{"id":1148657,"date":"2022-01-25T11:52:28","date_gmt":"2022-01-25T19:52:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.moviemaker.com\/?p=1148657"},"modified":"2024-08-22T15:16:44","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T22:16:44","slug":"best-places-to-live-and-work-as-a-moviemaker-in-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moviemaker.com\/best-places-to-live-and-work-as-a-moviemaker-in-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before we begin our latest list of the Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker: Some obvious background.<\/p>\n

The COVID pandemic continues to rage on two years after the virus landed on American shores, and one of the few silver linings has been a revolution in telecommuting \u2014 giving us all more freedom than ever before to live and work where we want, how we want.<\/p>\n

The movie industry is no exception. Post-production coordinators are managing workflow between editors and animators from the comfort of their own homes, and the writers\u2019 room may also be a bedroom. Production, however, can\u2019t always be facilitated through Zoom calls. So for on-set crew, producers, and directors, it remains essential to be close to someone yelling \u201cAction!\u201d<\/p>\n

Fortunately, there is no shortage of production hubs springing up in cities, big and small, around North America. And a few \u2014 like Albuquerque and Atlanta \u2014 are even shaping up to rival MovieMaker<\/em> Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker Hall of Famers Los Angeles and New York. Dozens of other municipalities are nipping at their heels with very attractive tax incentives and infrastructure development, luring more projects to previously overlooked areas.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s dive into the evolving filmmaking landscape across the continent, starting with America\u2019s iconic entertainment capitals. These are the Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2022.<\/p>\n

Hall of Fame<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Los Angeles<\/strong><\/p>\n\"LICORICE\n

There\u2019s not much to say about L.A. that hasn\u2019t already been said. It\u2019s a great place to live \u2014 if you can afford the rising rent or ridiculous home prices, enjoy the liberal approach to policy, and don\u2019t mind daily traffic jams. The pandemic shut down a city built on the back of the entertainment industry, and now mandates require proof of vaccination to do pretty much anything indoors, so within the last two years, a lot of people moved to other areas of the country where live entertainment and production continued, for better or worse, in the age of COVID. But millions have stayed, and a lot of new residents with big dreams of making it in the City of Angels have brought fresh energy.<\/p>\n

Why stay, and why come? We reached out to Detroit Rock City<\/em> and The Last Movie Star<\/em> filmmaker Adam Rifkin to ask just that, and he gave a very thoughtful answer in return that deserves to be printed in full:<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in Chicago, which, don\u2019t get me wrong, is a fabulous city. But my dream for as long as I can remember was to move to Hollywood and make movies. Los Angeles is synonymous with film and film history. When I arrived I was awestruck by all of the movie studios, famous locations and celebrities I would see everywhere I looked.<\/p>\n

Won’t You Take 10 Seconds to Sign Up for Our Newsletter?<\/a><\/p>\n

“I suppose it\u2019s easy for some to get numb to it after you\u2019ve lived here for a while. Driving past Paramount Studios on your way to the supermarket. But to this day I am continually reminded of the city\u2019s cinematic history. You can smell it in the air. Every crack in the sidewalk seems to have a connection to an old film or a forgotten movie star. I have made movies in a variety of cities around the globe, but I can\u2019t imagine living anywhere else.<\/p>\n

“Living in Los Angeles is living in the cradle of the industry I fantasized about being a part of since my father gifted me his Sears Super-8 movie camera when I was seven years old. Hollywood is a city but it is also a mythology. A magical fantasy. A living dream. And yes, a dream is a mere sigh away from becoming a nightmare. Many tears have been shed around this town. They\u2019ve been watering the soil for generations, adding more lush green to this transient desert mirage. As Nathanael West wrote in his ode to those on the fringes of Hollywood in his 1939 novel, The Day of the Locust, \u2018Only those who still have hope can benefit from tears.\u2019<\/p>\n

“And if there\u2019s one commodity that trumps the almighty dollar in Hollywood, it\u2019s hope. Not everybody in this town has money, but everyone has hope. After all the years I\u2019ve lived here, you\u2019d think I might be more cynical about it, but just the opposite. I still believe anything is possible in this city of dreams. Incidentally, the film version of The Day of the Locust<\/em> was shot on the Paramount lot. I just drove by it on my way to the supermarket. How cool is that?!\u201d<\/p>\n

New York City<\/strong><\/p>\n\"Best\n

The local film and TV industry reached an all-time high in 2019, with approximately 185,000 jobs, $18.1 billion in wages, and $81.6 billion in total economic output. Then the pandemic hit. But data released by the Mayor\u2019s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) last summer revealed that New York City bounced back in a big way, because that\u2019s what New York City always does.<\/p>\n

Overall production has reached pre-pandemic levels, with at least 34 projects filming on the ground throughout the five boroughs by the end of August 2021. At the time of this writing, as 2021 turns to 2022, MOME lists 74 more TV and film projects getting to work in the area recently, including the HBO hit Succession<\/em>, Showtime\u2019s Billions<\/em>, and NBC\u2019s New Amsterdam<\/em>, plus upcoming Netflix rom-com Your Place or Mine<\/em>, starring Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher.<\/p>\n

The Big Apple, like other cities on this list, is a beneficiary of Netflix\u2019s continued expansion. The streaming giant opened a 170,000-square-foot studio last September in Brooklyn, with six sound stages, as well as editing suites, meeting rooms and a commissary. The sound stages have enough space to film two TV shows at the same time, or one blockbuster movie. Additionally, companies like Broadway Stages, Steiner Studios, and Kaufman Astoria are in construction on new facilities that will further add to NYC\u2019s existing 1.5 million square feet of sound stages, expand employment opportunities, and generate more dollars for the local businesses, like restaurants, that will benefit from increased foot traffic in these areas.<\/p>\n

As many Americans continue to debate vaccines, one factor that may encourage more filmmakers to move to NYC, or turn them off entirely, is former Mayor Bill de Blasio\u2019s first-in-the-nation vaccine mandate for private private-sector workers. The \u201cKey to NYC\u201d program applies to roughly 184,000 businesses, requiring proof of vaccination for both employees and patrons for indoor dining, fitness, entertainment and performance venues.<\/p>\n

MOME\u2019s comprehensive NYC Film and Television Industry Economic Impact Study 2021 also revealed another awesome fact about this production hub: Approximately 85% of filmmaking is independent, meaning that production is not funded by one of the industry\u2019s major studios. The statistic is reflective of the creative and collaborative moviemaking community that thrives in New York, and will continue to for years to come. The enduring growth of the local industry proves it\u2019s never a bad time to join the party.<\/p>\n

Big Cities<\/strong><\/h4>\n

25. Fort Worth<\/strong><\/p>\n\"Best\n

The fifth-largest city in Texas, with a population of 938,055, makes our list for the first time ever. Why now, you ask? Oscar-nominated screenwriter Taylor Sheridan returned to his home state when he bought a ranch outside Fort Worth in 2020, and he brought a good chunk of the television industry with him. 1883<\/em>, a spinoff of his hugely popular Paramount+ series Yellowstone<\/em>, started filming in the Fort Worth area last August, and it\u2019s a safe bet that it will keep filming locally for seasons to come, considering Yellowstone<\/em> is currently cable\u2019s most-watched show. Of course, that\u2019s not all that\u2019s happening in this city. Taylor Hardy, associate film commissioner, tells MovieMaker<\/em> that commercials for clients including Toyota, NFL, Penske, and Wrangler shot in the area this past year, as well as the Michael Chiklis football drama The Senior<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Texas has seen the arrival of many new residents in these pandemic years, particularly former Californians who came for cheaper homes and taxes. There\u2019s plenty to love about the area. Fort Worth has a fantastic live music scene, a thriving cultural district, and traditional Texas fun like year-round rodeo and the world\u2019s largest honky-tonk. But according to Sheridan, what newcomers will really appreciate is their neighbors. \u201cThere\u2019s a kindness in Texas that I find lacking in many other parts of the country,\u201d Sheridan said in a 2020 interview with Cowboys & Indians Magazine<\/em><\/a>. \u201cAnywhere you go in Texas, there is a genuine concern for another person\u2019s well-being. I just think it creates a structure of society that is very harmonious. I\u2019ve got a lot of people that fly in to meet with me from California or New York or whatever, and the first thing they say to me is, \u2018I can\u2019t believe how friendly everybody is. Everybody\u2019s friendly and everybody\u2019s so happy. I don\u2019t understand it.\u2019 It\u2019s like, well, they\u2019re happy because they live in Texas and they\u2019re friendly because they\u2019re happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another reason to be happy: no income tax! But, on the flip side, that hinders the state\u2019s ability to be as competitive as several other states in offering lucrative income tax credits on film and television productions. The Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program offers between five and 22.5% cash back rebates, depending on the budget, for qualifying in-state expenditures. Filmmakers also benefit from up-front sales tax exemptions, refunds on fuel tax, and state occupancy tax on hotel rooms.<\/p>\n

