The glitz and glamour of Hollywood are facing a gritty reality check, and the drama is spilling off the screen and into the race for Los Angeles Mayor. What started as a struggle for local crew members to find work has exploded into a viral political flashpoint, thanks to a “Baywatch” reboot and an unlikely anti-establishment challenger: reality TV veteran Spencer Pratt.
For decades, L.A. was the undisputed capital of the screen. But in a post-streaming-bust world, the city is losing its grip. Recent data shows a staggering decline in local filming: TV production ended at more than percent below the five-year average, while feature films dropped by over percent. With jobs fleeing to Vancouver and London, the “Baywatch” revival—which nabbed $ million in tax credits to shoot at Venice Beach—was supposed to be a win. Instead, it became a symbol of red-tape frustration.
Spencer Pratt Enters the Chat
While Mayor Karen Bass is touting her administration’s efforts to “clear bureaucratic barriers,” her opponent Spencer Pratt is using his massive online platform to scorched-earth her record. In a biting April Substack post that quickly made the rounds on X and TikTok, the “The Hills” alum-turned-influencer slammed the city’s permitting office, FilmLA.
“All of my industry friends have the same complaints: permits arrive at p.m. the night before a shoot, loaded with surprise fees,” Pratt wrote. He went on to list the “add-ons” for everything from drones to lane closures, claiming other cities “prioritize filmmakers” while “Los Angeles treats them like nuisances.”
Pratt, who is running as an outsider after his own home was lost in a wildfire, is promising a total overhaul. His viral policy list includes slashing location fees in half and creating a “dedicated concierge team” to stop productions from being stalled by city hall.
The Mayor Strikes Back
Mayor Karen Bass isn’t sitting idly by as the “Baywatch” blunder fuels her rivals. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bass defended her record, insisting she has worked hand-in-hand with the industry.
“Everything I’ve done in terms of the industry has been done with them at the table,” Bass said. She admitted that FilmLA “could be improved” and is “not as effective as it should be,” but she stood by her directives to make iconic spots like the Griffith Observatory more affordable.
However, the pressure is mounting from all sides. Insurgent progressive candidate Nithya Raman also joined the fray on X, calling the loss of , industry jobs a sign that the city has treated Hollywood as an “inconvenience rather than an asset.”
Hollywood’s Financial Reality
The stakes go beyond political points. During a recent CBS press briefing, Paramount TV media chair George Cheeks made it clear that while they want to stay in California, the “financial model” is what matters. Currently, states like Georgia and New York offer more generous incentives, and even with Governor Gavin Newsom raising California’s incentive cap to $ million, L.A. is still playing catch-up.
Industry insiders are closely watching these mayoral promises. Councilman Adrin Nazarian has already pushed through measures to speed up soundstage certification and allow free “microshoots” for small crews. But for many workers in the Valley and Hollywood Hills, the urgency feels overdue.
As the campaign heats up, the question remains: Can a city built on movies actually save its own industry? Whether it’s the polished policy of Mayor Bass or the viral disruption of Spencer Pratt, the next L.A. Mayor will have to prove that the “Baywatch” beach isn’t just a set, but a viable workplace for the thousands of Angelenos who call this industry home.
