Hollywood Remake

It’s one of those things San Fernando Valley residents have known intuitively for years: What the rest of the world considers Hollywood’s signature products are really produced in Burbank, Studio City and North Hollywood. But a study released last week by the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley puts hard numbers behind the intuition.

For instance, the Valley accounts for nearly a quarter of all entertainment-related spending in Southern California, totaling at least $6.4 billion just for film and television production. That’s more than four times the amount spent in Hollywood proper. Surprising among the numbers was evidence that the economic benefits of entertainment are spread across the Valley. Despite a heavy concentration in the southeast Valley, sound stages and technical facilities range from Calabasas to Sylmar.

The data provide an opportunity to understand just how profound an effect the entertainment industry has on the Valley--and to find ways of both supporting and leveraging it. The numbers should spur local leaders to investigate their neighborhoods more carefully with an eye to finding clusters of entertainment-related facilities such as sound stages or editing firms. Encouraging cooperation among businesses keeps them healthy and innovative.

At the same time, the data should help city officials scout locations for new or expanding businesses. The growth rate in the entertainment business is phenomenal as proliferating media--from CD-ROMs to cable channels--demand new content. Unused warehouses in Van Nuys might be converted to sound stages. Empty offices in Reseda might make a good spots for start-up production companies.

By themselves, last week’s numbers reveal just how dependent the Valley is on the entertainment industry. Deeper analysis can help studio heads, small business owners, teachers and public officials plan to keep Hollywood strong--and in the Valley.