24. St. Petersburg<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFilm production came back in a big way in 2021,\u201d St. Petersburg film commissioner Tony Armer tells MovieMaker<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The Gulf Coast city that sits across the bay from Tampa moves up one spot from last year, as it continues to attract feature film and television productions, despite Florida not having an incentive program. \u201cAround 1,800 production companies that produced motion pictures, made-for-television motion pictures, television series, commercial advertising, music videos and sound recordings in Florida benefitted from the state\u2019s entertainment industry sales and use tax exemption on certain production-related purchases in Florida,\u201d Armer explains.<\/p>\n

About $21 million was spent in the area on productions last year, like A Taste of Love<\/em>, starring Martin Kove (Cobra Kai<\/em>) and Erin Cahill, and Hallmark Channel feature South Beach Love,<\/em> and a string of features shot-back-to-back at the end of the year for Lifetime Network. The area also attracted Netflix and Amazon Prime reality TV show productions, like Buying the Bay<\/em> and Tampa Baes<\/em>. \u201cThese films, though small, provide a great training ground for young crew, new crew looking to get their start, or crew members looking to move to other departments,\u201d Armer says. \u201cThe films provide opportunities for local actors and businesses to get their feet wet in the industry.\u201d With plenty of warmth, sunshine, and beaches, St. Pete has many of the same draws as Los Angeles, and offers a lot of cultural touchstones, as well: several film festivals, ten museums, dozens of art galleries, performing arts venues, and a vibrant mural collection spread throughout the city. Plus, the area is bursting at the seams with talented local musicians who fill venues with music all over St. Pete almost every night.<\/p>\n

23. Washington D.C.<\/strong><\/p>\n\"best\n

You don\u2019t have to be a politician to enjoy living and working in the nation\u2019s capital. Every year, film and television productions shoot in D.C. for the iconic scenery and landmarks no other locale can duplicate. Recent high-profile Washington productions include Columbia Pictures\u2019 A Journal for Jordan<\/em>, starring Michael B. Jordan and Chante\u0301 Adams, and Adam McKay\u2019s Netflix film Don\u2019t Look Up<\/em>, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Rob Morgan, and Jonah Hill (which also shot heavily in Boston).<\/p>\n

On the TV side, the city welcomed the Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux HBO drama The White House Plumbers<\/em>, and Ryan Murphy\u2019s FX drama Impeachment: American Crime Story<\/em>, starring Clive Owen and Sarah Paulson.<\/p>\n

Though the city is better known for political theater, it offers cinephiles six independent movie theaters, plus nine film festivals, in addition to a fine array of restaurants, performing arts venues, museums, and other cultural touchstones. A safe, reliable network of public transportation makes for easy commuting into the city from one of the surrounding suburbs, including Alexandria, Reston and Arlington in Virginia, and Frederick, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Rockville and Bethesda in Maryland.<\/p>\n

22. San Antonio<\/strong><\/p>\n\"best\n

Krystal Jones, the interim executive director of the San Antonio Department of Arts & Culture, tells MovieMaker<\/em> that 177 permits were issued for productions locally in 2021, including for the next documentary from Oscar- nominated director David France (How to Survive a Plague<\/em>), who is taking an inside look at the massive global race to research, develop, regulate and roll out COVID vaccines. Additionally, some scenes from Danny Boyle\u2019s upcoming Pistol<\/em>, a six-episode limited series about punk band Sex Pistols, was shot in this walkable city in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, with a celebrated culinary scene, a vibrant creative culture, and more than 300 years of history. \u201cWhere other cities might have a skyline or neighborhoods that change with the times, San Antonio is thoughtful with development, which results in a city filled with locations for every time period,\u201d Jones says, adding that the seventh-largest city in the country has \u201ca scene for every story, both urban and rural.\u201d<\/p>\n

Filmmakers can find work on a plethora of reality and documentary television shows shooting in the area, and then take advantage of more than 250 parks, libraries, and historic locations to shoot their own projects, because permits for city-owned properties are issued free of charge \u2014 part of the city\u2019s Film Strategic Plan to ensure San Antonio is one of the most film-friendly cities in the country.<\/p>\n

Jones noticed organizations hiring local filmmakers for livestream events after the pandemic shut down in-person gatherings, and is happy to report that organizations continue to utilize locals to document in-person events.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the same time, we noticed once again this year that the size and caliber of film productions inquiring about and coming to San Antonio continues to increase, resulting in San Antonio cast, crew and support services benefiting economically,\u201d Jones tells MovieMaker<\/em>. \u201cWhat I look forward to is the blend of these two trends, content demand from local businesses and organizations as well as incoming productions \u2014 especially what this means for the San Antonio cast and crew that make film happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

21. Portland<\/strong><\/p>\n\"Nicolas\n

This famously progressive city may have moved down a spot on our list this year to accommodate emerging and expanding film markets around the country, but that doesn\u2019t make it any less of an ideal community to be a part of as a filmmaker, especially if animation is your specialty. \u201cOur animation industry is one of the strongest in the world outside of L.A.,\u201d Brian Lord, manager of the Portland Film Office, tells MovieMaker<\/em>. Award-winning feature film animation studio LAIKA (Coraline<\/em>) is in the area, along with ShadowMachine (BoJack Horseman<\/em>), and branded-content specialist Deep Sky<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great West Coast city with access to everything, but it\u2019s not big in the same way that New York or Los Angeles or Chicago is,\u201d Alex Bulkley, co-founder of ShadowMachine, said in an interview with Portland Monthly. \u201cThere\u2019s an intimacy and, for lack of a better term, incestuousness to it that allows people to grow together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Major live-action projects flock to the area, as well, contributing to the $144.7 million in direct spending for the fiscal year 2020-2021. Game of Thrones<\/em>\u2019 David Benioff and D.B. Weiss produced the upcoming Netflix coming-of-age movie Metal Lords<\/em> locally, and actress Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones<\/em>) directed four of eight episodes of Peacock\u2019s upcoming supernatural drama The Girl in the Woods<\/em>. Four-time Oscar nominee Michelle Williams returned to Portland last year to shoot A24\u2019s Showing Up<\/em>, her fourth collaboration with director Kelly Reichardt (First Cow<\/em>).<\/p>\n

Expect the production business to keep growing in this Northwest city, too. Lord tells MovieMaker<\/em>, \u201cOur state film incentive fund increased from $14 million to $20 million, so there will be increased production activity accordingly.\u201d<\/p>\n

And if none of that convinces you, check out Pig<\/em>, the magnificent Nicholas Cage drama that puts Portland \u2014 and its exquisite culinary tradition<\/a> \u2014 on gorgeous display.<\/p>\n

20. Memphis<\/strong><\/p>\n\"\"\n

Memphis is one of America\u2019s greatest music cities, so naturally, it\u2019s a great place to make movies about music, too. Hustle & Flow<\/em> and Walk the Line<\/em> were both filmed in the region many moons ago, but lately the home of the vital National Civil Rights Museum has also been the base of many productions highlighting the fight against racial injustice.<\/p>\n

Portions of the ABC miniseries Women of the Movement<\/em>, produced by Will Smith and Jay-Z, were filmed around South Main Street. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball<\/em>, The Old Guard<\/em>), the series focuses on Mamie Till- Mobley (played by Tony winner Adrienne Warren) and the Civil Rights Movement after her 14-year-old son, Emmett Till, was brutally murdered by white supremacists in 1955. The city also welcomed The Scent of Linden<\/em>, the first Bulgarian feature ever produced entirely in the United States, directed by filmmaker Tzvetana “Sissy” Denkova, who lives in Memphis and set the film there to explore the American Dream through the experience of a Bulgarian immigrant. Denkova employed local crew and cast Bulgarian talent. The Memphis & Shelby County Film and Television Commission helped the first-time navigate a complicated Visa process, which should serve as an example of just how hard the film commission will work to support films set in the area.<\/p>\n

“The Memphis Film Commission went above and beyond to be there for me night and day, available to me like the closest friends would be,\u201d Denkova tells MovieMaker<\/em>. She describes local Memphis crews as \u201csome of the most compassionate and creatively hungry.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have been going to bat for me since I picked up the phone to invite them,\u201d she says. \u201cThis is especially humbling when they often have other work offers with better rates and they make the sacrifice to work on this project because they truly want to see a local feature come to life and support the ecosystem that we are all a part of. There\u2019s something that buzzes between us where we are all pulling each other up. An overall feeling of growth mindedness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Filmmakers living in Memphis will enjoy some of the best barbecue and biscuits in the country, as well as a vibrant creative culture and community of artists who create for the sake of creating. The nightlife is electric, and artists can refill their inspiration with visits to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the Sun studio, and Graceland.<\/p>\n

