President Donald Trump appointed actors Jon Voight, Sylvester Stallone, and Mel Gibson as "special ambassadors" to address the decline of Hollywood's film production. Despite Trump's claims that his envoys would bring "lost business back," their actual impact has been minimal, raising questions about the initiative's effectiveness.
Three months after the appointments, industry players and officials report little to no contact with the ambassadors. Organizations like Stay in LA and the California Film Commission have attempted to reach out, with limited success. Even members of Congress remain unaware of any significant actions taken by the ambassadors. The White House declined to comment on the matter.
California's film industry faces numerous challenges:
The 22.4% drop in on-location production in the first quarter of the year highlights these challenges.
While the three actors are known supporters of Trump, their involvement in production issues has been minimal. Their appointments were met with surprise and skepticism within the industry, particularly given their lack of experience in navigating tax incentives and regulations.
Mel Gibson commented on the appointment via statement, Jon Voight appointed a special advisor, and Sylvester Stallone and Jon Voight made no public statements.
The situation has, however, sparked renewed calls for federal tax credits to bolster the American film industry and make it more competitive. Several industry figures and representatives believe that federal intervention is essential to prevent further loss of productions to other states and countries.
The overall situation remains uncertain. The effectiveness of Trump's initiative is highly questionable, and the future of the American film industry continues to hinge on resolving the issues of competition and the need for federal support.