Top 10 Movie Cities 2008

MM’s eighth annual countdown of the best places to live, work and make movies

by Jennifer M. Wood | Published January 28, 2008

When working on a project as research-intensive as this one, the word you never want to encounter is “unpredictable.” But as entertainment professionals and consumers alike have lately discovered, that’s an appropriate description for the current state of the film industry. From the writers’ strike, still ongoing at press time, to possible actors’ and directors’ strikes in June, it’s definitely not business as usual.

But we didn’t let those uncertainties get in the way of our reporting for the eighth annual countdown of the best U.S. cities to live, work and make movies. Because the good news is that, historically, some of cinema’s greatest moments have been born in uncertain times and today is still the best day to start thinking seriously about turning the idea rattling around in your left brain into a cinematic landmark. The better news, as this list has come to demonstrate, is that you don’t have to be in Hollywood to make it happen. (In fact, due to a rapid decline in feature film production—down more than 20 percent in the third quarter of 2007 alone—Los Angeles didn’t crack our list for the second year in a row.) But plenty of other cities put up a fight—from areas as far-flung as Stamford, CT to Kauai, HI.

So what criteria determined the final rankings? Well, quality and quantity both carried a lot of weight in terms of the local talent pool, production facilities, educational opportunities, networking events,
film festivals and other screening venues. Enthusiasm—on the part of the local moviemaking community, film office and cineastes—meant something, too. Keeping in mind that this is a story about
independent moviemaking specifically, the importance of a city’s financial incentives also could not be understated. Cities that give indies a bigger bang for their buck by offering a variety of different
looks or access to low-cost studio facilities are always great for the indie crowd. Innovation was another factor. At a time when energy prices are at an all-time high, areas that make special considerations for the environment scored some additional points with us, too.

In the end, it was the sum of all these parts that determined the final 10—and this year was one of the closest races ever. Newcomers Albuquerque and Shreveport shot up the list with a vengeance while New York was ousted from the top spot it has held for several years. Which once again goes to show that, when it comes to moviemaking, there are no guarantees. Of course, that is one of the beauties of the art—it consistently proves to us that anything is possible.

Now, onto the rankings…

1) Austin, TX

2) Albuquerque, NM

3) Shreveport, LA

4) New York, NY

5) Philadelphia, PA

6) Wilmington, NC

7) Seattle, WA

8) Portland, OR

9) Baltimore, MD

10) Memphis, TN

HONORABLE MENTIONS
*Stamford, CT

*Las Vegas, NV

*Richmond, VA

*Phoenix, AZ

*Chicago, IL

CITIES ON THE RISE
*Kauai, HI

*Bozeman, MT

The Winter 2008 edition of MovieMaker Magazine can be purchased on newsstands everywhere. Single copies can be purchased for $5.95 online at https://www.moviemaker.com/magazine/backissues/winter_2008/ or sign up for a full year of MovieMaker at our special introductory price of just $9.95 at https://www.moviemaker.com/subscribe/top_10_movie_cities.

SHARE THIS STORY

COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT

Comment by Geoffrey de Valois on 1/29/08 at 1:40 pm

What have you all been smoking?? For local talent pool, production facilities, educational opportunities, networking events no other city even comes close to Los Angeles! Yes, it’s expensive to live here because of the gorgeous weather - I was out shooting on the beach last week in the middle of winter. Try that in NYC, Philly, Seattle, Portland, Baltimore, etc!

Comment by Thomas de Ville on 1/29/08 at 2:24 pm

Hey, I’m all for giving smaller cities the benefit of the doubt and the ability to live cheaply while working on your personal project cannot be underestimated. But c’mon, can anyone really swallow that its better to live in Shreveport than New York? Sure, you can get by without big rental houses or post facilities, etc. but one thing all productions will need no matter what the budget is talent. What kind of actors would you have access to in one of these smaller cities, not to mention good DPs, experienced crew, etc.? And LA not even in the top 10....?

Comment by James Daniels on 1/30/08 at 1:13 am

there are awesome and fascinating people in every city and most towns. If you can just find the right story for them, and get them to forget about the camera to some extent, you’re golden. Some of them may want to be actors, so avoid them in favor of those you have to persuade. That’s my intuition. Just as is: New York is getting tired and the landscape’s shifting.
Really, genius is genius, and perhaps the next filmmaking-one will gravitate to Austin, LA, New York, or just stay in “who knows where?”: Romania, Dublin, Tehran?