\u201cLiving in Memphis as a filmmaker is the best of all worlds,\u201d Denkova adds. \u201cThere\u2019s such a long runway of work before you actually get to shoot that having a work life balance is important not just financially or in terms of a more affordable standard of living, but also my need to have one foot outside of where the majority of the business lives, to experience real life, which impacts the stories you think about telling.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continue for our Best\u00a0Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2022<\/i><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Big Cities (continued)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

19. Kansas City<\/strong><\/p>\n\"\"\n

This Missouri metropolis, close to the border of Kansas, jump-started its moviemaking business last May after a COVID shutdown with innovative safety protocols that other film offices in the country utilized to shape their own. Steph Shannon, the director of the Kansas City Film Office tells MovieMaker<\/em> that film, television, and commercial productions the office assisted with generated about $11 million in 2021, and she expects business to keep rolling in.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe supportive culture in Kansas City encourages creatives to work together in collaboration to see any size project through,\u201d she says. \u201cOur professional crews always impress out-of-town producers and directors. Kansas City has six talent agencies, several of which are SAG\/AFTRA franchised agencies. Our civic leadership is highly supportive of the industry with a city-wide filming incentive, no permits to film, and meetings upon request.\u201d Writer-director Sandra Martin grew up in the Kansas City area, and makes family-oriented movies (How to Train Your Husband<\/em>, Finding Love in San Antonio<\/em>, Renovation of the Heart<\/em>) with her cinematographer husband Isaac Alongi to remain close to their deep Missouri roots. \u201cYes, we\u2019ve been busy, in 2020 we shot three movies in Kansas City and in 2021 we shot one here,\u201d Martin tells MovieMaker<\/em>. \u201cWe have found it a great place to make movies, since we have a network of great crew, access to wonderful locations and of course it\u2019s a plus being able to sleep in your own bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKansas City offers a lot of different looks,\u201d she adds. \u201cWe\u2019ve shot Kansas City for Chicago, San Antonio, even Italy!\u201d<\/p>\n

Anyone considering making a move or a movie locally can check out those looks by watching Netflix\u2019s Queer Eye<\/em>, which set up shop downtown to shoot its third and fourth seasons. The hit reality show serves as a showcase of everything the area has to offer, including the friendly population. Producer Rob Eric loved his time in the area so much that after production wrapped, he told the KC Film Office: \u201cI may move here and live here forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

18. Miami<\/strong><\/p>\n\"best\n

Seventeen film festivals. Eleven production facilities. Eleven equipment rental houses. Four film schools. Three independent movie theaters. Two film societies. All that and gorgeous scenery continue to lure dozens of productions year after year. Miami is a great place to be for filmmakers of all ages and professional experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiami-Dade has diverse locations (hills to waterfalls, anywhere USA to tropical landscapes), experienced crew, extensive talent base, and support\/ancillary businesses that support content production,\u201d Film & Entertainment commissioner Sandy Lighterman tells MovieMaker. Last year, productions generated approximately $120 million. Issa Rae (Insecure<\/em>) shot her upcoming HBO Max comedy series Rap <\/em>Sh*t<\/em> locally, and Vince Vaughn is starring in the Apple TV+ detective drama series Bad Monkey<\/em>. Both shot entirely in the area, so if successful, they should be back for the rest of their runs on television. Local crew will find no shortage of music video and commercial work, and it\u2019s also a popular shooting destination for feature films.<\/p>\n

Hollywood has a long history making movies set in the Magic City. Bad Boys<\/em>, Scarface<\/em>, Miami Vice<\/em>, Any Given Sunday<\/em>, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective<\/em> and Best Picture winner Moonlight are just a few that come to mind, and there is no doubt that the industry will keep coming back.<\/p>\n

17. San Diego<\/strong><\/p>\n

Craving California sunshine and good vibrations? San Diego is a more laid-back alternative to Los Angeles, and only a few hours away, making it very possible to capitalize on opportunities in both markets. \u201cWhile our crew base may not be as large as L.A. or New York, there is a great deal of depth to the expertise within the region and that\u2019s largely thanks to the San Diego region\u2019s quality of living,\u201d San Diego Film Office liaison Brandy Shimabukuro tells MovieMaker<\/em>. \u201cPeople choose to live and work here, and in some cases, commute to work in other destinations.\u201d After a pandemic pause, feature film production returned to the area this year with the upcoming Netflix young adult romance Purple Hearts<\/em>. A plethora of reality television shows shot in the area, as did Amazon Prime thriller series The Terminal List<\/em>, starring Chris Pratt, Taylor Kitsch, and Constance Wu.<\/p>\n

The city doesn\u2019t offer any additional tax incentives on top of California\u2019s 25 percent tax credit for qualifying film and television productions, but the city waives film permit processing and location fees.<\/p>\n

16. San Francisco<\/strong><\/p>\n\"Simu\n

The City by the Bay has hosted some of the biggest action blockbusters of the past year: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings<\/em>, Venom: Let There Be Carnage<\/em>, and The Matrix Resurrections<\/em>. And Paul Rudd will return to the famous streets of San Francisco as Antman when the third installment of the Marvel hit returns to shoot this spring.<\/p>\n

Unlike San Diego, San Francisco does offer additional incentives, in the form of the Scene in San Francisco Rebate Program, which rebates up to $600,000 per film or TV series for city expenditures, like hiring police officers and paying permit and street closure fees. A special program provides discounts on hotels, restaurants, some production equipment, entertainment, supplies, and even airfare.<\/p>\n

Film San Francisco tells MovieMaker<\/em> that 2021 was a busy year, with 233 productions shooting in the area, and it expects even more in 2022. Although the local industry is experiencing a hot streak, the temperature is much cooler than in L.A. or San Diego, which may be a plus or a minus for people, depending on their preferences.<\/p>\n

A few other positive attractions: an unbeatable restaurant scene, a historically rich live music scene, and a whopping 48 film festivals, which means endless opportunities for local filmmakers to showcase their work and network with their peers.<\/p>\n

15. Dallas<\/strong><\/p>\n\"best\n

Like Fort Worth, this city’s film industry benefited from Yellowstone<\/em> creator Taylor Sheridan moving back to his native state. His next spinoff, 1883<\/em>, shot select scenes locally in 2021, but that was just a small piece of the production pie that filmmakers get to share in this ultra-modern, sophisticated city known for a gleaming skyline and a mixture of architectural styles. Hulu teen drama series Cruel Summer<\/em> shot locally, as did a bunch of reality television shows \u2014 like Netflix\u2019s Love Is Blind<\/em> \u2014 which can mean great day jobs for camera operators and other production crew members who are looking for reliable income as they moonlight on their own creative projects. \u201cDallas\u2019 film industry is as large and diverse as the city itself. Dallas provides opportunities for filmmakers to make their projects in a wide variety of locations, as well as utilize experienced local crew, a large talent base, equipment, and vendors at a reasonable and affordable cost,\u201d Dallas Film commissioner Janis Burklund tells MovieMaker<\/em>. \u201cAdditionally, it\u2019s common for burgeoning filmmakers to work on other people\u2019s films, television projects of all types and sizes, as well as commercials, corporate films, and music videos in between their own projects to gain valuable experience.\u201d Some other perks: Texas does not collect income tax (as we mentioned before); sports fans have their choice of professional teams in the city; the average temperature is 77 degrees; cost of living is -2.7% lower than the national average; and perhaps most importantly, homes are so much more affordable than they are in Los Angeles and New York.<\/p>\n

14. Baltimore<\/strong><\/p>\n\"\"\n

Another project by The Wire<\/em>\u00a0creator David Simon came to Baltimore in 2021: We Own This City<\/em> chronicles the rise and fall of the Baltimore Police Department\u2019s Gun Trace Task Force. King Richard<\/em> director Reinaldo Marcus Green helmed all six episodes of the limited series, while Simon is a writer and executive producer. The Lee Daniels-produced FX drama The Spook Who Sat by the Door<\/em> also just shot in Baltimore, contributing to the $125 million economic impact that film and television productions have made on the city.<\/p>\n

Debbie Dorsey, director of the Baltimore Film Office, tells MovieMaker<\/em> that the city, loaded with stunning architecture from every period of American history, offers \u201ca bustling film community \u2014 from student films and small indies to national and regional commercials to large-budget studio series and everything in between.\u201d She adds: \u201cWe have an established film industry with solid infrastructure and cooperative city agencies. Baltimore is home to a lively arts and music scene, which adds to the mix of creativity.\u201d<\/p>\n

