Advertisement
Best Places to Live in 2009
The 25 best cities in the U.S. to ride it out as an independent moviemaker this year
Recession. Gas prices. Cost of living. Food prices. Unemployment rate. Home values. Median salary. Sub prime crisis. Government bailout.
They’re familiar phrases we read in the paper, see splashed around the Internet and hear on the radio and television all day, everyday. What’s going to happen this year? Will things get better with the new administration? How will it all play out? And in the meantime, what’s a moviemaker to do? Maybe the most important thing, whether you’re just starting out or ready to make a change, is to identify the most effective place to live.
Each year MM surveys the country to find the areas you’ll be happiest to call home if you call yourself a moviemaker. This time we’re doing things a little differently—first, by opening up the playing field to 25 cities instead of 10 and, second, by focusing on those places that offer the perfect combination of employment opportunities, reasonable costs of living, strong quality of life, affordable home prices and, of course, financial incentives.
We arrived at the final list of 25 only after months of research, interviews and calculations which, in this fast-changing economy, were particularly challenging. We got there by using a formula into which we fed the following data: Cost of living, average salary, unemployment rate, job growth, median home price and crime rate. Next, we added in the number of film schools, festivals, movie-related vendors and local movie theaters. We then factored in the current production scene, i.e. production days, size of talent pool. Extra credit was given for cities doing something unique—like special “green” efforts. Finally, we tallied in the financial incentives for shooting in a particular area.
While incentives have always been an important part of our rankings, they were a more complicated matter in this year’s survey, as many cities are considering reducing or eliminating incentives in an effort to reflect these uncertain times. On the other hand, places such as Michigan, which recently announced the nation’s most aggressive incentive plan, found their way onto the list for the first time because of these cost benefits.
The end result is a list of 25 cities nationwide—some of them expected (Austin, Albuquerque), some of them surprising (Boise, Des Moines)—that offer moviemakers the best all-around chance of finding success with their art during these tough economic times.
Here, then, is MM’s ninth annual ranking of the country’s top movie cities:
1. Chicago, IL
2. Atlanta, GA
3. New York, NY
4. Shreveport, LA
5. Albuquerque, NM
6. Boston, MA
7. Stamford, CT
8. Memphis, TN
9. Milwaukee, WI
10. Austin, TX
11. Detroit, MI
12. Miami, FL
13. Seattle, WA
14. Portland, OR
15. Philadelphia, PA
16. Sedona, AZ
17. Salt Lake City, UT
18. Wilmington, NC
19. Boise, ID
20. Denver, CO
21. Bozeman, MT
22. Wichita, KS
23. San Diego, CA
24. Richmond, VA
25. Des Moines, IA
Honorable Mentions:
*San Antonio, TX
*Lexington, KY
*Sheridan, WY
*Baltimore, MD
*Portsmouth, NH
The Winter 2009 edition of MovieMaker Magazine can be purchased on newsstands everywhere. Single copies can be purchased for $5.95 online at MovieMaker.com/magazine/backissues/winter_2009 or sign up for a full year of MovieMaker at our special introductory price of just $9.95 at MovieMaker.com/subscribe/movie_cities_2009.
Digg
StumbleUpon
Facebook
Del.icio.us
Reddit
YahooAdvertisement
COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT 
- Comment by David on 2/24/09 at 5:29 pm
that Batman photo was obviously taken in Hong Kong, not Chicago. Nice work.
- Comment by Monster on 2/24/09 at 9:19 pm
That’s funny.
I lived in Chicago for a decade and couldn’t get work in film to save my life. Then I moved to Toronto. And I still can’t get work.
Clearly, it wasn’t meant to be.
- Comment by Mattresses on 2/26/09 at 1:57 pm
How is New York City not number one!
- Comment by matt on 2/27/09 at 3:15 pm
This is the most ridiculous, misleading article since the stimulus package. It’s obvious to anyone that has ever actually spent time working the industry that there are only three places to move to in order to potentially find work: LA, NY, or Toronto. While I’m sure there is some local art film being shot in Montana, to even think about moving there to become part of the scene is asanine. And Detroit? Give me a break!
