We’ve been thinking about the state of the M&E industry quite a bit lately and, more importantly, the roles California and Hollywood will play in its growth and prosperity. We’ve lived in California nearly all of our adult life, working on the technology underpinnings of the industry nearly all this time and closely involved at all levels with folks who bring story ideas to life.
Yes, there are a lot of things about the state that makes it a prime industry location – great vibes, Mediterranean climate, outdoor lifestyle, and a fantastic diverse culture. Then there’s Hollywood, a place that was built on making the industry feel grand, historical and extremely important. Movies like La La Land, a tale about chasing the beauty of art and falling in love under the California sun, or Once Upon a Time in Hollywood that turned history into a marvelous fairytale.
Look behind the storylines, and it’s expensive to live here, seriously expensive – taxes are high, and there are myriad regulations (state, county, local) that make things difficult to get stuff done, especially for the industry that has the creative ability to make anyplace look like somewhere else.