And they call it Charm City for a reason: It\u2019s a really beautiful port city with delicious crab and cool bars scattered around the many inviting neighborhoods. \u201cI feel bad when I hear people ignorantly say, \u2018Baltimore is such a mess. I\u2019ve seen The Wire<\/em>,\u2019\u201d Simon said in an interview with Baltimore Magazine<\/em><\/a>. \u201cBecause, invariably, when I say, \u2018Excuse me, do you think that\u2019s all of Baltimore?\u2019 They say, \u2018Nah. That\u2019s just the bad parts. That\u2019s the drug war.\u2019 It disappears as soon as you poke at it, but you\u2019ve got to poke at it.\u201d<\/p>\n

13. Oklahoma City<\/strong><\/p>\n\"\"\n

This flourishing moviemaking hub moves up two spots in our ranking this year because of the recent passage of the Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021, which increased the fiscal year cap on incentives from $8 million to $30 million and offers a cash rebate of 20 to 38% to encourage filming in Oklahoma.<\/p>\n

Tava Maloy Sofsky, director of the Oklahoma Film and Music Office, tells MovieMaker: \u201cOklahoma\u2019s central location, diverse landscapes, and distinct eco-regions, camera-ready workforce, and low costs for living and business make it a formidable partner for the film and television industry.\u201d The new legislature is already making an impact. Sofsky said projects utilizing the Oklahoma Film Incentive Program generated $170.4 million in direct, local expenditures. Projects shot in the state capital in the 2021 fiscal year include the upcoming biographical drama Reagan<\/em>, starring Dennis Quaid, as well as God\u2019s Not Dead: We the People<\/em>, and American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story<\/em>, starring Zachary Levi as the NFL quarterback. \u201cNot only is our talent rising to the demand, but Oklahoma continues to prove that we\u2019ve got everything you need for a major production,\u201d local filmmaker Mickey Reece tells MovieMaker<\/em>. \u201cDon\u2019t believe me, ask Scorsese. Most importantly, we have some amazing restaurants.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019s referring to Martin Scorsese\u2019s next film, Killers of the Flower Moon<\/em>, which was shot northeast of Oklahoma City in Osage County\u2019s smaller production hub Tulsa. More on that in our \u201cSmall Cities and Towns\u201d section, up ahead. Reece, meanwhile, is a prolific filmmaker in his own right, with 37 credits to his name. Watch his latest movie Agnes, a demonic possession story set in a convent, on VOD, and then keep an eye out for his next feature, Country Gold<\/em>, later this year.<\/p>\n

12. Cleveland<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cleveland continues to move up in our ranking because of increasing production activity in the area, thanks to the state\u2019s $40 million commitment to a 30% rebate based on Ohio expenditures for projects that have a minimum $300,000 spend.<\/p>\n

Oscar-nominated director Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story<\/em>) filmed his latest feature White Noise<\/em> locally in 2021, utilizing the surrounding suburbs as well as the downtown area to bring Don DeLillo\u2019s 1985 novel to life. Nick Jonas was also in town for another Jersey Boys adaptation, and the World War II submarine thriller Operation Seawolf<\/em>, starring Dolph Lundgren and Frank Grillo, also shot in town. According to the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, approximately $140 million was spent on film productions in the area last year, and an additional $25 million was spent on television productions. The industry will further flourish upon the completion of Cinema City, the vision of local filmmaker Marquette Williams, who is in the process of developing a 150,000-square-foot studio, with four sound stages, that will also double as a fertile training ground for below-the- line talent.<\/p>\n

11. Cincinnati<\/strong><\/p>\n\"\"\n

This 200-year-old riverside city continues to enjoy a boom in productions utilizing the state\u2019s inviting tax credit, as well as a wealth of locations that can double for plenty of other places. Director Todd Haynes used Cincinnati for New York City, for example, for his Oscar-nominated romantic period piece Carol.<\/p>\n

In the last year, John Ridley (12 Years a Slave<\/em>) shot his upcoming biopic about America\u2019s first Black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm, played by Oscar-winner Regina King, and Dune star Timothe\u0301e Chalamet reunited with his Call Me by Your Name director Luca Guadagnino to shoot Bones and All<\/em>. Guadagnino told Deadline<\/em> it was \u201camazing\u201d to work in the area, which he described as \u201cbeautiful and unseen.\u201d Cinematographer Juanmi Azpiroz, who shot Hulu\u2019s Frank Grillo action movie Boss Level<\/em>, relocated from New York to live in the area, and he gives a glowing review.<\/p>\n

\u201cI found a team in Cincinnati \u2014 talented, good people. I work with them not because it\u2019s easy but because they\u2019re really, really good,\u201d he told the Cincinnati film office. \u201cPeople across the industry acknowledge the talent of these people. They\u2019re also amazing people. You don\u2019t find that everywhere, especially in this business. I couldn\u2019t ask for more out of this community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continue for our Best\u00a0Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2022<\/i><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Big Cities (continued)<\/h4>\n

10. Calgary<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last year, we declared that the future of this Canadian city looked bright when productions brought in $200 million, and we weren\u2019t lying: that figure jumped to $500 million in 2021. HBO\u2019s The Last of Us<\/em>, an adaptation of the popular post-apocalyptic video game, shot in the region last fall with star Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian<\/em>), and Andrew Garfield was in the area as well to shoot the upcoming HBO series Under The Banner Of Heaven<\/em>, executive produced by Jason Bateman, Dustin Lance Black, Ron Howard, and Brian Grazer. And the Predator offshoot Skulls shot in the area last spring.<\/p>\n

Luke Azevedo, the film commissioner of the Calgary Economic Development office, tells MovieMaker<\/em> that this film-friendly city \u201cisn\u2019t just a city to make a good living; It\u2019s also a city to make a great life.\u201d Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the easily accessible mountains and trails for weekend adventuring in an area known for 333 days of sunshine, as well as the rich culture in the city: It boasts six independent movie theaters, over a dozen museums, many live music venues, and a growing list of film festivals. \u201cWe offer an unparalleled variety of locations with the Rocky Mountains, Prairies and Badlands at the doorstep of a thriving, inclusive, and safe urban municipality,\u201d adds Azevedo. He\u2019s also jazzed about continuing to nurture \u201cequity, diversity, and inclusion\u201d within the city\u2019s film scene through collaborations with the Calgary Black Film Festival and Being Black in Calgary, as well as Indigenous partners.<\/p>\n

Ron E. Scott, the founder of independent production company Prairie Dog Film + Television, takes advantage of that scenery to shoot the police procedural Tribal. \u201cGrowing up in Alberta, I\u2019m thankful to have Calgary close by as it offers many variations for high-production-value locations,\u201d he tells MovieMaker<\/em>. \u201cWith the drama series Tribal, our goal is to tell relevant, ripped-from-the-headlines Indigenous voiced stories that aren\u2019t typically shown on-screen.\u201d<\/p>\n

He adds: \u201cCalgary also offers an incredibly diverse landscape that makes it so storytellers have choices. You can go from a busy big city downtown to gorgeous mountain views or sprawling prairies within 30 minutes. Film and TV production has been booming in Alberta, and we are proud to be a Calgary company that facilitates all stages of production, including post-production for its shows in this province.\u201d<\/p>\n

9. Philadelphia<\/strong><\/p>\n\"best\n

This historic city is a particularly good place for young filmmakers to start their journey, considering there are 13 film schools to choose from, as well as 22 film festivals to showcase their work. It\u2019s a much more affordable alternative to New York City for those that want to live close to the film industry there, and offers enough convenient public transportation that residents don\u2019t need to drive much, either.<\/p>\n

Walkable neighborhoods like Manayunk, Fishtown, Old City, Rittenhouse Square, South Philadelphia, and Germantown (to name just a few) offer unique charm, atmosphere, and architecture, and they\u2019re all a short train ride away from each other, so it\u2019s not hard to see friends across town. Cheesesteaks are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Philly\u2019s delicious food, and tailgating is a popular pastime with five major sports teams to choose from. The region was showcased recently in the HBO hit drama Mare of Easttown<\/em>, starring Kate Winslet, and continues to be the principal photography location for Season 3 of M. Night Shyamalan\u2019s creepy Apple TV+ series Servant<\/em>. Nearly 400 projects were shot in the City of Brotherly Love in the last fiscal year, bringing $147.8 million of direct spending to the area.<\/p>\n

\u201cPhiladelphia embodies the independent spirit of our nation, and our film community is no different,\u201d Sharon Pinkenson, executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, tells MovieMaker<\/em>. \u201cIn recent years, more and more independent films have chosen to set themselves up in Philadelphia, with a wide variety of budgets and needs. They aren\u2019t the only ones who love our city, though. Multiple large studio projects also call our city home every year, along with plenty of local and national commercials, Oscar-nominated documentaries, a constant stream of music videos, and more. These projects all bring consistent work to our union and non-union crew. When you pair local moviemakers with our large contingent of artists, actors, musicians, and more, Philadelphia is the perfect place to foster your creative talents.\u201d<\/p>\n