Comment by Gina and David Crais (Gina, SAG member) on 1/30/08 at 11:37 am

What criteria is used to determine this list? Several years ago the state of Louisiana created the film and video tax credits to spur film development. They then modified in 2005 tax credits to include a more aggressive credit for film infrastructure, finance, facility, and production services development. The state has seen the budget values go from approx $50 million spent on film production in 2002 to almost $1 Billion spent this year on total services. The economic impact is much greater.
However, most of the production and services in the state are in New Orleans, and the upcoming Baton Rouge. Shreveport wasn’t even on the map until production activity was forced to move from New Orleans to North Louisiana after Hurricance Katrina. And now they’re “#3” on the list of all cities in the U.S.? I don’t think so. Most crew and talent still has to fly into Dallas and drive 3 hours to Shreveport. The Robinson film center is a lesser facility than either Nims in New Orleans or Celtic Studios in Baton Rouge (which has a 25,000 sq ft soundstage with a 50 foot ceiling plus post production facility). The focus in Louisiana is New Orleans and the SE Region. In fact, New Orleans is drawing more attention away from New Mexico, Austin, and the other more ‘banal’ film production venues. With the added benefit of over $10 Billion dollars of infrastructure redevelopment after Hurricane Katrina, improvements to air travel and transport, the increase in enrollment in regional universities (especially in the arts, creative fields, and creative industry professional services), and the decreasing insurance costs after risk mitigation and realignment of the post Katrina industry dyanmics, New Orleans and SE LA will continue to grow and further (yes, I mean further) surpass Shreveport, and the other cities on the Top 10 list - whether it’s recognized or not by the magazine or survey respondents. The proof is in the pudding, whether it’s on the list or not.
New Orleans, don’t just visit (we have enough tourists, we don’t need anymore), move here! Work, Live, Play, Create. It’s what we’re about.

Comment by javier bonafont on 1/31/08 at 8:53 am

Yay, Jennifer! Thanks for putting ATX at the top of the list where it belongs! But the upshot is I realize that I have let my subscription lapse to your clearly exceptional magazine, which I will, of course, remedy at once! What I think a lot of the LA/NY boosters don’t get is that some towns just have an “indie vibe” that is not present in LA for example. I lived and shot in LA for years and yes, the talent pool and resources are heads above what we have in Austin, but the measure of success is so commercial that its easy to lose your focus if you are working outside the mainstream, and the constant need to take any kind of work on any crummy slasher film to pay the rent slowly kills your soul. The film people I hang out with here are always talking about obscure things shot on super-8 or documentaries shooting in Morocco (that would be me), not Variety gossip or the grosses of the latest Will Farrell movie, so as an indie, it keeps you psychologically afloat. If you want to shoot VanDamme knock-off action flicks, maybe you should be in the valley, but if you toil in odder realms, there is hardly a more supportive place than Austin. Peace, and come visit.

Comment by AlfredOleg on 1/31/08 at 1:50 pm

Quality of crews are unbeatable in Los Angeles. However, having lived and worked in many places, I have to agree.

Filmmaking is the wrong reason to come to LA. Any of the other cities listed (except Shreveport, LA) is probably better to live and work.

Comment by Larry Vaughn on 2/11/08 at 8:54 pm

I live in a little sports college town in Florida. Nice place but
I’m ready to sell my house and move to a production center. Where should I go to get experience and make some money?

Comment by Doug on 2/22/08 at 1:29 am

I was born in Camden, Ar. and raised in Dallas, Tx. They both suck. Country as hell. I loved visiting Manhattan and Beverly Hills. The minute I get the money I am long gone. The city you live in should energize you. No matter how high they rate the city, if you hate it your writing will suffer. Can you imagine Woody Allen’s Manhattan being shot in Arkansas. Staring Woody Allen in “Bug-tussle”.

Comment by J.Monet on 2/22/08 at 2:11 pm

I have to agree with Larry, Florida Film Industry is DEAD. Deader than ROADKILL! I live in Orlando by UCF and am student studying Film Production @ a College by UCF if it was not for the fact that I am already enrolled I would pack up and Move to Austin, TX. Not much good locations, you really have scout hard! The only good locations are in my opinion are Downtown & UCF, everything else is the boondocks. (unless your trying to do a film with a country feel) Don’t let the HYPE fool you, your better off going to Miami then Orlando. its cheap to live here though.

FYI: I moved here from Brooklyn,NY thinking that Orlando Would be the Next hollywood, due to all the HYPE!

Comment by Corey on 2/25/08 at 11:15 pm

I will have to disagree with both larry and J.Monet, the film and t.v. industry in florida is NOT DEAD what so ever my friend. We have been more busyer in the past 2 years then we ever have been. even more so then in the 80’s and 90’s. I am a camera assistant here in orlando and orland has done 6 feature films last year alone and another 6 more this year. Plus were do you think all of the commercials are done. (Here in Orlando). Some of Van Helsing and Minority Report was shot here in our sound stages.

