Hearing Pushes Tax Incentives for Hollywood Revival

Burbank, California, saw a push Friday to revive film and television production in Hollywood, as actor and producer Noah Wyle testified at a congressional hearing that his HBO Max series "The Pitt" demonstrates the viability of local shooting thanks to state tax incentives.

Organized by California Sen. Adam Schiff at City Hall in this Los Angeles-adjacent hub of major studios, the event highlighted efforts to counter the migration of productions to locations with lower costs. Wyle, who stars in, executive produces and occasionally directs the hospital drama set in Pittsburgh but filmed at Warner Bros. studios, described the show as a rare holdout in an industry increasingly filming abroad or in other states. "The Pitt," which earned an Emmy for outstanding drama series for its first season last year, also brought Wyle a win for lead actor in a drama.

"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." He credited California's recent production tax credits with enabling the Burbank filming, noting that the first season...