The allure of Hollywood, once synonymous with filmmaking, is facing a significant challenge: production flight. A growing trend sees American-set productions, such as the upcoming USA Network series “The Rainmaker,” choosing international locations like Ireland as their filming destination. This shift raises critical questions about the future of the US film industry and signals a significant change in the global landscape of movie and television production.
The Charleston Connection: Ireland as a Stand-In
While no specific film titled “A Charleston Story” filmed in Ireland has been identified, the broader phenomenon is exemplified by productions like “The Rainmaker,” a USA Network series set in Charleston, South Carolina, but filmed in Ireland. According to an August 2025 report in the Charleston City Paper, “The Rainmaker” features familiar Charleston landmarks, including downtown Charleston, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, and the Morrison Yard Office, despite being produced across the Atlantic. This illustrates a key aspect of the trend: productions are increasingly willing to film narratives set in the US in other countries.
Who is Driving the Change?
This shift involves major production companies and studios that are increasingly looking beyond traditional Hollywood hubs. The USA Network, for instance, is behind “The Rainmaker.” As noted in a 2025 YouTube video by Brian Ralston, industry professionals, including crew members, actors, and producers, are directly impacted by these decisions, often finding themselves working in international locations. The trend impacts everyone from studio executives making financial decisions to the local businesses that support film crews on location.
The Timeline of the Exodus
The movement of film production out of the US has been an ongoing process for decades, often referred to as “runaway production,” as reported by FilmLA back in 2014. However, it has intensified in recent years, particularly in the wake of the pandemic and Hollywood strikes. The Financial Post noted in December 2024 that Hollywood is struggling to recover its dominance in the film and TV industry. Productions like “The Rainmaker,” highlighted in August 2025, serve as contemporary examples of this accelerating trend.
Mapping the New Geography of Filmmaking
While the narratives are often set in the United States, such as Charleston, South Carolina, the actual filming increasingly takes place in countries like Ireland. Ireland, with cities like Dublin and Galway, has become a prominent destination for international productions. As discussed in a 2025 YouTube video, this geographical shift is reshaping the industry, creating new hubs for filmmaking while simultaneously impacting established centers like Los Angeles.
Financial Incentives: The Prime Driver
The primary driver behind this exodus is undeniably financial. Ireland offers substantial incentives, most notably the Section 481 tax credit. According to an April 2025 article, this provides a refundable credit of up to 32% to filmmakers. This is a significant draw for studios grappling with ballooning production costs. Beyond tax credits, overall production expenses in Ireland, including equipment rental, location fees, and crew rates, are often lower than in the US. As noted by FilmTake in November 2024, these financial advantages make international locations increasingly attractive.
Regulatory Landscape and Remote Work
The regulatory landscape also plays a role. The environment in Ireland is often perceived as more flexible, with fewer bureaucratic hurdles and different union structures compared to the complex demands and costs associated with guilds and unions in the US. Furthermore, some experts point to the ability to work remotely due to technological advancements as a factor, reducing the need for all infrastructure to be concentrated in one place.
The Impact on the US Film Industry
The impact on the US film industry is significant and concerning. Los Angeles, historically the epicenter of filmmaking, is experiencing plummeting production levels, leading to industry layoffs and a “creative drain”. As reported by the Financial Post in December 2024, Hollywood is getting left behind in the recovering film and TV industry. The state of California, despite offering its own tax credit programs, has seen its share of domestic production decline, and many projects that don’t receive California tax credits opt to film out of state.
Job Losses and Economic Repercussions
This “offshoring” of production leads to fewer jobs for American crew members, reduced income for small businesses that support the industry, and decreased tax revenues for states. While other countries are building soundstages and attracting talent, the US, particularly California, is struggling to retain its film workforce and maintain its once-dominant position in global film production. The Reddit forum r/FilmIndustryLA contains anecdotal evidence of this trend, with users discussing the challenges of finding work in a shrinking local industry, as noted in August 2024.
The Future of Filmmaking: A Globalized Industry
The trend of productions, even those set in American locales, being filmed overseas underscores a fundamental shift in the film industry. Driven by financial incentives, a more flexible regulatory environment, and technological advancements, studios are increasingly looking beyond Hollywood. This globalization of filmmaking presents both challenges and opportunities for the US film industry. To remain competitive, the US may need to re-evaluate its policies and incentives to attract and retain film productions, ensuring the continued vitality of its creative economy.