Comment by Nate M. on 2/26/08 at 2:06 am

If you believe that corey, that so be it. I am going have to play on the court of Jmonet & larry. but from my understanding, Orlando is Garbage. I been here 4yrs with a degree in FILM from UCF. doing nothing but shooting student films. if not do your research. Maybe Moviemaker should a top 20 instead of 10. and I betcha my bottom dollar Orlando still wouldnt of make cut.If you are engulf in movie offers, I am only left to ponder one question: do you get carpet burn from being on your knees so much?

Comment by Marcus West on 3/01/08 at 9:00 pm

I am in Austin and all movies are student and very few full length movies. Its bleak here everything moved to Louisiana, By the way any one ever worked the Euorpe film industry I am thinking of trying the Prague scene,

Comment by Vincent on 3/08/08 at 10:39 am

There is pro and con no matter where you travel or live. People have a hard time getting over the stigma of places such as (The entire state of Louisiana). Having been in the military, I’ve had the opportunity to have lived all over the U.S. What I have found is most large cities have way too much traffic to completely enjoy the experiences that they offer. You could spend 2 to 5 hours driving to an event that only last 30 min to an hour. New Orleans puts Louisiana on the Map and sometimes I feel that people think that New Orleans and Louisiana are not associated. Then you hear the comment: New Orleans is a great place to visit but I wouldn’t want to live there: New Orleans 1 Louisianan 0 at least People want to Visit New Orleans but not any other place associated with Louisiana. I know live in Shreveport, La and have discovered… wow… I can travel to most major attractions within 15 minutes or so. I don’t plan any trips based on the time of day… I just get up and go. They have minor league hockey, baseball, basketball. They have the Independence Bowl for college. They have the Louisiana Downs Horse racing track. They host the State Fair. They have a small water park. Down Town Casino boats. The list can go on and on and on. So basically a place like Shreveport is a diamond in the rough. If people can open their eyes to what’s really there, they will find an awesome place to visit or even stay. Get your head out of the mud people.

Comment by travel to new orleans on 3/11/08 at 4:23 pm

hi nice post

Comment by Heidi Jacobsen on 3/23/08 at 6:23 pm

I have to agree with the comment that Florida is dead. Oh sure, occassionally big time films come here to shoot, Bad Boys II or Cape Fear, Miami Vice, etc but trying to get projects going here or finding financing is bleak…

Check out a clip of Cliff Guest’s (Florida Filmmaker) new film, “Two Thirties and A Fifteen” shot on location in Florida....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVL3sVvreKs

Comment by payton on 4/03/08 at 1:13 pm

hey diggy diggy doggy!!peace out homey!!~~♥

Comment by J.MONET on 4/03/08 at 3:21 pm

THANK YOU HEIDI. I am glad someone agrees with me on this. Obviously Corey has been in the industry longer than I’ve been alive. With more exprience under his belt. (kudos) but, for a young female filmmaker is not taken serious here. Verus being in NYC and there is more diversity.

Comment by Dave Stang on 4/08/08 at 11:36 pm

Florida film scene “dead”? Absolute nonsense.I have worked in many films in Florida over the past 2 years.All paying jobs.Sure,Florida can do better but conditions are actually improving.the money and the means are starting to flow into the state.

Comment by J.Monet on 4/16/08 at 5:16 pm

Dave,

In what ways have Florida have been improving? I live in Orlando and I have not seen any improvement in the last 2 years I have been here. Many of my Colleagues would agree with me. I am a pretty damn good filmmaker , I have won several Film Festivals including Tribeca Film Festival in 2006. So, I know it is not because of lack of talent, but merely of lack of work available. Now, If you have been able to get paid steadily for work (kudos to you),but rest of us gifted filmmakers have nothing to look forward to but Student & Indie Films. Feature Films are usually shot in Miami, not in Central Florida. So when you speak of Florida as a whole, yeah there is improvement I am sure but not where it should be. Orlando. Get with the Program my friend.

Comment by Miley jones on 4/17/08 at 2:12 pm

Great post

Comment by jered on 4/18/08 at 1:17 am

if this is so then how come los angeles and the hollywood population increased over the last years making los angeles the 2 nd largest city and were was transformers shot and alvin and the chimpmunks and crash and street kings and terminator 1-3 and shaggy dog and etc were filmed in austin TX I dont think and even tv shows now are filmed in los angeles not once have i seen austin or other listed locations in a movie and LA a great place to live because of its glamour

Comment by Vincent on 4/18/08 at 5:40 am

People please read the entire damn article and not just the headline and list. This is a clip (as in cut and paste) right from the article: ...Keeping in mind that this is a story about
independent moviemaking specifically, the importance of a city’s financial incentives also could not be understated. Cities that give indies a bigger bang for their buck by offering a variety of different
looks or access to low-cost studio facilities are always great for the indie crowd. Innovation was another factor.
No one is trying to take away Hollywood’s status. These communities are just being recognized for a nice alternative. Come and be welcomed at Shreveport where we want your company just as much as your services.

