The Center of the Media Industry is Shifting

Andy Marken is an internationally recognized marketing/communications consultant with a broad range of technical and industry expertise especially in storage, storage management and film/video production fields. Email: Andy@MarkenCom.com.

[This is an excerpt of his Feb. 15, 2025 newsletter.]

It’s a poorly kept secret that Hollywood is the center of the universe when it comes to movie/show production. For years, the major studios controlled the films that would be made, which cinemas got which movies and when; and well, you get the picture.

The town liked that image of 100 percent control of entertainment and it still loves to extoll its successes with red carpets, premiers and award events.

But this past year, it has reminded us of Gloria Swanson’s famous quote in Sunset Boulevard as a fading silent movie star prepared for her movie comeback. You know, when Norma Desmond said, “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close–up.”

However, just as with the storyline of Sunset Boulevard, the film and the show industry isn’t fading … it’s just changing.

Yes, fewer projects are actually being made in Hollywood today.

However, the projects – regardless of where they are produced are richer, more diverse and for the most part more entertaining.

In the Americas; studios in Atlanta, New York City, Austin, New Mexico, Vancouver and Toronto as well as south of the border have attracted film and show production.

Challengers was shot in Boston. Beetlejuice was produced in Vermont. Civil War was done in Atlanta. Hit Man was created in New Orleans. Twisters was filmed in Oklahoma. Longlegs was shot in Vancouver. Joker: Folie a Deux was done in Maine, Massachusetts.

Project owners/producers also have a growing number of international production location options.

Maxxine was filmed in Ireland. The Brutalist was done in Hungary. Kraven the Hunter was filmed in England. The Substance was created in France. Wicked was filmed in England. Venom: The Last Dance was shot in Spain. Gladiator II was created in Europe and Africa. Fall Guy was filmed in Sydney. The Killers was done in France. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was shot in Sydney.

New/expanded studio facilities and virtual production sets enable creatives to duplicate/create any location on or off the planet. Economical, top–notch gear is available everywhere.

Focused, well–trained, experienced production personnel are available everywhere and countries from Croatia to Kenya to Thailand are training people in the latest technology, techniques.

Postproduction has almost become a non–issue because the internet puts project owners, producers, directors and DITs (digital imaging technicians) in instant touch with their video/sound editors, VFX and other post specialists no matter where they’re located.

In addition, project owners and producers have been able to take advantage of city, state, country production financial subsidies and “assistance.”

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Larry adds: It is easy to focus on the media turmoil in Los Angeles and New York. Those cities make a lot of noise. And there is no question media folks are suffering. But that downturn does not extend everywhere. Non-broadcast media – especially that related to social media – is exploding. Extensive, world-wide distribution is freely available. Stories are being told by folks who never had that opportunity before.

Yes, our industry is under stress, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t signs of hope sprouting up everywhere.

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