Did Hugh sell his place to his boss?

[Zeke]

L.A. County OKs Disney’s Plans for New Studio Lot Near Santa Clarita:
New Disney Studio Lot Gets OK from L.A. County | Variety

[craigster59]

Golden Oak Ranch has been owned by Disney for years. They shot a lot of early 60's movies there, probably going back to the 50's with "Spin And Marty". It was just exterior locations with exterior streets, shacks, pond, grassy areas, etc. Now they want to develop with sound stages and production facilities instaed of just a "satellite" exterior location.

Hugh could fill us in better since he's a bit closer to "The Mouse".

[craigster59]

Here's a link to the location website and some exterior shots from the original "Parent Trap' when they built the shell of the ranch house out there (interiors were shot on stage at Disney Studios). http://goldenoakranch.com/

[Hugh R]

Its 800+ acres about three miles from my house. In the last couple of years we built a Business Street and Redisential Street Facades. The plan is to build 12 soundstages, a Mill, Production Office, Commissary and an expendables store. What other non-governmental entity do you know that is investing almost a $Billion in Los Angeles County?

You can read about it here: Disney | ABC Studios at The Ranch

[red-beard]

What is the advantage? Getting outside El-Lay?

[Hugh R]

During rush hour in the morning you are headed North from the Studio in Burbank to the Ranch, its about a 20 minute drive. Pretty much the same coming back in the evening.

I can't discuss the business strategy, other than to say they expect 100% occupancy as soon as it is up and running.

[red-beard]

Could this topic be the reason for the LA Mayor's reaction?

LA mayor Eric Garcetti warns of 'state of emergency' as production firms ditch Hollywood | Mail Online

[craigster59]

No, the reason for the LA Mayor's reaction was because his predecessor was too busy bangin' TV newscasters to notice a billion dollar industry leaving his city.

[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.

[look 171]

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.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by craigster59

No, the reason for the LA Mayor's reaction was because his predecessor was too busy bangin' TV newscasters to notice a billion dollar industry leaving his city.

He use to live a couple of blocks from us. Yep, he's a real piece of work.