Prison Break’s California Comeback: What It Says About LA’s TV Production Future

The announcement that the reboot of 2000s crime drama Prison Break will shoot in Los Angeles, thanks to nearly $19 million in tax credits, is being hailed as a major boost for local television production. The decision marks a significant shift from the show’s initial pilot shoot in West Virginia last year.

Behind this development lies a complex story about the changing landscape of Hollywood and LA’s place within it. While the California tax credit’s enticing offer may seem like a natural draw, it raises questions about the state’s ability to lure big productions. Is it simply a matter of throwing money at the problem, or are there deeper structural issues at play?

LA’s TV production woes were largely self-inflicted due to the city’s notoriously high costs and congested streets. However, with recent tax credits encouraging studios to take advantage of California’s more favorable shooting conditions, the city may finally be addressing its previous shortcomings.

The $18.9 million in tax credits offered to Prison Break is part of a larger trend. The show’s projected spend of $53.2 million across 63 shooting days will create hundreds of jobs for cast and crew members – a welcome boost for the local economy. This influx of new projects also suggests that LA may be able to sustain a steady flow of productions, rather than just experiencing a flash in the pan.

The California Film Commission’s decision to award tax credits to multiple productions from 20th Television, including High Potential and Family Guy spinoff Stewie, indicates a broader strategy. By expanding eligible categories for tax credits, the state is trying to attract more types of projects – animation, in particular, seems to be benefiting.

However, this approach has its critics. Some argue that it will lead to a homogenization of LA’s production landscape, with too many shows catering to the same audience and relying on formulaic storytelling. Others worry about the impact on independent filmmakers who may find themselves priced out of the market.

The Prison Break reboot is set in the same world as its predecessor but follows new characters – a deliberate choice to attract a fresh audience. This decision raises questions about the show’s creators’ vision for the series: are they trying to recapture the magic of the original or forge their own path?

LA’s production levels have begun to trend upwards, with a 10 percent increase in shoot days at the start of the year being a welcome sign. Shows like Baywatch and Universal Basic Guys continue to film in the region, suggesting that LA is adapting to changing industry trends.

However, the future remains uncertain, particularly with Netflix nearing a deal to buy the production campus at Radford Studio Center. This raises questions about what this means for LA’s TV production infrastructure: will it become even more geared towards serving the streaming giant’s needs, or will it maintain its independence?

Ultimately, Prison Break’s California comeback is just one small part of a larger story. It highlights LA’s resilience and ability to adapt in the face of changing industry trends – but also raises questions about what this means for the future of TV production in the region.