Variety has an article up about how many of the TV pilots are fleeing L.A. to film in other locations such as New York and Canada. Could this be the start of a bigger trend? Is Hollywood losing its grip on the entertainment industry?Obviously, the biggest factor is cost. At first, the expense of filming in New York City didn't quite compute with me, then I read about the 30% tax credit given by the state, along with an additional 5% for filming within the city.
The truth is that with advances in technology, films and movies can now be shot anywhere and people are thinking more about dollars than geography. I still think Hollywood will be the center of the movie world (most of the major studios are around there and, considering the tourist industry surrounding them, it's unlikely that the state of California will want them to leave), but it will be more of a set of phone numbers than a physical location (which is what it has been for a long time).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-11-2009 @ 1:38PM
me said...
The other advantage to New York is the ease of obtaining free film permits from the Mayor's office including free police details. If you don't need exclusive use of the street you don't even need a permit to film in NYC.
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6-12-2009 @ 12:40AM
kip said...
Connecticut also offers a huge tax incentive, rival to New Yorks and has been drawing more and more filing /post production to the area:
http://ct.gov/cct/cwp/view.asp?a=2126&q=317244
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6-11-2009 @ 5:20PM
Ari said...
Brilliant New York is getting rid of the tax credits. Its not the mansion or the streets. Its the costs. Without the tax breaks, studios just rebuild New York in Vancouver or someplace.
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6-12-2009 @ 6:44PM
Sarah said...
Shows are disappearing from Cali, and LA based staff and crews have been having a hard time. Especially with the current economy. Some will relocate to follow their series/films and others don't have that option.
As a viewer I appreciate the diversity of locations. (living in LA I can tell when "New York" is really "The FOX lot") But as an employee - it sucks. And with California as broke as it is... maybe giving out decent tax incentives will bring some much needed work and money back to the state.
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7-06-2009 @ 11:52AM
kit said...
What? Cutting taxes increases business activity? Wait. It's not supposed to work that way.
The film industry are very dominated by Democrats. What are they doing moving their business to locations with lower taxes? That smacks of corporate welfare. And what are those oh-so-politically correct actors doing working on locations which were picked because filming there would mean the company pays LESS to the government.
I thought taxes were good and that the wealthy (large film studios) need to pay MORE in taxes. LOL! What a bunch of hypocrites.
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7-08-2009 @ 3:40PM
detroitmi said...
Michigan's film credits (40% rebate on production costs; 42% in core cities) and comparatively low site costs are luring folks like Clint Eastwood, Drew Barrymore, George Clooney, Hillary Swank and other big names. http://www.michiganfilmoffice.org/
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