To prove a point, I move from LA to Wilmington, NC (number 18 on this list) and have yet to find anything resembling a film community. Just move to LA, pay the higher cost of living, and enjoy California.- Comment by Dora the Explorer on 2/27/09 at 3:52 pm
Matt, sorry to cross talk. I wanted to add to your point. You make great points btw. I just wanted to add Vancouver into your list. We are quite a strong location and there is a lot of movie making in our city now. I would agree, with potential payoff, there comes risk and expense. It’s all part of “making it”.
- Comment by tammanycall on 3/02/09 at 9:38 pm
Shreveport is #4 and Los Angeles isn’t on the list? Okay, then the question becomes - how are you defining “moviemaker”? Because if it’s “driving creative force behind a feature film” - i.e., executive producer, director, writer - you shouldn’t live in Shreveport. I don’t have time to go into detail myself here, but John August wrote very well on the this subject some time ago.
Just do what everyone else does and live in L.A. but shoot in Shreveport.
- Comment by Steve on 3/02/09 at 10:31 pm
Cost of living must not have factored too highly in this calculation if Chicago, New York, and Boston are all in the top 10.
- Comment by Paul Toohey on 3/03/09 at 11:16 am
I’ve lived in Austin for 20+ years, and stuggled trying to break into the film scene for a couple of years after Film School before throwing in the towel on Austin. I still have many friends trying to scrape by though. One is a location manager, who is on unemployment. One is a Steadi-cam operator, who is about to go back to working a coffee shoppe. Maybe this article is only talking about the scumbags who are looking for below-the-line people who will work for free, or the ever offered “credit, copy, meals”. Nothing like having a reel of the projects you were Craft Services or a Grip on.
Don’t know how any of that makes Austin a good city to live in if you want to work in film.
- Comment by Becca on 3/03/09 at 6:29 pm
what about Minnesota? we have the mall of America! and plenty of movies are being shot here! Minneapolis is awesome! and how come New York, or LA aren’t on this list? this is definitely F***ed up!
- Comment by PAUL on 3/04/09 at 5:08 pm
The list is talking about independent film this year , incentives , cost of living , easy in & out (major airports) , expense in shooting from a FILM MAKERS point of view . We will always shoot in Los Angeles - that is where all the big studios live ,because when Thomas Edison was older, he could not easily travel to Los Angeles , so the studios set up shop there in order to not pay Edison for the use of his invention ( the movie camera ), because Edison would shut down the filming if the studios would not pay him… good old Hollywood ! similar things still happening-- well believe or not , there are other great places to shoot that are cost effective , as people will soon figure out , because in this economy people will eventually not pay $10-$14 to see a film ,therefore in order to make a return , people will definitely start filming from this list…
- Comment by Nicole on 3/05/09 at 10:39 am
It is great that Wilmington, North Carolina and New York made the list. South Carolina may be a nice place to reside or visit as well, even for freelance work in film and video projects. I am always surprised to see that Philadelphia made the list because the city is kind of corny when it comes to film.
If you are looking for work on major productions and not like those craft services jobs that Paul Toohey mentioned, Philadelphia does not always have a steady flow of projects available at that level. You have to really stay on top of postings to get good work in Philadelphia and even the places where these jobs are listed get old and the listings are dated and stale. I have been in Philadelphia for many years and believe that this town could be on a Playbill’s “top 10-25” or Broadway.com list for Theater, as it is a much better place for Theater than Film.
Oklahoma is a nice place to be, too bad that it didn’t make the list. The film community there is very supportive and close knit. They seem to do what filmmakers in many other cities only talk about doing which is MAKE FILMS. The film community in Oklahoma is always in motion, working on projects where it be their own independent films or more mainstream movies, TV and Commercials. The filmmakers also refer jobs to each other, even if those are remote jobs that require a bit of a commute.
- Comment by Film School on 3/09/09 at 5:08 pm
You can make it if you try!
- Comment by Scott W. Smith on 3/09/09 at 8:24 pm
I guess the secret is out now about Iowa (Des Moines #25 on your list). After University of Iowa graduate Diablo Cody hit the scene with “Juno,” I started a blog to help writers in the fly-over states called “Screenwriting from Iowa...or wherever you live outside L.A.”
Just read the MM article today. There are exciting things going on here and the other cities mentioned. (But where’s Minneapolis?)
screenwritingfromiowa.wordpress.com
- Comment by corey on 3/14/09 at 2:37 am
I am surprised that Orlando, FL is not on the list. Their is just as much work here as their is in MIA
- Comment by Mylo Egipciaco on 3/16/09 at 10:23 am
With a 45% tax incentive, Puerto Rico is @ the top of the list as a destination for independent filmmakers!!