Comment by Honza Krejcik on 4/21/08 at 5:47 am

You all lose. Prague, CZ. Wellington, NZ. Sydney, AU.

Beat all those cities black and blue apart from NYC (even though they’re still cheaper even with the dollar in the toilet)

And the only reason LA isn’t on that list is b/c they want people to talk about that Crackpot Article.

Sela

Comment by asdasdasd on 4/21/08 at 8:31 am

No love for Detroit.

Comment by Bert on 4/21/08 at 2:24 pm

The exclusion of Vancouver and Toronto makes this list completely irrelevant.

...unless of course the list is meant only to contain US cities; in which case I apologise.

Comment by Rodney on 4/21/08 at 4:45 pm

Moving from nothing, to something, is always good in this industry. Wether it be LA or Shreveport.
I currently have an agent in Chicago. I have no desire to move there. Ultimately I want to get to LA, however, due to finance’s, I feel it will be either Shreveport or Wilmington. Does anyone have any EXPERIENCED input about either.
One good thing about Shreveport that stands out to me is within 4 hours you can be in Baton Rouge or Dallas. Add a couple of more and your standing in Austin or New Orleans.
So what do you think? Wilmington or Shreveport? (For a step up...from nothing)

Comment by JiS on 4/21/08 at 5:30 pm

Best places or areas to make movies are; LA, Paris, Former Bombay, London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Madrid/Barça, NY, Tokio, Syndey, etc…
Grtz!

Comment by Vincent on 4/21/08 at 5:45 pm

Rodney,
Shreveport is your answer. You will be amazed at what they have to offer:
Very lil traffic
Minor league hockey
Minor league baseball
Minor league basketball
Fishing
Hunting
Affordable homes
State Fair
Red River Revel
Louisiana Downs
Casinos
The list is endless

Wilmington is near the megalopolis area but that is a great reason to get away

Comment by John K. on 4/21/08 at 7:03 pm

Stamford Ct may merrit a Honorable Mention as a place to film movies, but it sucks for everything else.

Comment by Erik Reichenbach on 4/21/08 at 8:04 pm

Nice - Baltimore is so overlooked. Baltimore has top notch crew and equipment starving for a feature to come to town. You can’t get more diverse of locations than Maryland

Comment by Rodney on 4/21/08 at 8:12 pm

I’ve receieved some very good input on my earlier question posted. I recently visited Shreveport and I must say, I was surprized. It very much reminded me of back home. (Tennessee) I loved it. Shreveport seems to be a very nice place, however, one of my main concerns is the film industry. I’ve noticed there are a lot of auditions for extra’s, but how is it for the aspiring artest seeking, FEATURED WORK?
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2348334/resume
Thanks
Rodney

Comment by Keaton on 4/21/08 at 11:21 pm

I think you all are missing a really important sentence that explains the list...it’s in the third paragraph and states this list is talking specifically about independent movies. Obviously this list would not apply to big-budget films.

Comment by Rodney on 4/22/08 at 8:23 am

Good point Keaton and Vincent. I still want to get to LA, but I think a little more time in the Independent (Small Town) side, will come first. All in good timing.
Thanks everyone for your input.

Rodney

Comment by Vincent on 4/22/08 at 8:51 am

Rodney,

Sounds like you figured things out for yourself. This article is not for aspiring actors but more for film makers and the likes. You need to seek out ways to make contacts which will be found in Hollywood. Shreveport has had some big names come through and some pretty good films made here recently. Shreveport did not end up on this list by accident… they are for real. GLTY

PS
You can get noticed as an extra but that is not a very proactive approach

Comment by Rezwan Omar on 5/05/08 at 5:30 am

hi
your idea is very good. i appritiate it.

Comment by ankara nakliyat on 5/26/08 at 2:37 am

very nice information.
thanks.

Comment by Patty on 5/26/08 at 6:43 pm

Ok, I can understand how Austin may have a lot of benefits that add up to potential but the sad reality is that this list is a MYTH. The only places you can live as a venerable filmmaker in this country are the dreaded silicone Los Angeles and the barf-inducing NYC. Austin and places like Philly may have some sort of incentive but once you move there and you try to find a job doing anything in film that’ll pay the bills, you’ll be wishing you either never left the costs or lived in a different country. LA/NYC have a plethora of organizations from non-profit to exhibition houses to production companies to museums dedicated to film that you could possibly find a job in. Austin has a few productions here and there and everyone wants to work at the ONE same agency or they have no choice but to teach. If you’re a technical person then you probably have some flexibility in where you can live but if you aren’t willing to do AV work for corporate clients moving to these places is like signing a suicide note on your career.

