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Originally Posted by Hugh R

Tax credits are a big part of decisionmaking on where to film. But there are numerous factors, most of which I'm not privy to. We shot OZ-The Great and Powerful" 100% on soundstages, almost entirely on soundstages in Pontiac, MI. We could have shot it anywhere. We went there for the tax credits.

For "The Lone Ranger", a flop, we shot a good portion outside of Albuquerque, NM but not for the scenery (but for tax credits), it was flat desert, but we also shot in other parts of NM, AZ and UT mostly for the scenery.

Other factors include cost of labor, workmen's comp rates, costs of housing, local versus hiring from Los Angeles, and in other countries the Above-The-Line residuals for actors, writers, directors, producers, etc. Residuals when a TV show goes into syndication, are over time, a lot of money.

1/2 of my TV shows are not in California. This year and next, we are making twenty features, two will be shot mostly in California.

This is sad. We allow this to get away from us, like many of the industries. We know what the problems are but have not done too many things about so it stays here. A good 50-60% of my work are from people in the movie industry. I am a little concern about the future. I know several people who sold their homes and moved to Vancouver because they feel that's where the industry is going.