- Comment by Philadelphia Movers on 3/18/09 at 3:52 pm
Well, clearly there is a lot of disagreement about the accuracy of this list. But I’m glad Philadelphia is on there, though I’m not sure if making it on the list is enough evidence for independent film makers to move to Philadelphia.
- Comment by ike on 3/23/09 at 6:28 pm
- Comment by film future on 3/26/09 at 6:10 pm
Can a location service survive in Boston/CT--is there enough scouts that
would benefit/utilize such a service ...?- Comment by someone on 4/02/09 at 7:17 pm
I’m suprised Minneapolis is not on the list.
- Comment by Randy on 4/03/09 at 4:06 am
If you want to improve your state’s ranking get these two names that are available:
Randy
- Comment by eldondre on 4/08/09 at 10:21 am
everything’s sunny in Philadelphia
- Comment by Film Tax Credit on 4/08/09 at 1:54 pm
Does Atlanta, ranked 3rd, even have a Film Tax Credit program?
- Comment by abc on 4/10/09 at 8:47 am
Best Places to Live in 2009
The 25 best cities in the U.S. to ride it out as an independent moviemaker this yearMissoula, Montana...Absolutely full of film-makers.
- Comment by matt on 5/14/09 at 9:52 pm
I live in Chicago and am wrapping up editing a short film I wrote and shot myself. I was able to tap into a large reserve of talented people who work full time in the industry, was able to find talented actors (The large improv scene here helps) and am now about to have a completed short film shot for under $1000 total completely in Chicago. Having lived in NYC, I can say it is much easier to work in film in Chicago, the cost of living makes it way more desirable, Chicago is less of a cutthroat environment, people here work in film because they love it, not to be famous. I recommend Chicago to anyone who wants to make movies, its an all around great city as well as perfect for filmmakers of all stripes.
- Comment by Teresita on 5/21/09 at 5:24 pm
Oh, Seattle almost made it to the top 10. Oh well. The cost of living in Seattle IS definitely high and the connections aren’t as concentrated as in L.A. But I have seen a lot of eco-friendly people, serious artists, and visionaries reside here, that I don’t see how Seattle could at least been #10.
- Comment by movers on 7/03/09 at 1:21 am
Nice article. But I can’t see how Albuquerque, NM made top 5.
- Comment by b on 7/30/09 at 10:22 pm
New Orleans should be up there. The Southern Hollywood duhhhhh.....
- Comment by Margarita on 8/16/09 at 2:58 pm
movers
Not sure why you question Albuquerque being on the list. Abq is constantly on “Best Place to Live” lists. Taking in factors like economy, cost of living, outdoor activities, and number of days of sunshine, Abq is a fantastic place to live. It only makes sense that Abq would make THIS list now that many TV shows and movies are being filmed in and near Abq.- Comment by Ken h. on 9/01/09 at 10:17 pm
Antarctica should be at the top of the list. Cool weather year round,tax free and plenty of available extras dressed in tuxedos. Also very few distractions.
- Comment by D on 10/16/09 at 12:28 am
Stamford and Connecticut will be the next big movie and media state. It already has a strong base ,tons of actors and famous people its building all the time and is right next to new york where you can access all the thing you would need for major productions ,thats not in CT.A car ride or train ride away from NY most of these other places are plane rides away from NY and LA where everything is at. So most of these places will never have a strong film or media market. Conneticut can use NY till it gets on its feet and then it will boom.
- Comment by phil maybanks on 10/16/09 at 4:00 am
Has anybody thought about going further afield. Capetown in South Africa has quite a lively film industry. And things here are a lot cheaper to produce. Consider the recently shot movie, district 9. It cost $30,000,000 to make, and grossed $90,000,000 in its first weekend in the US. Plus while the north is having winter, it’s summer here. But forget all that. There can’t be a more vibrant and beautiful city in the world. I look forward to meeting you.
- Comment by Wintersport Oostenrijk on 11/11/09 at 11:11 am
Really, Chicago? I mean… really? Friggin’ cold there!
- Comment by Sergio Mokko on 11/17/09 at 3:50 pm
It is strange that Los Angeles did not get a list of such cities. I could not find the list of San Francisco, too.