8. Austin<\/strong><\/p>\n\"\"\n

The SXSW Film Festival plans to return this year, which will no doubt give this film-friendly city a renewed sense of normalcy. There are also 35 other film festivals in the Texas capital, so opportunities for inspiration, networking, and showcasing your work are abundant, as is sunshine, warm weather, and great food. Also: jobs. The Austin Film Commission tells MovieMaker<\/em> that productions generated an estimated $250 million in spending in 2021, thanks in part to the upcoming Robert Rodriguez thriller Hypnotic, starring Ben Affleck, and the HBO limited crime series Love and Death, starring Elizabeth Olsen and created by David E. Kelley. Although the area regularly draws feature and television production, film commissioner Brian Gannon says commercials are a lifeline for local crew.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur local indie filmmakers, like most places, pay the bills and finance projects doing commercial work,\u201d Gannon tells MovieMaker<\/em>. \u201cThirty-five commercials for national brand campaigns were filmed in Austin, including Lowes, Chevy, Kia, Toyota, HEB, Xfinity, Indian Motorcycle, Samsung, and Dell.\u201d<\/p>\n

Indie filmmakers have access to 19 equipment rental houses, dozens of production facilities, and a collaborative community of professional filmmakers, who are known for trading duties on each other\u2019s projects, which can take advantage of free filming in city parks and on state property.<\/p>\n

7. Chicago<\/strong><\/p>\n

This Midwestern metropolis is the place to be if you want to make TV. As of last September, the spend from productions was approaching $600 million, with 80 percent coming from episodic television, in addition to features and commercials. NBC dramas Chicago Med<\/em>, Chicago PD<\/em>, and Chicago Fire<\/em> were among those productions, as well as HBO\u2019s The Time Traveler\u2019s Wife<\/em>. Fox drama The Big Leap<\/em> shot in Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, one of over a dozen production facilities in the area, including post-production houses, and local filmmakers have access to 16 equipment rental houses, as well as deeply experienced crews to use that equipment effectively. The Windy City\u2019s film culture is further enriched by over 40 film festivals throughout the year, as well as 11 independent movie theaters, like the historic Music Box Theatre \u2014 a go-to venue for independent, foreign, cult, and classic films. Chicago\u2019s iconic skyline and skyscrapers, combined with world-class architecture and scenic locations \u2014 urban, suburban, rural, and lakefront \u2014 make it as beautiful of a place to shoot as it is to live. And the state\u2019s well-established production infrastructure, plus a 30 percent tax incentive for qualified Illinois spending, will continue luring major productions to the area so that local moviemakers can keep successfully doing what they love.<\/p>\n

6. Vancouver<\/strong><\/p>\n\"\"\n

This production-oriented city is a great place to make a living as a filmmaker, or to learn the craft by attending one of 17 film schools in the area. It\u2019s the hometown of super-successful writing-producing duo Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, who have returned to shoot multiple projects since Superbad<\/em> launched their careers behind the camera.<\/p>\n

Goldberg once told CBC News that growing up in an environment where production thrives put them on the path to success.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe that there\u2019s no chance either of us would be doing what we\u2019re doing if we weren\u2019t from a city that is a movie city,\u201d he said. \u201cA lot of my American friends don\u2019t understand that this is truly a movie town.\u201d Recent movies filmed in this bustling West Coast seaport include Sonic the Hedgehog 2<\/em>, Disney\u2019s live-action Peter Pan and Wendy<\/em>, and the Jennifer Lopez assassin action thriller The Mother<\/em>. On the television side, The CW takes full advantage of British Columbia\u2019s attractive tax credit incentives to shoot Batwoman<\/em>, Nancy Drew<\/em>, Supergirl<\/em>, Legends of Tomorrow<\/em> and The Flash<\/em>. The sparkling, modern cityscape with a world-class public transportation system is surrounded by water on three sides, with mountain views and lots of green to balance out the skyscrapers and cement. That means when you\u2019re not busy working, you can get busy living a very fulfilling life, loaded with culture and adventure. You\u2019ll have countless options with Vancouver\u2019s rich foodie scene, frequent film festivals, independent arthouse movie theaters, music venues, and five major sports teams. Four seasons allow for every type of outdoor fun imaginable, and you can find serenity now by basking in the city\u2019s beautiful botanical and Zen gardens.<\/p>\n

5. Boston<\/strong><\/p>\n\"best\n

With roughly $300 million in production spending in the last year, Boston continues to move up in our ranking, and its promising outlook for the future of the business suggests it may be even higher on our list next year. The inviting 25% production credit, 25% payroll credit, and a sales-tax exemption was set to expire in 2022, but Gov. Charlie Baker signed a law last summer that made the Massachusetts film tax credit program permanent. The passage of that legislation led Angela Peri, the founder of Boston Casting, to tell Bloomberg Radio last summer that she expects a production boom similar to Toronto\u2019s (more on that later).<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m telling you, there\u2019s going to be work for everybody,\u201d she said. \u201cPeople should go back to college and learn how to become a crew member.\u201d With 10 film schools in the area, it\u2019s a great city to do just that. John Alzapiedi, assistant director of the Massachusetts Film Office, echoes that sentiment with some insider information: \u201cA highly promising lineup of feature films and TV series [are] considering Massachusetts,\u201d he tells MovieMaker<\/em>.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s after more big-budget productions already shot locally in 2021, including Marvel\u2019s highly anticipated Black Panther<\/em> sequel, another season of FX\u2019s American Horror Story<\/em>, Showtime\u2019s Dexter<\/em>, and the upcoming Jon Hamm comedy Confess, Fletch<\/em>.<\/p>\n

4. Montreal<\/strong><\/p>\n

If visual effects are your specialty, all the more reason to consider moving to this Canadian metropolis not far from the U.S. border. Over 40 VFX companies have set up shop in Montreal, making it one of the largest post-production hubs in the world. But there are also plenty of productions that come to the area for principal photography, as well. Last year, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts<\/em> was shot locally, and horror maestro Ari Aster shot his next feature, Disappointment Blvd.<\/em>, starring Joaquin Phoenix, in the area as well. \u201cQu\u00e9bec is renowned throughout the world for its highly qualified, talented, creative, outstanding workforce,\u201d Yan Ethier, cultural development agent at the Montr\u00e9al Film and Television Commission tells MovieMaker<\/em>. The office expects final figures for production spend in 2021 to be somewhere between $350-$400 million for film and TV production, and between $600-$700 million for VFX and animation. And the lure for live-action blockbuster productions from studios and streaming giants will only increase in 2023, when TVA Group\u2019s 160,000-square-foot film studio MELS 4 opens for business. The cornucopia of employment opportunities in the expanding film and television production market is complimented by the city\u2019s colorful neighborhoods, delicious eats, culturally diverse residents, and an abundance of festival events, such as the Montreal World Film Festival, the International Jazz Festival, and the Just for Laughs comedy festival.<\/p>\n

The gravy on the poutine? Quebecers have a reputation for being warm, welcoming, tolerant and respectful, which is essential in a place to live and work.<\/p>\n

3. Atlanta<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Georgia Department of Economic Development celebrated a blockbuster year of production in the state with a record $4 billion in direct spending in the 2021 fiscal year. The 366 productions filmed in Georgia included 21 feature films, 45 independent films, 222 television and episodic productions, 57 commercials, and 21 music videos.<\/p>\n

Atlanta is the epicenter of all this activity. Recent productions include Marvel\u2019s Guardians of the Galaxy 3<\/em>, as well as the Netflix Halloween spectacular Boo!<\/em>, starring Marlon Wayans and Stranger Things<\/em> breakout Priah Ferguson as a father and daughter thwarting an ancient spirit. The area, which offers the second-
\nlargest amount of sound stage space behind California, also welcomed Benicio Del Toro and Justin Timberlake to film Reptile<\/em>, as well as Josh Brolin, Glenn Close, Brendan Fraser and Peter Dinklage for Brothers. Gov. Brian Kemp touted record-breaking financial figures as a testament to early and effective safety protocols that allowed production to resume earlier than in other states. But recent legislation \u2014 like 2019\u2019s \u201cheartbeat\u201d anti-abortion law and a 2021 voting law that limits mail-in voting and adds new identification requirements \u2014 turned off some filmmakers. Director Antoine Fuqua and Will Smith moved their Civil War drama Emancipation<\/em> to New Orleans, while Mark Hamill and director James Mangold said they would no longer work in the state. \u201cOn behalf of the more than 18,000 members of the Directors Guild of America, including more than 400 who make their home in Georgia, and hundreds more who choose Georgia as the location for their film and television projects, we write to condemn the voter suppression law Senate Bill 202, which threatens to undermine the pillar of our democracy \u2014 the right to vote,\u201d read a letter that the Directors Guild of America sent to the governor.<\/p>\n

