertainment Industry Hearing

Harvey: Los Angeles used to be the heartbeat of the movie industry, but it's been facing challenges over the years.

Shahbazi: As CBS LA's Joy Benedict explains tonight, some actors, including "The Pitt" star Noah Wyle, are hoping to rewrite the future of the business during a hearing in Burbank.

Benedict: They are the blockbusters America loves, but some in the film industry are concerned that Hollywood marriages are leading to the economy's divorce.

Brown: I've lost my health insurance. I've basically got five days to up with some rent money.

Benedict: Jessica Brown attended a spotlight hearing at Burbank City Hall by California Senator Adam Schiff. She and many here are concerned about the expected merger of Paramount and Warner Brothers, and what it could mean to the entertainment industry.

Schiff: This is not a Hollywood backlot story. It's a Main Street story.

Benedict: Schiff and Representatives Laura Friedman, Lou Correa, and Sydney Kamlager-Dove engaged in a panel discussion with industry leaders about what the merger could do.

Acosta: That would put CNN, together with CBS and TikTok, under the control or influence of one family that is closely aligned with the White House.

Schiff: The jobs are hugely important, but also, we are literally laying off the independence of the media. We are seeing the federal government exercise a level of censorship that we've never experienced in this country.

Benedict: At issue: news consolidation and a reduction in entertainment production.

Schiff: With past studio mergers, we've seen significant layoffs. We don't want to see another wave of layoffs in the industry.

Benedict: Senator Schiff is in the process of putting together a bill for a federal film incentive to offer tax breaks to productions in the U.S., as he says last year, 45% of all scripted shows and films were shot overseas.

Wyle: I haven't slept in my own bed in 15 years while I've been working as an actor, since the end of ER.

Benedict: And although many here are calling for change, it's not clear what can be done, at least not fast enough to help the industry and the workers struggling to simply keep doing what they love.

Dinsmoor: The less competition, the less healthy it's going to be.

Brown: This was not my reality two years ago. Two years ago, I was thriving, on just background acting.

Benedict: Paramount Skydance entered into a merger agreement to buy Warner Brothers at the end of February. That agreement is currently working its way through the regulatory process. CBS News, a product of Paramount Skydance, announced significant layoffs today.

ABC7 LA: Sen. Schiff Hosts Film and TV Hearing

Lara: How to Keep Hollywood in Hollywood. That was the focus of a hearing hosted by Senator Adam Schiff today.

Ono: It addressed everything from runaway production to media company consolidation, and now to Carlos Granda who is live in Burbank with the story. Carlos.

Granda: Well, that's right, lawmakers and media executives gathered for that hearing to discuss the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Brothers, which you see right there behind me. It's a deal that could reshape the media landscape. The media industry hearing was held in Burbank, a city that is home to several TV and movie studios.

Schiff: This industry supports nearly 800,000 jobs.

Granda: This comes as Paramount Skydance, which owns CBS, is buying Warner Brothers, which owns CNN, and their concerns about keeping jobs in Southern California.

Wyle: Admittedly, it's really hard to shoot a TV show in Los Angeles.

Granda: Actor Noah Wyle raised concerns that fewer studios could mean fewer opportunities.

Wyle: Over the last six years, the aggregate effect of projects leaving the state in search of tax credits, the pandemic and last year's fires has been a near cratering of our once thriving industry. We lost 42,000 film and TV jobs in LA County.

Granda: Some lawmakers are pushing for a film tax credit nationwide to keep production in the United States.

Friedman: People in LA are really concerned about what this merger means. Two of the main legacy studios now merging together with the buyer talking about efficiencies, which we know means layoffs.

Granda: And all of this comes as CBS, which is owned by Paramount, announced layoffs across the company. After 100 years, CBS Radio would be shut down.

Schiff: How are we to expect that if CNN is acquired by the same parent, that we won't see another round of layoffs and even more layoffs if there's some kind of a merger between those news entities.

Granda: And today's hearing is part of an ongoing review process that could take months.

NBC4 LA: Schiff Says Paramount Merger Threatens Independent News

Nolan: […] What's the biggest concern with the takeover by Warner Brother Discovery by Paramount?

Schiff: Well, I think it's two things. One, it could be the loss of thousands and thousands of jobs. It could mean more production heading outside the country. But there is also a grave risk, and we heard it today from Jim Acosta, that the editorial and news content at CNN will no longer be independent. That it will be essentially jaundiced to try to be favorable to the president. That that was the price of this merger for the administration.

Nolan: Right, and that's because of David Ellison, the president of Paramount, Larry Ellison, his father, being friends with the president, essentially.

Schiff: Not just friends but, reportedly, promises that were made. And of course, the president, as well as Secretary Hegseth have made it very clear they understand, their own understanding, is that this merger is going to change CNN to make it more favorable to them, and we've already seen them criticize coverage by the media of the war in Iran. We've seen the FCC chair in a completely improper, and I would say, beyond that, illegal way, attempt to censor the media by threatening their licenses if they don't cover the war more favorably. This is how democracies come to an end, and that is a profound concern too. That is what will happen to the editorial independence in reporting in places like CNN and CBS. […]

Spectrum News 1: Lawmakers Move to Keep Hollywood Jobs Local

Collins: Film and TV productions in LA have been in steady decline. To help revitalize Hollywood, state and local lawmakers are pushing for new incentives to keep studios from taking their projects elsewhere. This, as the Paramount, Warner Brothers mega merger looms large. Ryan Thompson was at today's hearing with Senator Adam Schiff and industry figures as they look at the path ahead.

Thompson: Like many in Hollywood, Will Dinsmoor can't help but check his phone, hoping for news about an audition that could change everything.

Dinsmoor: It is sparse right now.

Thompson: Since moving to California, the SAG-AFTRA union member has to struggled to book work.

Dinsmoor: A couple of short films here and there.

Thompson: And worries that the pending merger of Hollywood giants Warner Brothers and Paramount could make it even harder.

Dinsmoor: With consolidation, we'll have less jobs, less opportunity, less projects that, not just above the line like myself and directors and all that, but just below the line, like production assistance, gaffers, hair and makeup.

Thompson: Both in front and behind the camera, many in Hollywood are watching that $111 billion dollar acquisition closely, after 2025 saw sharp declines in production that put total shoot days on par with pandemic-era lows, according to Film LA. This week, Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison tried to reassure California lawmakers, promising the combined company will put out 30 movies a year and will help preserve good jobs and expand opportunities for workers in California and in the United States. But two recipients of that letter, Senator Adam Schiff and Representative Laura Friedman, still expressed skepticism at the deal, and Ellison's ownership, during a Friday hearing focused on Hollywood.

Schiff: Paramount CEO David Ellison has since responded with a number of pledges, but many of them lack specificity, and we intend to examine them carefully.

Friedman: Paramount's projecting $6 billion in "synergies," and we know what that word means: it means cuts, it means layoffs, and LA workers are going to feel that first. […]

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