- Comment by adam rice on 1/31/10 at 4:40 pm
I recently moved from Chicago to LA, after spending a few frustrating years trying to make movies there. Fact is, if you are a local production it is much harder to make it happen than as an outside production. There is a great pool of talent there, but mostly it is used to shore up low level positions on major productions. There is a lot of heart and talent, but few avenues for an indie filmmaker to gain financing for anything but small productions, and even worse prospects for distribution. I want to make movies in my hometown, but I had to come halfway across the country to get it done. Chicago may be a great place to shoot, but to break into the industry in any meaningfull way, you have to go where the money is, and that, unfortunately, is LaLa land. It sucks, but it’s true.
- Comment by Al on 4/06/10 at 10:37 pm
“matt”, can’t you read pal? lol, who said this list was about the places that offered jobs in filmmaking? this list is about the best places to make movies!
- Comment by Jonas on 4/26/10 at 12:33 am
adam rice, what the f*u*c*k* are you talking about you imbecile, tyler perry established himself in atlanta and never went to l.a. for anything. do not blame your lack of creativity and entrepreneurism on chicago lol
- Comment by Dan48 on 6/09/10 at 3:07 am
Detroit is my home city, I’m surprised to see it on the list. I doubt any film director would want to live there because the high rate of crime. Plus it seems like a 3rd world country.
If anywhere I would love to live in Miami, Florida. A lot of potential down there.
- Comment by seo on 6/12/10 at 3:24 am
Thanks.Chicago may be a great place to shoot, but to break into the industry in any meaningfull way, you have to go where the money is, and that, unfortunately, is LaLa land. It sucks, but it’s true.
- Comment by منتديات on 6/18/10 at 3:33 am
I also believe that Americans, leaders in capatalism, should become more competitive in costs and quality of producing films,in order to gain their share of revenues from film production, Vancouver, Canada does rate #1 in both costs…
- Comment by منتديات on 6/18/10 at 3:39 am
I also believe that Americans, leaders in capatalism, should become more competitive in costs and quality of producing films,in order to gain their share of revenues from film production, Vancouver, Canada does rate #1 in both costs…
- Comment by Andrew Stolpe on 6/18/10 at 11:39 pm
How is New York not # 1? New York has everything you could possibly want to live as well as you can make so many connections by just talking to people randomly on the street.
- Comment by düğün salonları on 6/23/10 at 11:42 am
Thanks.Pls good .. why
- Comment by blogreaction on 6/24/10 at 2:26 am
Sedona really is beautiful. I really like Raleigh, though too.. I wish there were more smaller cities on the list.
- Comment by sanalika hileleri on 6/27/10 at 5:50 am
Thank you good post.Thanks Admin…
- Comment by doviz on 6/27/10 at 3:34 pm
Thank you good post..Thanks Admin..Good admin :)
- Comment by sohbet on 7/05/10 at 12:01 pm
Hi,
I really like your topic .. Topics I’ve shared your facebook .. Thank you very much again- Comment by vigaplus on 7/25/10 at 9:11 am
5. Albuquerque, NM
6. Boston, MA
7. Stamford, CT
8. Memphis, TN
9. Milwaukee, WII agree only with those cities!
- Comment by Web Tasarim | John Alden on 7/26/10 at 10:44 am
Thanks for the list. It would be lovely to live in one of these cities :)
- Comment by توبيكات on 8/06/10 at 2:35 pm
nice topics thanx
- Comment by playfreeonlinegames on 8/09/10 at 7:09 pm
dasfdsafg
- Comment by Captcha Bypass on 8/11/10 at 4:54 pm
Great selection!
I was involved in a movie production in Albuquerque, NM and it was a pretty nice place to live.
- Comment by Infant Snowsuit on 8/14/10 at 4:41 pm
Chicago #1? What?
I don’t see how that was a relevant choice.
whatevs…
- Comment by oyun oyna on 8/22/10 at 9:45 pm
Reply;I’m happy to let others make decisions for themselves, but aren’t they entitled to hear both sides? Oh, right, Scientology forbids that. Know why? Because if people heard both sides, Scientology and Inktip would never have any new members/customers.
This story was published in the Winter 2009 MovieMaker Magazine. The headline was:
Best Places to Live in 2009 / The 25 best cities in the U.S. to ride it out as an independent moviemaker this year
Order this issue | Subscribe to MM
posted 08.9.10
posted 08.2.10
SITE DELIVERY OPTIONS