However, Black Panther II<\/em> director Ryan Coogler and Tyler Perry are among the high-profile filmmakers who agree with former state representative and gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoycotts have been an important tool throughout our history to achieve social change. But here\u2019s the thing: Black, Latino, AAPI and Native American voters, whose votes are the most suppressed under SB 202, are also the most likely to be hurt by potential boycotts,\u201d Abrams said. \u201cTo our friends across the country, please do not boycott us. And to my fellow Georgians, stay and fight, stay and vote.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Toronto<\/strong><\/p>\n

The biggest city in Canada has also become one of the biggest production hubs in the world. The city\u2019s film office tells MovieMaker<\/em> that Toronto reached $2.2 billion in production spending in 2019, and despite the pandemic, is on target to exceed this record in 2021 and in 2022, with more productions than ever taking advantage of generous tax credits, a huge pool of experienced talent, and an expanding collection of sound stages.<\/p>\n

By 2025, the city expects a 63% increase in sound stage space from the current capacity, expanding to 5,300,000 square feet. Hackman Capital Partners announced last November that it is working with the City of Toronto to develop a new complex called Basin Media Studios, which will offer eight large, state-of-the-art sound stages, production offices, and support and workshop space. The city expects it will create 750 direct jobs on-site, plus 880 indirect or induced jobs in the broader community, which also benefits from Netflix Canada and Amazon Studios Canada being headquartered in town.<\/p>\n

The Netflix series Locke and Key<\/em> shot Season 3 locally in 2021, as did Amazon\u2019s subversive superhero series The Boys<\/em> and Amazon\u2019s adaptation of literary action hero Jack Reacher<\/em>. Taylor Sheridan\u2019s Mayor of Kingstown<\/em>, starring Jeremy Renner, shot in the area as well. The city offers easily accessible public transportation, including a far-reaching network of subway lines, streetcars and buses, which connect residents with all of the art, food, culture, sports, and the outdoors that Toronto offers.<\/p>\n

Continue for our Best\u00a0Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2022<\/i><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Big Cities (continued)<\/h4>\n

1. Albuquerque<\/strong><\/p>\n

This marks the fourth year in a row that this New Mexico metropolis has claimed the title as the best place to live and work as a moviemaker in North America.<\/p>\n

And for good reason: production spend during the fiscal year of 2021 surpassed spending in the 2019 fiscal year by over $100 million. \u201cEstimated spend for fiscal year 2021 was $500 million,\u201d Cyndy McCrossen, the city\u2019s film liaison, tells MovieMaker<\/em>. \u201cFiscal year 2022 is at pace to continue that upward trend.\u201d The production boom is breathing new life into the entire city, including a budding film tourism business to satisfy visitors\u2019 curiosity as to where huge television hits like Stranger Things<\/em> and Breaking Bad<\/em> were filmed. It’s also helping ancillary businesses like Crafty Apes \u2014 a full-service special effects company that opened a 2,000-square-foot facility recently \u2014 and Keslow Camera, a camera rental house based in Los Angeles that opened an office in Albuquerque. Netflix is a huge driver behind this growth. The streaming giant bought ABQ Studios in 2018, pledging to spend $1 billion in the state, and furthered that commitment with another billion-dollar-pledge in 2020. This year, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham celebrated the opening of NBCUniversal’s New Mexico Production Studio in Albuquerque after the ribbon-cutting ceremony was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. “We are not just making movies here. We are a movie industry hub for the United States and the world,\u201d Grisham told local paper The Santa Fe New Mexican<\/em>.<\/a> The governor\u2019s support of the film industry echoes a sentiment McCrossen expressed to MovieMaker<\/em>: \u201cAlbuquerque is a movie town. The city government and the citizens themselves take great pride in the industry and culture of film.\u201d<\/p>\n

State officials, like Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes and New Mexico Film Office director Amber Dodson, support the booming business by actively encouraging talent to relocate to the state. Michael D. Jones, an Albuquerque-based producer and the founder of Silver Heart Productions, tells MovieMaker<\/em>, \u201cI was scouting a movie in ABQ when Alicia Keyes and Amber Dodson personally asked me to move to New Mexico. They said they needed someone with my experience, so I had nothing to lose.\u201d He adds: \u201cI could no longer afford to live in the Bay Area, so I bought a brand-new model home across the street from Netflix. And then COVID hit and my movies were stalled.\u201d But that freeze has thawed, and Jones is back in business in a big way, telling MovieMaker<\/em> he recently completed a feature called Robots, shot in the area with stars Shailene Woodley and Jack Whitehall. \u201cIt was great using as many New Mexico locals and locations. I\u2019m excited about the next opportunities in 2022 as we have about three movies lined up. I appreciate the vast diverse looks of New Mexico, and how easy it is working with the state and local film office.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continue for our Best\u00a0Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2022<\/i><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Small Cities & Towns<\/h4>\n

10. Ashland, Oregon<\/strong><\/p>\n\"best\n

This beautiful little Oregon city, just north of the California border, is nestled between stunning natural scenery: As the hot and dry summer turns into cool autumn, richly colored leaves compliment the lush greenery and snow-capped mountains, encapsulating a magical view that looks right out of a movie. The view was captured in Reese Witherspoon\u2019s 2014 hiking drama Wild<\/em>, and it has only been attracting more productions and film industry professionals since. Cinematographer Sean Porter (Green Book<\/em>) and actor Jim Belushi snatched up large properties to cultivate the wild lands of The Rogue Valley, where Belushi set up shop as a cannabis farmer on the outskirts of Ashland\u2019s northern neighbor, Medford.<\/p>\n

\u201cI still recall that shocking and shivering moment as I first took a deep dive into the waters of the Rogue River. When I emerged, I felt as though I had been baptized. I saw the light,\u201d the actor writes on the Belushi\u2019s Farms website, explaining his decision to relocate his family from Los Angeles. \u201cThe river spirits had cleansed me and I immediately began the journey to find what this magnificent river had to offer.\u201d It birthed a budding marijuana business for Belushi, and jobs for local crew hired to shoot his docu-style television series Growing Belushi in 2021\u2014a year that Robin Smith of Film Southern Oregon tells MovieMaker<\/em> was understandably slow for productions in the area. \u201cCOVID-19 has greatly affected filmmaking the past two years in the Medford metro,\u201d Smith says. \u201cFilmmakers have been completing commercial work this year as many film productions were halted.\u201d A large part of the appeal of living in this area is its close proximity to other great moviemaking cities. You can take a direct flight to Los Angeles, or drive a few hours south to San Francisco, or a few hours north to Portland. The area provides no shortage of world-class hiking and outdoor adventuring, while Ashland, in particular, has a flourishing cultural scene that nurtures a vibrant community of filmmakers and artists. It\u2019s home to the world-famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and has several movie theaters that showcase Hollywood tentpoles, independent arthouse cinema, and work from local filmmakers, who have their pick of gorgeous outdoor shooting locations that beef up production value without blowing a budget.<\/p>\n

9. Richmond<\/strong><\/p>\n

Central Virginia is as attractive of a place to shoot as it is to live, with a 20-40 percent tax credit for film, television, documentary and commercial productions, as well as picturesque rolling hillsides in the country region surrounding the Richmond metropolis area, home to 1.3 million people.<\/p>\n

\u201cRichmond has truly become a renowned destination for filmmakers, with key independent films and award-winning television and streaming series putting us on the map more than ever before,\u201d Margaret Finucane of the Virginia Film Office tells MovieMaker<\/em>. \u201cThere has been a measured rush of filmmaking over the years, creating a buzz in the community and inspiring local support for production, while maintaining an atmosphere of unencumbered creativity and film-friendliness that more-trafficked cities often lose over time.\u201d That rush of projects included Danny Strong\u2019s Hulu miniseries Dopesick<\/em> in 2021, as well as Apple TV+\u2019s Swagger<\/em>, AMC\u2019s The Walking Dead: World Beyond<\/em>, and Apple Original Films\u2019 Raymond and Ray<\/em>, starring Ethan Hawke and Ewan McGregor.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur mission is always to add value to all our productions that film in the commonwealth to keep them coming back,\u201d Finucane adds.<\/p>\n