Comment by mike hardinge on 5/30/08 at 6:58 pm

AUSTIN! I moved here from LA 4 years ago, and never looked back. Friendly, heavily tatooed, guitar-fixated people all over the place. Too hot in july, but hey, the way I live, I might as well get used to Hell now.

Comment by Jen on 6/03/08 at 12:50 pm

Wow, real good stuff. I appreciate your effort in posting these kind of blogs.
http://vacationrentalhotspots.com/florida/kissimmee-vacation-rentals.php

Comment by hamed on 7/20/08 at 11:32 am

Comment by Chile hotels on 9/04/08 at 11:57 pm

You could make a list of best cities in foreign countries for making a movie. Santiago Chile is not one of them. Hahahahhaha!

Comment by waterfowl hunts on 9/08/08 at 1:01 am

This article may help greatly for film makers and the likes. But any one can help me which cities are fantastic for waterfowl hunting.

Thanks for sharing
http://showmesnowgeese.com/

Comment by Corey on 9/29/08 at 1:29 pm

Austin TX? Get real.

Comment by Rodney on 9/29/08 at 2:39 pm

Austin TX? Get real....Apparently it is REAL!
True, it is not Cali or NY, but for central US, Austin (Among other cities listed) are doing very well in the Independent Film Industry. Check the stats. Being opinionated is fine, but for the working and aspiring actors and crew, we’ll stick to the facts. Don’t tell us it won’t work, when we’re bringing home a pay check. Tell us where we can find our next gig, once the present is completed.

Comment by Legal Newspapers on 10/01/08 at 3:16 pm

No one would guess that Austin TX is a great place for capital Rodney. Seems like it works, and if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

Comment by Rodney on 10/01/08 at 8:37 pm

Legal Newspapers, Amen. Thats what I’m saying. The article is about cities for Indie Features. To me Austin, and other cities listed, are doing great in the film industry. And they’re growing. Those that seem to knock these cities listed and compare them to LA and NY, should simply look at the facts, the stats and realize what the article is about. Bottom line, Feature film is not as confined to the walls of Cali and NY anymore. They are branching out… and Austin IS one of the cities benefiting from this.

Thanks for the input Legal Newspapers.
Rodney

Comment by Florida Insurance Lawyer on 10/13/08 at 1:22 pm

Rodney & Legal Newspapers,

You guys are absolutely correct. If Austin Texas is prevailing then why would you want to change. I am glad to hear you are branching out Rodney and I too am glad to hear Austin is benefiting from this. Really great area in Austin, I can see why.

Comment by Orlando Florida Hotels on 10/21/08 at 9:11 pm

I do agree with most as Orlando certainly is not what it used to be. Nothing but student filming going on there these days!

Comment by Dusty Clark on 11/04/08 at 1:46 am

Living in a small town, I can make a better product then most people in LA or NYC because of my lower overhead. Los Angeles when I was there it was great but I was just surviving, here in TN I work and make movies. I made my short for 12,000.00 bucks.
http://www.emaginationfilms.com

Comment by Free G1 on 12/11/08 at 1:54 pm

I would have to drive 14 hours to get to the closest city on the top ten list...I need to move!

Comment by Drug Rehab Cost on 12/14/08 at 11:26 am

These movie cities are great locations. I am working on my own film and was looking for some good locations. Thanks!

Comment by Kauai Vacation Rentals on 12/30/08 at 3:27 pm

Well, Kauai, HI is not actually a city, it’s an island. But a lot of great movies have been shot there. Jurassic Park, Mighty Joe Young, Raiders of the lost Ark, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and also a couple TV shows like Gilligan’s Island, and Fantasy Island. As well as a bunch more.

Comment by Kauai Movie locations on 12/30/08 at 4:40 pm

There is a whole list of movies that were shot on Kauai here Kauai Movie locations. Kauai is a pretty popular place to shoot movies with the larger studios, probably a bit expensive for the smaller independent film makers

Comment by free g1 on 1/02/09 at 2:16 pm

i need to get to one of these places!

Comment by hm clothing on 1/02/09 at 8:44 pm

Love all of them!

Comment by Minimal on 1/03/09 at 2:51 pm

The Robinson film center is a lesser facility than either Nims in New Orleans or Celtic Studios in Baton Rouge (which has a 25,000 sq ft soundstage with a 50 foot ceiling plus post production facility).

Comment by Henry - Iphone on 1/12/09 at 10:21 am

I liked the artcle,, it was really a pleasure to read it.. you’ve done a great job.. i’m waiting for a moment to go to one of the places..

Comment by Zoe - Photostock Expert on 1/13/09 at 10:13 am

hi! I’m not United States citizen and it’s interesting or me why the city of Kauai is mentioned? I haven’t heard anything about it, and became interested… suppose i should google a little!

