Though feature films are often shot in other states and overseas, the study found that the key businesses in packaging movies and providing production, post-production and distribution services are more concentrated in L. A. than ever before.
The result: L. A. is supposed to have a greater share of the nation's employment in motion pictures than it did 20 years ago, and the researchers--UCLA Assistant Professors Michael Storper and Susan Christopherson--say that in effect, "Los Angeles has become the headquarters and technological center for an industrial complex that has the world as its back lot."
Even for films shot on location elsewhere, L. A. supplies a large share of the key services and personnel and most of the pre- and post-production activity, they added. However, they aren't without suggestions for Hollywood to take to keep or increase its share of filming. Among them is the "re-establishment of a motion picture industrial district in Hollywood proper, primarily for small- to medium-sized businesses serving the industry."
The 183-page report is available for $8.50 with checks made payable to "The Regents--University of California" from Publications, Graduate School of Architecture & Planning, UCLA, 405 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles 90024.