That should be reassuring to professional moviemakers who want to live in a small, historic city protected by safety practices set forth by the state government, in addition to all industry-wide suggested best practices. It also boasts architectural splendor and great cultural activities \u2014 like over a dozen film festivals\u2014 while continuing to work on big-budget productions. The Virginia Film Office keeps them hooked by offering most government buildings as shooting locations free of charge, as well as State Farm, a 3,000-acre scenic backlot that housed sets for recent period pieces Harriet and The Good Lord Bird. There are also 10 production facilities in the area, which is currently open to all safe, responsible productions.<\/p>\n

8. Wilmington, North Carolina<\/strong><\/p>\n\"black\n

It sounds like there has never been a better time to be a filmmaker in this charming port city, offering a temperate coastal climate with beaches and a boardwalk, a bustling Historic District, and a Riverwalk lined with restaurants, galleries and shops.<\/p>\n

With $327 million in direct spend from over a dozen productions utilizing the area, Wilmington Regional Film Commission executive director Johnny Griffin tells MovieMaker, \u201c2021 has been the best year ever in filmmaking history in Wilmington.\u201d And the history stretches back decades. \u201cThe film-friendly region has crews three generations deep from line producers to PAs,\u201d Griffin says. \u201cWith the Cucalorus Film Festival being 27 years old, we boast a strong independent filmmaking community as well. Film is part of the fabric of the community.\u201d Scott Derrickson (Sinister<\/em>) shot his new horror film The Black Phone<\/em> in Wilmington last spring, and director Gabriela Cowperthwaite (Blackfish<\/em>) filmed her upcoming science-fiction feature I.S.S. locally as well. Although the pandemic isn\u2019t over yet, Griffin says, \u201cBeing more remote and less densely populated has helped with COVID issues.\u201d Griffin doesn\u2019t expect the boom to bust any time soon. \u201cI feel that we have so many opportunities ahead now with growing our crew numbers and adding additional infrastructure to accommodate this massive production increase.\u201d<\/p>\n

7. Providence<\/strong><\/p>\n\"\"\n

Filmmakers bedeviled by L.A.\u2019s notorious traffic may be tempted to make the move to Rhode Island\u2019s capital when they read the following words. \u201cOur small size is a great asset,\u201d says Steven Feinberg, executive director of the Rhode Island Film & TV Office. \u201cRush-hour traffic lasts five minutes!\u201d Perhaps that\u2019s why Oscar-winning director Peter Farrelly (Green Book<\/em>) and his brother Bobby have maintained strong local ties for decades despite huge success in Hollywood with blockbuster comedies Dumb and Dumber<\/em> and There\u2019s Something About Mary<\/em>. Local production in 2021 generated about $100 million, thanks in part to Disney\u2019s long-awaited Hocus Pocus sequel, as well as the HBO period drama series The Gilded Age<\/em>. Big-budget productions are lured in by a competitive 30% transferable tax credit for both above- and below-the- line qualified expenditures, and Feinberg says the \u201cfilm culture is growing rapidly and gaining experience every year,\u201d which means continued opportunities for local crew. With Boston only an hour north, and New York City about three hours south, there are major filmmaking markets beyond the city itself to tap into. Locals can enjoy some of the finest beaches in New England when they\u2019re not working, and Providence offers great restaurants, parks, well-maintained playgrounds for kids, a fantastic zoo, and arthouse movie theaters Avon Cinema and Greenwich Odeum.<\/p>\n

6. Victoria, British Columbia<\/strong><\/p>\n\"best\n

This stunning city located on the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island is safe, clean, and walkable, with lush, green gardens and exquisite Victorian (of course) architecture, plus great shopping and dining. The year-round mild climate pairs nicely with all of the beaches, mountains, parks and hiking trails, while the diverse landscape pairs well with filmmaking. The greater Victoria area provides English castles, rolling vineyards, crashing surf, and a cityscape perfect for doubling European streets. Local shooting locations have served as New York City\u2019s Central Park, the Oregon coast, the French Quarter, and Napa Valley. The Netflix drama series Maid shot in the area in 2021, as did the Hallmark Channel series Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries and several of the network’s original movies. “Victoria has been lovely to work in and around and I wouldn’t hesitate to return,” Maid producer Bonnie Benwick told the Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission.<\/p>\n

Film commissioner Kathleen Gilbert tells MovieMaker<\/em> that a crew of over 500 experienced local technicians and a large pool of day players and background performers live in the area. And with a proposal for Malahat Film Studios \u2014 a world-class production studio with six sound stages \u2014 to be built on 80 acres just outside the city, the area would welcome more. The proposal forecasts the studio project would provide 1,500 jobs, making it one the top employers in the region, and Gilbert expects it would attract huge productions.<\/p>\n

As the name of the island implies, Vancouver is only a 30-minute commute away (by plane or helicopter, at least), and Seattle, Washington is also a direct flight or ferry ride across the Salish Sea.<\/p>\n

5. Tulsa<\/strong><\/p>\n\"\"\n

Last year we noted that Tulsa tripled its number of productions between 2017 and 2019, including 2020 Sundance hit and Oscar winner Minari<\/em>, leading to its debut in the No. 7 slot. The city, built along the Arkansas River, moved up in our ranking this year thanks to the Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021, which introduced new incentives for productions, including a cash rebate base of 20 percent, with additional uplifts of up to 38 percent on qualifying Oklahoma expenditures by film and television productions filming in the state. Also, cinematic icon Martin Scorsese chose Tulsa to shoot his upcoming drama Killers of the Flower Moon<\/em>, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. And the city\u2019s racial history, a focus of the recent HBO series Watchmen<\/em>, has also been examined in high-profile documentary productions including CNN Films\u2019 Dreamland<\/em>: The Burning of Black Wall Street<\/em> and the History Channel\u2019s Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cDespite the pandemic, the Tulsa region saw a record-setting number of productions, with 41 projects filming during 2020-21,\u201d Abby Kurin, executive director of the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts, and Culture, tells MovieMaker<\/em>. \u201cTulsa is a creative canvas that inspires period pieces and modern-day stories. Art deco architecture throughout downtown paired with Route 66 and wide- open spaces, Tulsa\u2019s charm, and creative appeal will inspire your next project.\u201d<\/p>\n

She expects the state\u2019s new tax incentives will only lead to further records being broken, and is happy to report that Taika Waititi\u2019s FX comedy series Reservation Dogs<\/em> will return to shoot Season 2 in Tulsa. And with three colleges in the area \u2014 University of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University and Tulsa Tech \u2014 offering film degrees, it\u2019s shaping up to be a great little city for the next generation of filmmakers to begin their careers.<\/p>\n

4. Pittsburgh<\/strong><\/p>\n\"\"\n

\u201cWith seven film productions in the region in 2021, the Pittsburgh film industry is the busiest it has ever been,\u201d Dawn Keezer, director of the Pittsburgh Film Office, tells MovieMaker<\/em>. \u201cSince 1990, film industry projects in Southwestern Pennsylvania have created thousands of jobs and countless business opportunities by generating nearly $2 billion in economic impact to our region, with more than 200 feature films and television productions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most recently, the lovely western Pennsylvania city hosted the crew behind the upcoming Netflix biopic Rustin<\/em>, about gay civil rights activist, Bayard Rustin who helped organize the 1963 March on Washington. Dustin Lance Black (Milk<\/em>) co-wrote the screenplay with director George C. Wolfe (Ma Rainey\u2019s Black Bottom<\/em>), which is a recipe for awards season buzz in 2022.<\/p>\n

With 18 production facilities, seven equipment rental houses, seven independent movie theaters, nine film festivals, and three local organizations dedicated to supporting filmmakers, it\u2019s a great metropolis for those who want to make a living doing what they love in a friendly, affordable city built along the intersection of three rivers. There are plenty of cultural offerings to explore, and Pittsburgh offers great bars, delicious food and major sports teams with very passionate followings.<\/p>\n

3. Santa Fe<\/strong><\/p>\n\"harder\n

Enjoy 300 days of sunshine, four seasons, majestic sunsets, and Spanish Pueblo-style adobe architecture in this growing haven for artists of all kinds, who can enjoy excellent hiking, mountain biking, and skiing, as well as art galleries, shops, and restaurants galore in the downtown district.<\/p>\n

