It's Giving...Thanks? (Recap: November)

November in Hollywood felt like one collective deep breath — the kind you take when the year winds down, the deadlines ease up, and even the city itself seems to go, “Okay, pause.” And with all the turbulence we’ve survived — strikes, studio mergers, AI panic — it’s tempting to look back and think, Why did it have to be so messy?

But entering the holiday season, a quieter thought starts creeping in: Was there actually something to be grateful for in all that mess?

Because the truth is, the industry is not collapsing — it’s recalibrating. It’s reorganizing with more intention. And the slowdown, paired with the shift, is beginning to give us clarity we genuinely need. So as productions wind down and people start flying home for tamales, turkey, hallacas or whatever your holiday plate looks like, it feels like the right time to look back at the "mess" and see how we can move forward in 2026.

The Map Is Expanding (and you can too)

Despite the turbulence of the past few years, Los Angeles remains one of the most active production hubs for U.S.-produced, English-language scripted content. FilmLA’s most recent Scripted Content Study reported that about 18.3% of all first-run U.S. scripted films and TV series released in 2024 were shot in the L.A. region. That’s still more than any other individual production center — but it’s also a noticeable drop from L.A.’s pre-pandemic share.

And that’s the real story: the map is expanding.

Other regions in the U.S. and internationally have strengthened their incentives, infrastructure, and crew bases, meaning actors and filmmakers are no longer tethered to Los Angeles in the way they once were. The industry is decentralizing — not away from L.A., but outward from it — creating a wider landscape of opportunities across Georgia, New York, Canada, the UK, and increasingly, production hubs in Europe and Asia.

Even so, there are encouraging signs at home. Feature film production in L.A. ticked up by nearly 10% last quarter, driven largely by independent filmmakers and California’s expanded tax credits. TV and commercial work may have slowed (which explains why November felt quiet for so many actors), but indie filmmaking is finding its rhythm again. With more incentive-backed features gearing up for early 2026, there’s reason for a grounded, realistic sense of optimism.

L.A. isn’t the sole “center of the universe” anymore — and that might actually be a good thing. The industry’s growth is no longer bound to a single zip code, and that freedom is creating more pathways for artists everywhere.

Studio Shake-ups

Paramount’s massive restructuring dominated studio news this month — thousands of jobs cut, divisions reorganized, leadership shifts all over the place. While the corporate drama isn’t fun to watch, it does signal something important: studios are operating learner and more strategically.

For actors, this means the landscape becomes more targeted. Less clutter, fewer “maybe it’ll stick” projects, more space for shows and films that actually know who they’re for. It’s a reminder that clarity — in your craft, branding, and voice — matters just as much as talent in a shifting industry.

Indie Film: The Real Pulse of the Industry Right Now

Meanwhile, independent film feels more alive than it has in years. AFM’s return to Los Angeles this month brought a sort of cautiously optimistic energy — not loud or flashy, but determined. Indie producers are embracing tighter budgets and sharper storytelling. That constraint is actually forcing more creativity, more specificity, and more performance-driven choices.

The big takeaway is this: indies aren’t trying to appeal to everyone anymore. They’re building with intention — crafting stories for defined audiences, leaning into genres that travel well, and banking on strong performances over spectacle. Horror continues to thrive. International animation and anime-based projects are rising quickly. And micro-budget breakouts like Good Boy are proving that smart concepts and authentic acting still cut through.

For actors, this is the golden takeaway of the month: independent film is where the most organic, genuinely career-changing opportunities live right now. Fewer bells and whistles; more room to shine.

AI: Still a Big Question Mark, Still a Big Conversation

AI remained front and center this month, especially in Marrakech, where Bong Joon-ho half-joked about forming a “military squad” against it. The fear isn’t unfounded — AI tools continue to blur the lines between assistance and replacement — but the general sentiment from filmmakers and actors remains steady: the value of human storytelling is irreplaceable.

Those conversations are shaping policy too. The No FAKES Act is progressing, unions are watching closely, and lawmakers are increasingly acknowledging that digital likeness and voice rights must be protected. It’s still messy, but the boundaries are sharpening.

And So… Is There Really Something to Be Thankful For?

Maybe not in the “the industry is fixed!” way — but in a quieter, more personal way… yes.

Because this year made a lot of actors and filmmakers look inward in a way they haven’t in a long time. It shook the foundations just enough for people to ask themselves: Do I still love this? Why am I doing this? What do I want to create? And those are not small questions. They’re the kind that reroute careers, set boundaries, and bring people back to the kind of storytelling that actually makes them feel alive.

AI also didn’t just scare us — it challenged us. It reminded creatives what is uniquely human in the work we do, while also offering new tools that, when used intentionally, can make indie filmmaking more accessible, more scrappy, and more possible than ever. Studio shake-ups forced everyone to confront what matters and what doesn’t. And the slowdown — as frustrating as it was — gave people space to breathe, reconsider, and reconnect with their craft without the constant pressure of “what’s next?”

And indie film — resilient, stubborn, heart-first indie film — continues to be the place where artists can still take risks, make something honest, and actually feel creative again. That alone is something worth a quiet thank you.

So…

It’s Giving…Thanks?

In its own imperfect way, yes.

Not because everything is better.

But because we’re seeing ourselves, our motivations, and our path a little more clearly.

And sometimes, that personal clarity — not industry certainty — is the thing that keeps an artist moving forward.

Focus of the Month: Reset with Intention

As we enter the holiday season, your focus this month is simple: reset — not by checking out, but by checking in.

This is the season where the industry slows, where quieter days open space for reflection, where you finally get a moment to sit with your creative instincts instead of racing from tape to tape. Use it. Let this be the month where you step back just enough to reconnect with why you’re doing this — not in a dramatic reinvention way, but in a grounded, “let me realign my compass” way.

Spend time with family. Rest. Allow yourself to enjoy this rare pause. But also carve out small, intentional moments to think about your artistic voice, your goals for early 2026, and the creative habits you want to carry into the new year. January is going to ask more of you — in the best possible way — and you’ll step into it stronger if you use December not to hustle, but to reset with purpose.

The holidays are your breath.

The new year will be your launch.

Prepare your mind now, gently, intentionally, so that when the industry wakes back up, you meet it with clarity and momentum.

#stayfocused