Comment by Austin Native on 1/17/09 at 5:32 pm

I grew up in Austin, Tx and went to UT Austin. The independent filmmaking scene is on the rise in Austin. BUT, the resources and information for an inexperienced filmmaker is not there. Austin, TX is a great city for an established filmmaker who knows how to get a movie made from start to finish. I don’t know that a newbie would find a great deal of success in Austin. I moved to Los Angeles shortly after I finished college. LA is definitely an epicenter for the film industry. Unfortunately, everyone is jaded and even the newbie actors feel they are at the level of Julia Roberts or Kate Winslet, simply because they were “girl in yellow bikini” in Blow. If you are someone who wants your creativity to grow and you have to choose a large city, I would choose NYC over LA. NYC has better production incentives and great resources. Despite what many people say, New Yorkers are surprisingly friendly and helpful. I found the NY Film Commission to be leaps and bounds more helpful than anyone in LA. WGA East has their stuff together more so than WGA West. NYC seems to be more user friendly. Besides if you’re already contemplating a move to LA, know you’ll spend the same amount of money in NY.

Comment by Rebecca Nitkin on 1/22/09 at 10:49 am

I want to live in all these locations!!!

Comment by Conner on 1/23/09 at 8:06 am

hello! thanks for your article. nice ideas and interesting point of view. I’m interested in this kind of information on Austin and will be so much glad to read new notes written by you. good job! have a nice day

Comment by travel agents on 2/08/09 at 2:22 pm

great post

Comment by Roberto on 3/15/09 at 3:44 am

If you are looking for the best place to be (outside of NYC & L.A.) go to Louisiana! I grew up there (I currently live in Philly) and I am planning to move back!

There were nearly $1 BILLION worth of films shot there last year! Why? - A generous tax credit program and amazing shooting locations as well as a rapidly growing number of skilled crew members and actors.

In terms of Louisiana cities, Shreveport is a decent place, but Baton Rouge and New Orelans (which are only 80 miles apart) offer the true opportunity in the state. In fact, the majority of all film productions in the state have been filmed in/around these two cities. These include Benjamin Button, Ray, Glory Road, Dukes of Hazzard, All The Kings Men, the HBO series True
Blood, and many others!

New Orleans is an amazing city full of great food, music, architecture, people, great universities, and the Nims Studio. Everyone knows the pure magic of
New Orleans!

Baton Rouge is home to Celtic Studios, Red Stick Studios (a soon-to-be massive studio rivaled only by those in Los Angeles), Louisiana State University, BR is the State Capital, and has a beautiful newly redeveloped downtown which is an urban revivalists’ dream! Baton Rouge (unlike New Orleans) is also well shielded from hurricanes.

Both New Orleans and Baton Rouge offer excellent dining and live music as well as artists, antiques, art museums, performing arts centers, regional theaters, and balmy winter temperatures.

Sorry Shreveport & Austin, but South Louisiana (Baton Rouge and New Orleans) gets my vote!

Comment by Shanky -Connecticut personal injury lawyer on 3/20/09 at 4:22 am

Awesome Article, Really very informative posting which provide lots of informative in all the regards.thanks for the wonderful posting.

Comment by Bobo on 3/23/09 at 1:25 am

They should make a global list.

I’m not sure which cities around the world are big with regards to film. But I do know that there are more movies filmed in Vancouver, Canada than in LA and NY combined!

Comment by www.swissrecruitme">motor trade jobs on 3/24/09 at 12:22 am

Your movie crew develops much slower than the rest of “The Movies” staff. You need to balance the amount of crew to be able to fit the movies you are filming to maximize their growth.When you begin, you only need a few to start. Sci Fi and action require more crew than romance and comedy.One method I employed in this game is accepting the fact that some of my reviews were going to hurt, but I created a lot of Sci Fi in the beginning to utilize my whole crew team. Although these movies do hurt the rating in the beginning, you can make up for the financial loss by having your writer pump out a ton of scripts (and sell them). This way you get an advanced writing team and a decent movie crew by the 50’s or 60’s and blow the other studios away!

Comment by DaCorey on 3/27/09 at 10:36 pm

i cant believe Phoenix. I live here and never thought it would be on the list for anything

Comment by Anuska on 3/31/09 at 12:31 am

vERY PRETTY...and I would like to share this...In this comedy documentary begun during the construction of his new studios in 1917, and continued after its completion, Charlie Chaplin gives us a look, however staged, inside the Chaplin workplace. Although never completed by Chaplin, who wanted to use it to help fulfill his First National contract, it was reconstructed in 1982 by scholars Kevin Brownlow and David Gill from material they found at the Chaplin estate. They got the editing continuity from a page of titles they found in the Chaplin archive. Some of the footage was used in 1959 by Chaplin as a prologue to his compilation, The Chaplin Revue, and used again for the documentary on Chaplin, The Gentleman Tramp. The film begins with a stop-action sequence of the studio being built. Then it shows a dapper, 29-year-old Chaplin arriving at work, greeting his staff, reading his fan mail. His butler is instructed to bring his famous costume, which he retrieves from the studio vault. Chaplin is seen rehearsing his cast and coaching a starlet through a screen test. Viewers are taken into the Chaplin Studio laboratory where they’re shown how film is developed and processed and see Chaplin at work in the editing room....thanks by...citroen berlingo contract hire sparks...!!!thanks