Santa Fe Film Office commissioner Jennifer LaBar-Tapia tells MovieMaker<\/em> that New Mexico\u2019s capital city is \u201ca mecca for independent filmmakers,\u201d because of total support from the city and county governing bodies, a homegrown base of crews who are ready to work, and a wide variety of stunning shooting locations, with production facilities, sound stages, and equipment rentals within the city limits.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can do all genres of film here in New Mexico, but historically, and presently, a standout genre for our state is Westerns,\u201d New Mexico Film Office director Amber Dodson said in 2021, a year that attracted several projects of that genre to the Santa Fe area. Amazon Studios and Plan B Entertainment\u2019s Outer Range<\/em>, starring Josh Brolin, shot locally last spring, and CW\u2019s Roswell, New Mexico<\/em> series continued to lease the Santa Fe Studios for principal production. Santa Fe also welcomed the Netflix Western The Harder They Fall<\/em> with Jonathan Major, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz and Regina King. More production opportunities are only 60 miles away in an even larger New Mexico production hub, Albuquerque, which reclaimed the top spot in our ranking of the best big cities to live and work as a moviemaker. Santa Fe doesn\u2019t offer any additional tax credits to productions that shoot in the area, but the state\u2019s incentives are already attractive enough, with a 25 to 35 percent refundable tax credit for just about any type of production, with no minimum budget or spend requirement on feature production, and no pesky sunset clause.<\/p>\n

2. Savannah<\/strong><\/p>\n

This beautiful, walkable city is home to the largest historic district in the United States, with 22 historic squares, quaint brick streets, and well-preserved architectural treasures, which give this popular film shoot destination much of the charm that lures major productions year after year.<\/p>\n

As of mid-December, Savannah saw $113.1 million in direct spending on productions in 2021. Tyler Perry\u2019s upcoming drama A Jazzman\u2019s Blues<\/em> shot in Savannah, as did actor Gerard Butler\u2019s next action thriller, Chase<\/em>. On top of Georgia\u2019s very welcoming 30 percent base tax credit, Savannah offers an additional 10 percent local rebate for productions, and also offers a workforce relocation incentive. Georgia, in general, has become a production powerhouse, which is one of the reasons Savannah moved up two spots in our ranking since last year. Opportunities in the film and television business are abundant. The Georgia Department of Economic Development announced last summer that it saw a record $4 billion in direct spending on productions in the state during the 2021 fiscal year, compared to $2.9 billion direct spend in 2019. During that time period, 366 productions filmed in the state, which both Disney and Warner Bros. have been taking full advantage of.<\/p>\n

Beth Nelson, the executive director and Film Commissioner of the Savannah Regional Film Commission, tells MovieMaker<\/em>, \u201cAfter the industry-wide shut down due to the COVID pandemic, we are looking forward to resuming production and landing projects that scouted here last year. We bounced back to pre-pandemic levels of production and are busier than ever. We anticipate a prosperous year for our local crew and film vendors, and high economic growth for our region.\u201d Additionally, the Savannah Regional Film Commission is proud to have been named 2021 Outstanding Film Commission by the Location Managers Guild International for their collaboration with director Barry Jenkins on his Amazon series The Underground Railroad<\/em>, which was shot in Savannah prior to the pandemic.<\/p>\n

Continue for our Best\u00a0Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2022<\/i><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Small Cities & Towns (continued)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

1. New Orleans<\/strong><\/p>\n

The number one small city on our list of the Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker is, once again, The Big Easy.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s not hard to see why: Dollars generated from film and television productions in the Louisiana city have nearly doubled since last year, when we thought $475 million was jaw-dropping. Carroll Morton, director of Film New Orleans, tells MovieMaker<\/em> that figure increased to $903 million in the last year, so there are plenty of opportunities for work.<\/p>\n

Will Smith\u2019s previously mentioned Emancipation<\/em> was shot here in 2021, as well as Netflix\u2019s supernatural family film We Have a Ghost<\/em> and AMC\u2019s upcoming Interview with the Vampire<\/em> series. Producers looking to take advantage of the 25 percent base tax credit would be wise to partner with local screenwriters, too, because the state offers an additional 10 percent tax credit to productions using a Louisiana screenplay, and another 15 percent if Louisiana resident labor is employed.<\/p>\n

Local writer-producer-director Angela Tucker is collaborating with Queen Latifah on her next film Paper Chase<\/em>, a teen comedy about a New Orleans teenager who throws a rager to raise money for college tuition. \u201cMoving to NOLA is the best thing I\u2019ve done for my career,\u201d Tucker tells MovieMaker<\/em>. \u201cIt\u2019s a small community where everyone supports each other and keeps each other busy. It\u2019s a community of culture, creativity and uniqueness; with all of the inspiration around us, New Orleans is a gift to creators of every medium. A fantastic place to call home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although the area was heavily impacted by COVID this past summer, the city has dropped its mask mandate and, as of this writing, it is mostly open without restrictions. That means filmmakers can enjoy live music again in their leisure time, and look forward to the return of iconic cultural celebrations, like Mardi Gras and the Jazz & Heritage Festival, set to return in the spring of 2022 after the pandemic forced a two-year hiatus. \u201cMusic and culture simply rises up from our city\u2019s streets,\u201d Morton says. \u201cNo city on earth can celebrate the way that we do!\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Before we begin our latest list of the Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker: Some obvious background. […]","protected":false},"author":1660,"featured_media":1148789,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"disable_comments":false,"tpd_featured_posts_arr":"","hide_featured_img_single_post":false,"msn_featured_video":[],"_msn_custom_title":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[41835,41836,41839,11],"tags":[5242,3471,5241,817,1621,38770,38772,38771,10105,38673,3188,9145,3277,13452,10014,7105,12543,10077,38767,3147,2021,2091,2680,13189,3181,5236,2162,3320,7102,1580,10013,1851,5234,3296,11367,539,36136,8621,1214,1141,2923,38709],"feeds":[],"class_list":["post-1148657","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-film-commissions","category-lists","category-location-lists","category-news","tag-albuquerque","tag-ashland","tag-atlanta","tag-austin","tag-baltimore","tag-best-cities-for-filmmakers","tag-best-cities-for-filmmaking","tag-best-cities-for-movies","tag-best-places","tag-best-places-to-live-and-work-as-a-moviemaker-2022","tag-boston","tag-calgary","tag-chicago","tag-cincinnati","tag-cleveland","tag-dallas","tag-feature","tag-fort-worth","tag-kansas-city","tag-memphis","tag-miami","tag-montreal","tag-new-orleans","tag-oklahoma-city","tag-philadelphia","tag-pittsburgh","tag-portland","tag-providence","tag-richmond","tag-san-antonio","tag-san-diego","tag-san-francisco","tag-santa-fe","tag-savannah","tag-st-petersburg","tag-toronto","tag-tulsa","tag-vancouver","tag-victoria","tag-washington-d-c","tag-wilmington","tag-winter-2022"],"primary_category":{"term_id":41835,"name":"Film Commissions","slug":"film-commissions","taxonomy":"category","url":"https:\/\/www.moviemaker.com\/category\/film-commissions\/"},"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.moviemaker.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=675,height=450,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/MM142_Best-Places-to-Live-and-Work-2022_675x450px_NO-TEXT.jpg","fimg_url_thumb":"https:\/\/www.moviemaker.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=675,height=450,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/MM142_Best-Places-to-Live-and-Work-2022_675x450px_NO-TEXT.jpg","featured_img_medium":"https:\/\/www.moviemaker.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=675,height=450,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/MM142_Best-Places-to-Live-and-Work-2022_675x450px_NO-TEXT.jpg","author_name":"Greg Gilman","author_avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3346319fc52105f62381da3c9d37ad30?s=96&d=mm&r=g","author_link":"https:\/\/www.moviemaker.com\/author\/greg-gilman\/","post_categories":["Film Commissions"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2022","url":"http:\/\/www.moviemaker.com\/best-places-to-live-and-work-as-a-moviemaker-in-2022\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.moviemaker.com\/best-places-to-live-and-work-as-a-moviemaker-in-2022\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.moviemaker.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=675,height=450,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/MM142_Best-Places-to-Live-and-Work-2022_675x450px_NO-TEXT.jpg","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.moviemaker.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=675,height=450,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/MM142_Best-Places-to-Live-and-Work-2022_675x450px_NO-TEXT.jpg"},"articleSection":"Film Commissions","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Greg Gilman"}],"creator":["Greg Gilman"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"MovieMaker Magazine","logo":"https:\/\/www.moviemaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/mm_site_logo-2.svg"},"keywords":["albuquerque","ashland","atlanta","austin","baltimore","best cities for filmmakers","best cities for filmmaking","best cities for movies","best places","best places to live and work as a moviemaker 2022","boston","calgary","chicago","cincinnati","cleveland","dallas","feature","fort worth","kansas city","memphis","miami","montreal","new orleans","oklahoma city","philadelphia","pittsburgh","portland","providence","richmond","san antonio","san diego","san francisco","santa fe","savannah","st. petersburg","toronto","tulsa","vancouver","victoria","washington d.c.","wilmington","winter 2022"],"dateCreated":"2022-01-25T19:52:28Z","datePublished":"2022-01-25T19:52:28Z","dateModified":"2024-08-22T22:16:44Z"},"rendered":"