Podcast Summary:
The Town with Matthew Belloni
Episode: Can D.C. Save Hollywood? Senator Adam Schiff on Bringing Production Home
Date: March 27, 2026
Host: Matthew Belloni
Guest: Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA)
Overview
This episode explores the crisis facing Hollywood as more film and TV production leaves Los Angeles and the U.S. for other states and countries, driven by a combination of tax incentive competition, consolidation, and industry upheaval. Host Matthew Belloni interviews Senator Adam Schiff, a longtime advocate for the entertainment industry, about his push for a federal production tax credit to keep jobs and creativity in America. The episode also delves into topical issues concerning state incentives, the impact of the Warner Bros/Paramount merger, and California’s political response to the exodus.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Hollywood’s Production Crisis
- LA County lost over 42,000 industry jobs between 2022 and 2024, not including the broader economic “halo effect” (00:33).
- Nearly half (45%) of American film and scripted series were shot internationally by 2024.
- U.S. states — and especially foreign territories like the UK — offer far more generous incentives than California.
Notable Quote:
"Hollywood doesn't feel like Hollywood anymore."
— Matthew Belloni (00:33)
2. Federal Tax Incentive Proposal
History and Political Challenges
- For 25 years, there’s been reluctance in D.C. to support “Hollywood”—perceived as helping “rich Hollywood liberals,” not middle-class jobs (04:52).
- Previous efforts for a federal tax credit were not bipartisan; Democrats led with little Republican support.
Current Efforts
- Schiff’s new bill would introduce a federal tax credit:
- Baseline: 15% of qualified expenditures, additive to state credits, with potential for additional incentives (08:12).
- Modeled to mirror California’s system but enhance competitiveness with the UK and other generous jurisdictions.
- aims to support “below the line” workers (grips, carpenters, designers, etc.), not just stars.
Bipartisanship & White House Engagement
- True movement requires bipartisan support and likely presidential endorsement (09:38).
- Republicans are hesitant, generally waiting for the “white smoke from the Vatican” — i.e., Trump’s explicit backing (09:38).
Notable Quotes:
"We really need a federal tax incentive to be competitive, otherwise it's going to be gone."
— Adam Schiff (09:10)
"I've made it clear to everybody in the industry, I don't care whose name is on this—let's just get it done."
— Adam Schiff (11:04)
3. California’s Competitive Disadvantage
- California’s state incentive cap increased, but is still oversubscribed and less generous than rivals (12:38).
- Unlike places like Georgia or UK, California excludes “above the line” salaries (directors, stars, writers) from eligibility.
- State lawmakers remain hesitant, wrongly framing incentives as giveaways for the wealthy rather than necessary economic development.
Notable Quote:
"It's unbelievable...that it's cheaper to shoot an L.A. set movie in New York."
— Matthew Belloni (11:36)
"Without these tax credits, this business just leaves. That leaves us with less tax revenues."
— Adam Schiff (13:22)
4. Educating National Policymakers
- Schiff focuses on Congressional education: "Pinholing people on the Senate floor" to stress the economic stakes nationwide (15:00).
- The recent Burbank hearing aimed to highlight job loss and the industry’s broader significance.
5. Industry Mergers & Employment Threats
- The pending Warner Bros/Paramount/Skydance merger is especially worrisome:
- Redundant jobs, massive debt, and pressure for “billions” in cost savings signal major layoffs.
- Letter from David Ellison (Skydance) gave scant details on job preservation promises (18:31).
Notable Quotes:
"I'm deeply skeptical, and every prior merger in the industry gives us grounds to be skeptical."
— Adam Schiff (18:31)
"We may end up with the worst of all worlds in this sense...more overlap in what they do and how they do it, which means more potential for layoffs."
— Adam Schiff (19:06)
- Congressional and state attorney general oversight is the main tool for accountability, but federal ability to block mergers is limited under current priorities (20:04).
- Schiff warns of potential future DOJ action if there’s evidence of corruption or improper influence (23:25).
6. Political Realism and Frustration
- Many industry insiders have “lost faith” in both state and local officials’ commitment or ability to fix the jobs crisis.
- Local incentives are often minimal (“waiving fees at Griffith Park”).
- Schiff avoids comment on LA Mayor Karen Bass, focuses on the need for systemic reform—“We gotta get stuff done...make it easy and doable and affordable to do business in California.” (25:09)
7. The California Governor's Race and Democratic Paralysis
- Schiff endorses Eric Swalwell (26:39), praises his practicality but admits the party has historically been paralyzed by overregulation.
- Crowd of Democratic candidates threatens to split the vote and yield a Republican win via the “jungle primary” system (28:17).
- If polling doesn't improve for minor candidates, Schiff advocates the party coalesce behind one or two frontrunners to avoid being shut out (28:27).
8. Desperation for Answers
- Suggests if a Republican ran on Hollywood-friendly reforms, desperate industry professionals might cross party lines (29:03).
- Schiff stresses the need to make business easier, but warns some Republican candidates are “very extreme” on other issues.
9. A Tipping Point for LA’s Entertainment Industry
- Concern mirrors Detroit’s industrial collapse. Schiff says LA is more resilient but acknowledges "we're at a tipping point and maybe even past a tipping point," citing staggering job losses and the flight of productions (30:31).
Notable Quotes:
"I'm going to be doing everything I can to make sure we get that response. We save and protect... this industry that has produced such wonderful iconic memories for all of us, but also...provided such a great livelihood for people. It should be a no-brainer."
— Adam Schiff (30:31)
- Belloni notes widespread skepticism that meaningful action will occur given years of setback and political inertia (31:26).
Notable Quotes:
"The skepticism has been well placed for years. But there's nothing better in my line of work...than upsetting people's expectations in a positive way."
— Adam Schiff (31:46)
Memorable Moments & Timestamps
- Intro to Hollywood’s crisis & data on job loss (00:33–02:30)
- Schiff on Senate/White House reluctance and political optics (04:07–05:45)
- Federal tax incentive specifics & international competition (07:25–09:18)
- Bipartisanship challenge: waiting for a Trump endorsement (09:38–10:11)
- State incentives: why California can’t compete (12:38–14:24)
- Burbank hearing and member education tactics (15:00–15:39)
- Mergers: skepticism, job loss and Ellison correspondence (18:05–19:53)
- Local frustrations: California’s inability to act (24:07–25:09)
- Governor's race, fear of split vote & party paralysis (27:55–29:03)
- Is LA the next Detroit? The tipping point analogy (30:07–31:26)
- Belloni’s closing skepticism, Schiff’s optimism (31:26–32:01)
Conclusion
In this candid, detailed episode, Senator Schiff outlines both the urgency and complexity of keeping Hollywood jobs in California and the U.S. The interplay of federal, state, and industry politics—complicated by public misperceptions, partisan divisions, and merger anxiety—sets the backdrop for why meaningful change has lagged. Schiff is advocating for a pragmatic, bipartisan path forward, using the threat of a declining entertainment economy as a rallying cry, but acknowledges skepticism and political headwinds remain strong. Belloni challenges Schiff throughout with real-world frustrations from producers and industry insiders, grounding the policy talk in the lived experience of Hollywood’s mounting existential threat.