Comment by club penguin on 5/21/09 at 3:42 am

I’m all for giving smaller cities the benefit of the doubt and the ability to live cheaply while working on your personal project cannot be underestimated. But c’mon, can anyone really swallow that its better to live in Shreveport than New York? Sure, you can get by without big rental houses or post facilities, etc. but one thing all productions will need no matter what the budget is talent.

Comment by Danny R on 5/23/09 at 8:14 am

I often read theater critic Terry Teachout’s blog and he’s the only New York critic who travels around the country seeing regional productions. Many, many times he writes about how a production in a place like Shreveport, for example, are superior to what’s going on in New York. Yes, even talent-wise!

Comment by The Rock on 6/07/09 at 4:53 pm

Notice how no one is mentioning anything about Albuquerque, New Mexico even though it’s ranked supposedly #2? There’s reasons for that. No one is here, no one is coming here, all the hype is just that. With the exception of the last five years that I’ve lived in ABQ NM, I spent my entire life in “Hollywood.” Grew up in and around the Industry and have to say that the “booming” production industry in this town is less legitimate than my junior high stage production of “Cheaper by the Dozen” which was produced and staged by kids who were either in the biz themselves or their parents were.

Times are tough right now, folks, and they’re gonna get tougher. The good news is, and I say this as a business woman/production coordinator, with a little time the investors will see that their money is safer, more secure, and gives them more clout going into an indie film than the previous safer venues of stocks and real estate. I suggest that anybody anywhere becomes more knowledgeable of business dealings and funding rather than chasing a rainbow somewhere else where the greener grass still has weeds...just like every place else.

Comment by Dress Shirst on 6/25/09 at 11:48 pm

Thanks for providing nice information. But i could not understand the criteria of dividing the cities. However good effort.

Comment by Schulungsfilm on 7/21/09 at 2:00 am

What about big movie city outside the US? Would be interesting how you see upcoming cities like Berlin with the Babelsberg studios. Several blockbuster have been produced there or have been coproduced by the studios, like operation walkure with tom cruise, bourne identity, enemy at the gates, Inglourious Basterds, .... and much more to come.

Comment by خلفيات on 8/15/09 at 9:38 pm

Comment by توبيكات on 8/15/09 at 9:41 pm

is completed.

Comment by Tiffany on 9/03/09 at 10:19 pm

This is great news. Best of luck for the future and keep up the good work.

Comment by How to lose weight on 9/24/09 at 11:28 am

Very impressed with the knowledge you are posting here. Thanks for sharing and let us know more about new releases.
How to lose weight

Comment by movie download free on 10/01/09 at 4:28 am

Very impressed with the knowledge you are posting here.

Comment by PhillySetDec on 10/03/09 at 4:27 pm

So I live in Philly, been working for 2 years been all over the art dept from tv, commercials, indie and union films on waivers. I work all the time, I have to turn down work and it all pays scale or better. I want to hear from people that actually work full time in the Austin area in film and commercial markets, looks like central Texas might be in my future and I d like to get a feel for the Career Ops or lack of in Austin. Not to sound jerky but if you go to the Austin film office’s website look under crew listings, it looks like no-one has worked in that city since 2003-04? Anybody out there work full time as a CAREER in Austin? Id really like to know if I can transition to this market or if i should think about other things....

Comment by Sergio on 10/31/09 at 1:46 pm

Sometimes it happens that films with limited budgets make a sensation, causing significant cash charges and visual delight audiences. What is the secret? Perhaps the director’s work, perhaps, cast, perhaps the original script. Very difficult to say for sure. In any case, these films are masterpieces for many years.

Comment by car accident insurance claim on 11/08/09 at 2:30 pm

Resources like the one you mentioned here will be very useful to me! I will post a link to this page on my blog. I am sure my visitors will find that very useful..
Regards,

Comment by Google Wave Forum on 11/12/09 at 2:16 am

What a well written great piece of information. I remember that I was looking for something like this from a couple of months. I am glad that I found my way here by coincidence!

Comment by composite door news on 11/28/09 at 2:46 pm

Really a good and interactive post, i think the post is informative and knowledge providing both in regard of current affairs and present economic Situations.

Comment by Chabad on 12/12/09 at 10:58 am

Nice and informative post.

Comment by Club Penguin on 12/20/09 at 4:48 pm

cool man

Comment by Mortgage Calculator on 12/21/09 at 8:51 pm

Do you think London might get a mention in the list?

Comment by club penguin toys on 12/23/09 at 8:08 pm

Comment by headboard on 12/27/09 at 4:38 pm

This website seems very professional!

Comment by Deer Guy on 12/29/09 at 11:22 pm

I wouldn’t thought differently on a few results, but of course opinions always vary.

Comment by Scrapbook on 12/29/09 at 11:33 pm

I also agree.

Comment by Oliver on 1/08/10 at 10:50 am

I thing, that Seattle is the best. But, if yuo like more natural place, you can see it here:

Comment by Writing Jobs on 1/11/10 at 8:18 am

New York is only at number 4? Oh, i can’t believe it.

Comment by EMR on 1/20/10 at 12:38 pm

Nice article thanks for sharing with us.

Comment by Seran on 3/06/10 at 5:56 pm

Thank you very much for this article! New York is the best

Comment by Natali on 3/06/10 at 5:58 pm

Seran. i do not agree with you - Austin is the first

Comment by Jack on 3/10/10 at 1:12 pm

I have to remember to do what I like doing and stop chasing it. It was costing more to keep my haven’t going than I expected. Do you know how long it takes to check your keep? This has been like a hostile takeover. That is a seldom used thought in regard to it. The feeling is easy. That was as smooth as glass. It turns out that there are common practices that underlie that assumption. Well, the same detail is true with it. I do not fear that I would not like to jump on the said bandwagon. This was as ugly as sin. We would always do that with become when we could. There aren’t any available and I really don’t care about the rest. This article may seem a bit confusing at first to you.

Comment by دلع on 3/11/10 at 10:55 am

takeover. That is a seldom used thought in regard to it. The feeling is easy. That was as smooth as glass. It turns out that there are common practices that underlie that assumption. Well, the same detail is true with it. I do not fear that I would not like to jump on the said bandwagon. This was as ugly as sin. We would always do that with become when we could. There aren’t any available and I really don’t care about the rest. This

Comment by free textbooks on 3/13/10 at 11:21 pm

I like the site moviemaker which contains free books, textbooks and resources for the web users . Its was a nice article

Comment by Copyright Music on 3/29/10 at 11:36 pm

Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon

Comment by earth on 4/04/10 at 6:15 am

Информация достойная внимания, но мне кажется, что в этом списке нехватает Киева с его прекрасными земельными участками.

Comment by question papers on 4/08/10 at 1:32 pm

nice though

Comment by canon t2i on 4/17/10 at 2:30 pm

wonderful

Comment by Pepper Spray on 4/21/10 at 11:55 pm

Thanks for analytical data - very impressive!

Comment by alergia on 4/23/10 at 3:31 pm

I’m all for giving smaller cities the benefit of the doubt and the ability to live cheaply while working on your personal project cannot be underestimated.

Comment by دليل on 4/25/10 at 11:23 pm

I’m all for giving smaller cities the benefit of the doubt and the ability to live cheaply while working on your personal project cannot be underestimated.

Comment by Snow Goosehttp://www.northernskiesoutfitters.com/ on 4/28/10 at 6:32 am

Give it up for the small towns!

Comment by Snow Goose on 4/28/10 at 6:33 am

Give it up for the small towns!

Comment by Disney Games on 4/30/10 at 4:01 pm

Huh?
Los Angeles, not in the top 10??

Comment by ITCSales on 5/01/10 at 8:22 am

How about other towns?

Comment by Minnesota Outdoors on 5/24/10 at 11:06 pm

There are a lot of towns missing, but good ones noted.

Comment by facedevideo on 6/07/10 at 4:51 am

Give it up for the small towns!

Comment by benimweb on 6/07/10 at 5:04 am

There are a lot of towns missing, but good ones noted.

Comment by منتديات on 6/12/10 at 3:31 pm

Comment by Zeka oyunları on 7/22/10 at 6:12 am

Comment by Levitra on 7/25/10 at 4:08 pm

8) Portland, OR

9) Baltimore, MD

10) Memphis, TN

I like this list

Comment by Interview Questions on 8/08/10 at 5:18 am

I often read theater critic Terry Teachout’s blog and he’s the only New York critic who travels around the country seeing regional productions. It was a great read

Comment by simulador de prestamos on 8/21/10 at 5:13 am

Cities that give indies a bigger bang for their buck by offering a variety of different
looks or access to low-cost studio facilities are always great for the indie crowd. Innovation was another factor.

Top 10 Movie Cities 2008

MM’s eighth annual countdown of the best places to live, work and make movies

COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT

POST A COMMENT

Related forum topic:

Top 10 Movie Cities 2008

Latest from the polls:

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

RELATED ARTICLES FROM THE ARCHIVES

Name:
Email:
URL: