{"id":1158659,"date":"2023-01-18T11:51:46","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T19:51:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.moviemaker.com\/?p=1158659"},"modified":"2024-08-22T15:16:14","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T22:16:14","slug":"best-places-to-live-and-work-as-a-moviemaker-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moviemaker.com\/best-places-to-live-and-work-as-a-moviemaker-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Places to Live and Work as a MovieMaker, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

If we made a list of<\/span> the Most Obvious Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker, New York and Los Angeles would lead it every year. They\u2019re the film capitals of the world, unmatched in influence, opportunity and legend. So years ago, we retired them to our Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker Hall of Fame, where they stand alone and unrivaled, except by each other.<\/p>\n

They also stand out in expense. The Worldwide Cost of Living Index<\/a> just released by the Economist<\/i> Intelligence Unit found that New York tied Singapore for the most expensive city in the world. Tel Aviv was next, and Los Angeles and Hong Kong were tied for fourth.<\/p>\n

We don\u2019t believe people should have to be rich or well-connected to make movies. And we know plenty of people who moved to L.A. or New York with filmmaking dreams and ended up working industry-barely-adjacent jobs just to pay the bills. We think the best place to live is one you can afford \u2014 a place where you can be happy, inspired, and financially free to pursue your art.<\/p>\n

That philosophy factored highly into the creation of this list. We based it on surveys with film officials, discussions with filmmakers, independent research into cost of living and quality of life, and, whenever possible, visits to the cities and towns on this list.<\/p>\n

We also took into account that some people want to live in a massive city with the biggest possible overall film-industry spend, while others want to live in a smaller community with high per-capita spend. That\u2019s why we offer one list of Big Cities, and another list of\u00a0 <\/span>Smaller Cities and Towns. But we\u2019ve made a change this year, capping the Smaller Cities and Towns list at places with a population of 200,000 or less. That means cities like New Orleans \u2014 No. 1 on our Smaller Cities and Towns list last year<\/a> \u2014 have been bumped up to the Big Cities category.<\/p>\n

For this and other reasons, we have a new No. 1 this year in both categories. After the astonishing feat of spending four consecutive years at the top of our big cities list, Albuquerque is handing the top position back to the big city that last led our list in 2018. Albuquerque hasn\u2019t so much slipped as spread the wealth across the rest of New Mexico. The state, which we visited for several days in the summer of 2022, has built a thriving, sustainable film scene that goes well beyond its biggest city. And of course Albuquerque remains one of our favorite cinematic cities.<\/p>\n

Finally, as you\u2019ve probably heard, you can do almost anything over Zoom now \u2014 so your options have been freed up considerably in recent years. We understand that cold weather will be a non-starter for some people, and hot summers a problem for others. Family and personal connections are incredibly important. So our top choices may not be your top choices, and that\u2019s fine. We hope this list helps your research and fires your imagination.<\/p>\n

All that said, let\u2019s travel.<\/p>\n

BIG CITIES<\/h2>\n\"1883,\n

25<\/b>.<\/b><\/span> <\/b>FORT WORTH, TEXAS <\/b>(TIE)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Texas is booming, as you\u2019re about to see from the five Lone Star State cities on this list \u2014 all of which would be higher in our rankings if Texas offered more generous tax incentives. Still, the state is working hard to attract film and TV projects, and the signs of growth are obvious all over the state. Fort Worth is the proud home of Taylor Sheridan\u2019s upcoming Paramount+ limited series about Bass Reeves, the once-enslaved man who became a famed federal marshall. Sheridan\u2019s Yellowstone<\/i> prequel 1883<\/i> also shoots in Fort Worth, and is based in nearby Weatherford, where Sheridan owns a ranch. Fort Worth offers clear skies, easy permitting, and a vibrant film culture that includes the Lone Star Film Festival. The 13th-biggest city in the country also has experienced crews and a cost of living almost exactly in line with the U.S. average. While there\u2019s no official local incentive program, the city\u2019s very accommodating film officials work hard to offer soft incentives like deals on hotels.<\/p>\n

25<\/b>.<\/b><\/span> <\/b>ORLANDO, FLORIDA <\/b>(TIE)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Much more than just the home of Disney World, Orlando is especially popular lately for commercial shoots. It offers reliably sunny skies, an average temperature of 83 degrees, and more than 4,000 miles of varied locations. The homes range from modern to rustic; the bodies of water from swamps to shimmering lakes to streams; the land from pastoral to jungle to cityscape. The cost of living is close to the national average, and while Florida ended its statewide film-tax incentive program in 2016, productions can apply for a sales and use tax exemption on certain production-related purchases. One of the best parts of the Orlando film scene is the presence of Full Sail University, which recently made our list of the best film schools in the U.S. and Canada. Full Sail students provide a steady flow of talent and creativity.<\/p>\n

24<\/b>.<\/b><\/span> <\/b>KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI<\/b><\/p>\n

Kansas City requires no film permits, and has spectacular locations, from the 18th & Vine Jazz District to suburbs to beautiful Art Deco buildings to gorgeous lakes, as well as miles and miles of caves and natural tunnels that are ideal for filming \u2014 or storage. KC does a remarkable job of attracting high-profile productions considering Missouri\u2019s lack of tax incentives for filmmakers. (As state representative LaDonna Appelbaum noted last year, as she introduced the latest unsuccessful bill to put a film tax credit in place, \u201cEven a show like Ozark<\/i> that takes place in Missouri\u2019s own Lake of the Ozarks is mostly filmed in Atlanta.\u201d) Steph Shannon, director of the KC Film Office and vice president of communications for the Missouri Motion Media Association, is working tirelessly to get lawmakers in Missouri and Kansas to realize how many millions their states could be earning from film and TV. But in the meantime, the charms of Kansas City have still lured projects like Amy Poehler\u2019s non-scripted <\/span>The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning<\/i> and indie film features like the Burghart Brothers\u2019 Head Count. <\/i>HBO\u2019s The Last of Us<\/i>, shot mostly in Calgary, has also shot in KC.<\/p>\n

23<\/b>.<\/b><\/span> <\/b>ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA<\/b><\/p>\n

This can-do production magnet makes up for Florida\u2019s lack of statewide incentives by offering its own. <\/span>Film St. Pete\/Clearwater\u2019s Cash Rebate Program pays 10-30% on qualified expenditures within Pinellas County\u2019s 24 municipalities, luring plenty of projects drawn to the year-round sun, immaculate beaches, and magnificent architecture \u2014 from the mind-bending Salvador Dali Museum to <\/span>Mediterranean Revival homes to the Neoclassical Princess Martha building, a hotel turned glamorous 55+ community. If you\u2019re looking for humdrum, dull locations, we\u2019re afraid St. Petersburg won\u2019t be of much use to you. St. Petersburg is especially popular for indies and Lifetime movies, like the recent, brilliantly titled Spring Break Nightmare<\/i>. It boasts an extremely experienced and deep crew base, as well as free permits you can easily apply for online. If you\u2019re thinking it all sounds expensive, no! The cost of living is almost exactly the U.S. average.<\/p>\n

22<\/b>.<\/b><\/span> <\/b>SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS<\/b><\/p>\n

San Antonio offers turnkey film permitting and free permits for more than 250 city-owned locations, including parks, libraries and the endlessly photogenic San Antonio River Walk. That very welcoming attitude has drawn a healthy mix of indie films, documentaries, and unscripted shows, and the crew base is known for experience, flexibility and budget consciousness. The cost of living is surprisingly low, and San Antonio offers very competitive tax breaks: In addition to the Texas incentive of up to 22.5%<\/a>, the San Antonio Film Incentive Program provides qualified productions with up to a 7.5% rebate, for a total incentive of up to 30%. The growing film culture is reflected in the <\/span>University of Texas at San Antonio now offering a brand-new Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies: Film and Media Studies. And you can choose from a dozen equipment rental houses, half a dozen post houses, and more than 15 production facilities. All in a region rich in history that exudes friendliness and authenticity.<\/p>\n

21<\/b>.<\/b><\/span> <\/b>HOUSTON, TEXAS<\/b><\/p>\n

It\u2019s surprising that the country\u2019s fourth-largest city isn\u2019t a bigger film hub, but it has its hands full being one of America\u2019s most diverse, business-friendly, and culturally blessed cities, all while being home to NASA. Even without big tax incentives, it remains irresistible to many filmmakers, and Richard Linklater\u2019s semi-autobiographical 2022 animated epic Apollo 10 \u00bd<\/i> is a great indicator of why \u2014 its history is fascinating, and its competitive drive intoxicating. Recent shoots include VH1\u2019s Hip Hop Family Christmas Part 2 <\/i>and HBO\u2019s Max\u2019s House of Ho<\/i>. The cost of living is below the U.S. average, which is a special find in an American metropolis of its vastness and opportunity.<\/p>\n

20<\/b>.<\/b><\/span> <\/b>DALLAS, TEXAS<\/b><\/p>\n

Why choose Dallas? The city offers an online document that addresses just that question, and points to factors including its equal access to both coasts, great weather (except for some cold nights) and striking visuals, including modern and futuristic buildings that form a strikingly camera-worthy nighttime skyline. It\u2019s one of the most diverse cities in the country, with a deep, experienced crew base, easily obtainable permits, and hotel deals to be had \u2014 if you\u2019re shooting in Dallas and staying in the city\u2019s hotels for at least 15 nights, you could qualify for up to 10% back on rooms. It\u2019s a great city to work on other people\u2019s projects so you can save enough money to create your own, and is almost exactly in line with the U.S. average cost of living. Just drive or walk its streets and it\u2019s impossible not to notice the new construction and businesses popping up all over town, and it\u2019s full of rising filmmakers who pitch in to do each other favors and bring one another\u2019s projects to life. The Dallas International Film Festival does an admirable job of showcasing must-see films like last year\u2019s documentary Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n

Our list of the Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker continues here…<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\"Reservation\n

19<\/b>.<\/b><\/span> <\/b>TULSA, OKLAHOMA<\/b><\/p>\n

Tulsa\u2019s new Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021 offers a cash rebate base of 20%, with additional uplifts of up to 38% on qualifying expenditures, and has already been a big boon to the state. How big? The Sylvester Stallone Paramount+ series Tulsa King<\/i> was originally set in Kansas City, before Sooner State incentives lured the production from Missouri. Other thriving productions include Reservation Dogs<\/i>, from Taika Waititi and Sterlin Harjo. Local soundstages include a <\/span>27,000-square-foot facility within the Cherokee Nation, which has 9,000 square feet of dedicated XR space, as well as edit suites, a professional grade audio booth and more. Industry interest in Tulsa is finally catching up with the region\u2019s love of film. Film lovers will want to be sure to visit the Admiral Twin Drive-In for a classic drive-in experience. And fans of Tulsa King<\/i> will no doubt want to check out the Center of the Universe<\/a>, an acoustic anomaly in downtown Tulsa where you can shout your secrets and they\u2019ll echo back to you \u2014 but sound garbled to anyone nearby. Just one of the magical qualities in this fast-growing film hub.<\/p>\n

18<\/b>.<\/b><\/span> <\/b>CLEVELAND, OHIO<\/b><\/p>\n

The Russo brothers\u2019 hometown is a cinematic powerhouse with Midwestern charm, a very reasonable cost of living, and a long record of proven success and stability. It can double as almost any other part of the country, offers a deep bench of production facilities and equipment-rental houses, and is home to the Cleveland International Film Festival, one of the best proving grounds for crowd-pleasers. Recent projects include the upcoming LeBron James film Shooting Stars<\/i>, about his early life, and the Tim Blake Nelson drama Asleep in My Palm<\/i>. Northeastern Ohio\u2019s history with the industry means experienced crews who earn the same rates as those in more expensive regions.<\/span><\/p>\n\"Young\n

\u00a017<\/b>.<\/b><\/span> <\/b>MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE<\/b><\/p>\n

Hollywood loves to mine Memphis for its abundant musical legacy \u2013 take Baz Luhrman\u2019s Elvis<\/i>, for example, which was shot in Australia \u2014 but Bluff City is well-positioned to become a thrumming film hub, as well. Tennessee has offered a 25% cash refund on qualified expenditures for a decade, but now also offers an innovative new payroll tax credit that can offer up to a 40% payroll tax credit, or even more in some cases. Comcast, owner of NBCUniversal, is among the current beneficiaries thanks to the Dwayne Johnson show Young Rock<\/i>. And Memphis\u2019 Craig Brewer, director of Coming 2 America<\/i> and Dolemite Is My Name<\/i>, has been extolling Memphis\u2019 cinematic virtues since his Hustle & Flow<\/i> days. Indie Memphis, one of the country\u2019s best film festivals, supports local talent by waiving fees for local filmmakers. If you can\u2019t tell, we\u2019re very big believers in Memphis \u2014 one of the projects backed by our own MovieMaker Production Services<\/a> is Jacir<\/i><\/a>, by writer-director Waheed AlQawasmi, about a Syrian refugee living in Memphis, which stars Malek Rahbani and Sopranos<\/i> star Lorraine Bracco. Visit and you\u2019ll find exquisite food, a legendarily great music scene on Beale Street, and a very low cost of living.<\/span><\/p>\n\"Director\n

16<\/b>.<\/b><\/span> <\/b>MISSOULA, MONTANA<\/b><\/p>\n

One word: Yellowstone<\/i>. A 2022 study by the University of Montana\u2019s Bureau of Business and Economic Research<\/a> found that the show\u2019s fourth season alone contributed $85 million to Montana businesses and non-business organizations, plus $25 million in income for Montana households. That doesn\u2019t even include revenue from tourists who want to visit Ruby\u2019s Cafe<\/a> in downtown Missoula. Yellowstone<\/i> hasn\u2019t just boosted Missoula, the nearest city to the real-life site of the fictional Dutton Ranch. It has also opened the state\u2019s eyes to the many benefits of embracing smaller productions. When Amanda Kramer decided to shoot her gender-bending indie Please Baby Please<\/i> in Butte, about two hours from Missoula, she found that the locals were completely accommodating. \u201c<\/span>Once they started shooting Yellowstone,<\/i> a lot of people were bringing in productions, and the Montana Film Office welcomes you warmly. Everyone is so amenable,\u201d she wrote in the fall 2022 issue of MovieMaker<\/i><\/a>. Montana\u2019s many film incentives include 25% compensation for Montana resident crew, 15% compensation for non-Montana crew, 20% of above-the-line compensation for actors, 25% of post production wages, and an additional 5% for using the Filmed in Montana screen credit logo. The state also boasts about 700 available crew members. In addition to rugged natural beauty and a wide variety of locations that can capture many decades, Missoula has a reasonable cost of living, and is home to the outstanding Big Sky Documentary Film Festival<\/a>. And have you tried the pie at Ruby\u2019s?<\/span><\/p>\n

Our list of the Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker continues here…<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\"Nine\n

15<\/b>.<\/b><\/span> <\/b>SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH<\/b><\/p>\n

Surrounded by gorgeous mountains, this sprawling, affordable, and meticulously maintained city offers a perfect home base for exploring one of our most beautiful states. You\u2019re in easy reach of locations that can double as Washington, D.C. or the Old West, all covered by the state\u2019s 25% tax credit. If you\u2019re up for a beautiful drive, check out the otherworldly Bonneville Salt Flats. And there\u2019s no shortage of lovely suburbs and surrounding small towns. The longtime home of the High School Musical <\/i>franchise has more recently welcomed films like Patricia Arquette\u2019s Gonzo Girl<\/i>, Kevin Costner\u2019s Horizon: An American Saga<\/i> and Jonathan Nolan\u2019s Fallout<\/i>. Utah draws plenty of filmmaker attention thanks to Sundance and Slamdance, based mainly in Park City. But they\u2019d be wise to also attend the Sundance screenings down the mountain in Salt Lake City, or to come back in the fall for FilmQuest<\/a>, in nearby Provo, to experience more of Utah outside the hustle of the festivals. The region has a tight-knit, supportive film community, with skilled, experienced professionals ready to work on DGA, SAG or non-union productions both behind and in front of the camera. For post, filmmakers often turn to Cosmic Pictures, which offers services from digital lab and editorial support to feature and episodic finishing and delivery, including color grading, VFX, and mastering.<\/p>\n

14.<\/b> <\/b>BALTIMORE, MARYLAND<\/b><\/p>\n

Apple\u2019s Lady in the Lake<\/i> and the Paramount+ show Lioness <\/i>are among the latest productions shot in Charm City, which lures film and TV projects aplenty with its proud film and TV track record, low cost of living, and refundable tax credits of 25% for films and 27% for series. The hometown of John Waters, Barry Levinson and David Simon offers a wide range of locations: the seductive seaport of Fells Point, the Gilded Age elegance of Mount Vernon, Antebellum historical sites, vibrant Federal row houses, and the modern-glass architecture of the Inner Harbor East. It has a creative, collaborative spirit and very close proximity to Washington, D.C., as well as very experienced crews and low permit fees. The crackerjack, detail-oriented Baltimore Film Office<\/a> will work fast to get your needs met quickly. Local post facilities include audio specialists Clean Cuts<\/a>.<\/p>\n

13<\/b>.<\/b><\/span> <\/b>BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS<\/b><\/p>\n

Boston looks gorgeous on screen, as you can attest if you saw the big bridge fight scene in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever<\/i>. (Yes, we know MIT is in Cambridge, across the bridge from Boston.) The Marvel super sequel was just one of many recent projects to come to the Bay State, which offers a 25% production credit, 25% payroll credit and sales tax-exemption. Other recent major productions include the Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody<\/i> and Luca Guadagnini\u2019s Challengers<\/i>. Boston also has a vibrant festival scene, and the Nantucket Film Festival<\/a>, Provincetown International Film Festival<\/a> and Salem Film Festival<\/a> are all a short distance away. Its thriving film programs include Boston University and Emerson College, which counts the Everything Everywhere All at Once<\/i> directing duo of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert among its graduates. (We had the pleasure of watching the film at the AMC theater near Boston Common,<\/span> packed with Emerson students cheering on The Daniels.) Also, we suspect that Ben Affleck and Matt Damon launching a new production company<\/a> won\u2019t be bad for the Boston film scene. Called Artists Equity, it has $100 million in initial investment, and given their track record we expect at least some of its projects will be set around their hometown.<\/p>\n

12.<\/b> <\/b>AUSTIN, TEXAS<\/b><\/p>\n

We attended the Austin Film Festival last year and couldn\u2019t find a single thing wrong with the place, from the outstanding screening venues to the perfect tacos and barbeque to the trail along Lady Bird Lake. Sure, it\u2019s hot in the summer, and yes, there\u2019s an influx of tech and Hollywood money that keeps driving up prices \u2014 but Austin is still doing an admirable job of staying weird. And it\u2019s still a lot cheaper than New York City or Los Angeles, with a film culture that matches theirs in enthusiasm. Perhaps the best of all cities for a festival, it offers not just SXSW, the Austin Film Festival and Fantastic Fest, but more than 30 others. Also welcoming: the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program, administered by the Texas Film Commission, a cash grant based on in-state spending by feature film, television and commercial projects that offers up to 22.5% back to qualifying productions. And no city on this list submitted such an impressive list of filmmaker residents, from Richard Linklater to Robert Rodriguez to Terrence Malick. Its film culture also includes the Austin Film Society, founded by Linklater in 1985, and the originaal Alamo Drafthouse Cinema that started it all.<\/p>\n

11<\/b>.<\/b><\/span> <\/b>CINCINNATI, OHIO<\/b><\/p>\n

Cincinnati is making serious moves, hosting such productions as Shirley<\/i>, the Regina King biopic of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, Jeff Nichols\u2019 The Bikeriders<\/i>, starring Tom Hardy, Austin Butler, Michael Shannon and Jodie Comer, and The Wise Guys<\/i>, directed by Barry Levinson and starring Robert De Niro as two different gangsters. Cincinnati pulled in an estimated $200 million in industry spending last year, thanks in no small part to Ohio\u2019s 30% refundable tax credit on eligible expenses. Film Cincinnati<\/a> notes that as it attracts bigger and bigger productions, more and more film professionals are moving to town to get hired as locals. What they find is a diverse, friendly city that\u2019s as American as it gets, with a lower-than-average cost of living. <\/span>The popping film scene includes the wonderfully inclusive Over the Rhine Film Festival \u2014 which we recently rated one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World<\/a> \u2014 as well as the film program at the University of Cincinnati. A little bit Midwestern, a little bit Southern, Cincinnati is close enough to Northern Kentucky to share an airport. So filmmakers can choose from a diverse range of locations across two states, and more local flavor than the city\u2019s celebrated chili. (To put out the fire we recommend Graeter\u2019s ice cream, just maybe the best we\u2019ve ever had.)<\/p>\n

Our list of the Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker continues here…<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\"The\n

10<\/b>.<\/b><\/span> <\/b>PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA<\/b><\/p>\n

We used to list Pittsburgh as one of our best small towns, but it can hold its own against much bigger cities. Shockingly affordable, especially given its beautiful housing stock, it boasts architecture that begs to be filmed, rolling hills, countless bridges crossing its three rivers, and world-class museums, music and food. People who visit from elsewhere often wonder why no one\u2019s ever told them how cool Pittsburgh is, so folks: We\u2019re telling you now. Plenty of movie people get it, though. Last year Pittsburgh welcomed back Dark Knight Rises<\/i> star Christian Bale for The<\/i> Pale Blue Eye<\/i><\/a>, one of many productions wisely seizing on the atmosphere and tax incentives that make the Steel City so inviting. Others include the new Tom Hanks drama The Man Called Otto<\/i> and Season 2 of Mayor of Kingstown<\/i>. The tax incentives are great: 25% percent for eligible projects, with an extra 5% if you use Pennsylvania-qualified production studios or post-production facilities. Of the $100 million available through the program, $5 million is carved out specifically for independent films.<\/span><\/p>\n

9.<\/b> <\/b>PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA<\/b><\/p>\n

Philadelphia and its surrounding communities offer everything from stately manors to metropolitan grandeur to neighborhood grit to rural majesty to woodsy mystery \u2014 all within about a half-hour of driving. Like Pittsburgh, it doesn\u2019t need to boast, because its rich cinematic history does the talking. Philadelphia offers world-class art, boundless creativity, and opportunities galore to meet fellow artists without losing a close-knit, neighborly feel. You can soak up life without going broke, and enjoy nearby hiking and camping without abandoning your big-city dreams. In short, it\u2019s a very sensible and inspiring place to eke out an affordable life as a filmmaker. There are many reasons M. Night Shyamalyn, whose new film Knock at the Cabin<\/i> will almost be in theaters by the time you read this, so often stays close to home. It has the same tax incentives as Pittsburgh, and its easy proximity to New York City, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. expand your work and cultural opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n\"The\n

8.<\/b> <\/b>CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA<\/b><\/p>\n

Ranked by the Economist Intelligence Unit last year as the most livable city in North America \u2014 and the third most livable city in the world \u2014 Calgary is thriving in every sense. It\u2019s safe, culturally rich but not too expensive, and, best of all, is actively courting film and TV industry professionals to make it their new home<\/a>. You\u2019re going to see a lot of it on TV in 2023, just like you did in 2022. It\u2019s the home of the new HBO big-swing series The Last of Us<\/i>, as well as the new season of FX\u2019s Fargo<\/i>. Last year it hosted the Hulu hit Prey<\/i>, a smart update of the Predator<\/i> franchise, as well as FX\u2019s Under the Banner of Heaven<\/i>. It hosted 11 projects running simultaneously with a full crew base. Among the many draws are a 22-30% tax credit and Calgary\u2019s gorgeously diverse locations \u2014 it\u2019s a gorgeous modern city close to prairie, badlands, and the Rockies. The CL Western Town and Backlot is just 40 minutes from downtown. The permit process is easy, equipment rental and post houses abound, and it is the home of beloved film festivals including the Calgary International Film Festival and Calgary Underground Film Festival. Once it was known mostly as a cattle town, celebrated for its very fun summer stampede. But today it\u2019s also gaining a reputation as one of the world\u2019s great film hubs \u2014 and a place that still knows how to cowboy up. <\/span><\/p>\n

7.<\/b> <\/b>CHICAGO, ILLINOIS<\/b><\/p>\n

The excellent Hulu series The Bear <\/i>put Chicago on spectacular display this past year, but it\u2019s one of many projects that make the Windy City a sensible yet thrilling place to stake your filmmaking career. With a surprisingly low cost of living given all it has to offer, Chicago is a perfect place for people who are tough, pragmatic, and funny enough to keep up in the city\u2019s thriving artistic scene. With a big 30% tax credit and scores of great actors \u2014 including in its world-famous improv scene \u2014 Chicago is a major player that remains affordable for normal people. Case in point: All Jacked Up and Full of Worms<\/i><\/a>, one of 2022\u2019s boldest horror breakouts, which was almost entirely the work of young Chicago friends, many of whom met through Northwestern University. The film\u2019s magnificent music was developed in large part by Cue Shop<\/a>, a music collaborative of people playing instruments together in a room through the Chicago winter, just like your parents\u2019 parents used to do it. More mainstream standout productions include Apple\u2019s Shining Girls <\/i>and Dick Wolf\u2019s One Chicago <\/i>franchise.<\/p>\n

6.<\/b> <\/b>MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA<\/b><\/p>\n

Go to the Fantasia Film Festival<\/a> \u2014 held at glorious Concordia University in the heart of downtown Montreal \u2014 and just try not to fall in love with the festival, the school, and the city itself. Montreal prizes individuality and fun, as you\u2019ll come to understand as your fellow Fantasia-goers start meowing at the screen. (We never figured out why they do this; we were too busy meowing.) The sense of mischief doesn\u2019t detract from the serious business in this French-Canadian metropolis that impeccably melds Old World charm with new-school futurism: Montreal pulled in a staggering $2.5 billion in business last year, luring highly desirable projects like the sixth film in the Scream<\/i> franchise. The incentives don\u2019t hurt: in addition to a 20% tax credit, other offerings include a very forward-thinking 16% tax rate for VFX\/green-screen shots and animation. It\u2019s very difficult to visit Montreal without plotting out how you might someday get to live here.<\/p>\n

Here are the top 5 Big Cities on our list of the Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker…<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\"Natasha\n

5.<\/b> <\/b>ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO<\/b><\/p>\n

The end of Better Call Saul<\/i> might be the last we see of the Breaking Bad<\/i> universe, but Albuquerque used its nearly 15-year relationship with the franchise as a foothold to establish New Mexico as one of the the most vital states for film, with an empire that expands to Santa Fe (less than an hour away from Albuquerque) and Las Cruces (about three hours south). Attracting major investment in recent years from companies like Netflix and NBCUniversal, Albuquerque has clocked sustained, steady growth for years to become a very viable alternative to Los Angeles (two hours away by plane) at a fraction of the expense: Albuquerque offers a tax credit<\/a> of up to 35% and the cost of living is lower than the national average. You can raise a family here with less stress and a healthy work-life balance, and traffic is so mild that one can easily commute between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. But the best part of the region is that it still has room to grow, in terms of soundstages, post-production houses, and other job creators. One of its major assets is film commissioner Cyndy McCrossen, an expert in location and production services who has worked for Breaking Bad<\/i>, Better Call Saul<\/i> and Outer Range<\/i>, among other projects, and can help you find the best sights in a region packed with stunning visuals. Albuquerque owns nearly 30,000 acres of open-space land including rocky foothills and pine forests, and filmmakers are also drawn to the area\u2019s parks, pools, botanical garden and railyards \u2014 as well as the nearby Sandia, Manzano and Jemez mountains. Permits are easy and fast, and fees are flexible.<\/span><\/p>\n

4.<\/b> <\/b>TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA<\/b><\/p>\n

This booming film capital has hosted productions from almost every major studio and streamer in 2022, including Amazon\u2019s The Boys<\/i>, Hulu\u2019s The Handmaid\u2019s Tale<\/i>, and Netflix\u2019s Ginny and Georgia<\/i>. Its eminence in the film world is on global display with the Toronto International Film Festival each fall, which celebrates not just the year\u2019s shiniest awards-season contenders but also bold indie voices. (TIFF Midnight Madness programmer Peter Kuplowsky deserves a special shoutout for his championing of the daring and avant garde.) It\u2019s filled with outstanding film programs, including Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto Film School, and York University, and great filmmakers from Sarah Polley to David Cronenberg call it home. How film-friendly is it? Its film office<\/a> vows to be the fastest in North America when it comes to issuing permits, handling them in as little as 48 hours. And the tax incentives are outstanding, including the Ontario Production Services Tax Credit of 21.5% on all qualifying production expenditures incurred in the province, and the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit of 35% of the eligible Ontario labor expenditures \u2014 with an enhanced credit rate of 40% on the first $240,000 of qualifying labor expenditures for first-time producers.<\/p>\n

3.<\/b> <\/b>NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA<\/b><\/p>\n

Laissez les bons temps rouler: If you shoot in New Orleans, your cast and crew will love you. One of the world\u2019s most storied cities, it offers eclecticism, adventure and spirit no American city can match \u2013 but also appeals to pragmatists with a 25% base credit for in-state expenditures, and additional 15% for local labor. There is also a special tax credit for projects written by Louisiana writers. A New Orleans setting can make even a dull story watchable, and New Orleans has enough working crew \u2014 more than 1,800 union professionals \u2013 to handle up to 18 major productions. The New Orleans Film Festival anchors its commitment to rising filmmakers, and shooting in New Orleans (or anywhere in Louisiana) entitles you to take part in the Louisiana Film Prize, a one-of-a-kind competition in which filmmakers from across the state compete to win up to $50,000 for the best short film. That money will go far here, given New Orleans\u2019 surprisingly reasonable cost of living. We used to list New Orleans among smaller cities and towns \u2013 it was No. 1 last year<\/a> \u2014 but given the size of its big, beautiful, nearly 400,000-strong population, we decided to bump it up to compete among the big cities, where it more than holds its own. AMC\u2019s revived Interview With a Vampire<\/i> is a perfect display of its undying beauty.<\/p>\n

2.<\/b> <\/b>VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA<\/b><\/p>\n

Vancouver\u2019s charms are very familiar to the countless American film and TV productions that shoot almost everything there, and the appeal is only growing. Locations range from sleek modern streets and plazas to the cobblestones of Gastown to the sandy beaches of Kitsilano to the lush rain forest of Stanley Park \u2014 all within the city of Vancouver. The very film-friendly city offers steep discounts on permit fees, and the tax credits have changed lives: British Columbia offers a 35% credit for Canadian-owned businesses<\/a>, as well as a 16% incentive available for post-production, and a screenwriting incentive of 35%. The benefits are almost, but not quite, as good for non-Canadians. Vancouver is a flourishing, creative, and inspiring city year-round, with very mild winters by Canadian standards.<\/p>\n\"Echo\n

1.<\/b> <\/b>ATLANTA, GEORGIA<\/b><\/p>\n

The center of the Marvel Cinematic Universe \u2014 and the anchor of Georgia\u2019s more than $4 billion film industry last year \u2014 comes closest to rivaling New York or Los Angeles for film and TV opportunities. Just spend a few days in Atlanta and you\u2019ll feel a powerful sense of things happening everywhere, and creative people thriving. It\u2019s a little more expensive than the average U.S. city, but it\u2019s a bargain considering its size and abundance of anything you could want: jobs, creative opportunities, great food, and culture. The 20% tax credit is boosted another 10%<\/a> for productions that include the now-very-familiar Peach logo. Recent projects that shot in Atlanta and the surrounding region include Marvel\u2019s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3<\/i>, DC\u2019s Black Adam<\/i>, and the subject of our latest cover story, Warner Bros.\u2019s Creed III<\/i>. The permitting process is easy and efficient, and soundstages, equipment rental houses and post facilities abound. Atlanta is also home to the famed Atlanta Film Festival, Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, BronzeLens Film <\/span>Festival, <\/b><\/span>Morehouse Human and Civil Rights Film Festival, and SCAD TVfest, among other festivals. SCAD is one of the anchors<\/a> of its film culture: the Atlanta campus of the Savannah College of Art and Design is a colorful and joyous place where students learn everything from gloriously experimental animation to using a state-of-the-art Volume screen to nailing an elevator pitch. The city\u2019s next generation of filmmakers is coming in hot. Atlanta has energy, passion and a constant sense of progress.<\/p>\n

Our list of the Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker continues here with Smaller Cities and Towns…<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS<\/strong><\/h2>\n

10<\/b>.<\/b><\/span> <\/b>THE HUDSON VALLEY, NEW YORK TOWNS OF POUGHKEEPSIE, KINGSTON AND NEWBURGH
\n<\/b>(THREE-WAY TIE)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

We rank cities, not regions \u2014but there\u2019s no denying the rise of the Hudson Valley, a collection of small cities and towns making a huge impact on the industry. Poughkeepskie has welcomed productions including NBCUniversal\u2019s The Endgame<\/i>, Apple\u2019s Invasion<\/i> and Severance<\/i>, Showtime\u2019s The First Lady<\/i> and HBO Max\u2019s The Sex Lives of College Girls<\/i>. Severance<\/i> has also shot in nearby Kingston, and so have Netflix\u2019s Manifest<\/i>, HBO\u2019s Full Circle<\/i> and The Undoing<\/i>, as well as many more productions. Newburgh, meanwhile, has welcomed Rian Johnson\u2019s Peacock show Poker Face<\/i>, HBO\u2019s The White House Plumbers<\/i>, and Darren Aronofsky\u2019s The Whale<\/i>. The region\u2019s stately, reserved beauty and century-long embrace of arts and culture have made it highly desirable, especially for thoughtful prestige productions. Many New York City residents found the area to be a refuge as they fled tight quarters during lockdowns, which may explain why so much creativity has spilled out of the valley. And it benefits from New York\u2019s 25% tax credit<\/a> on below the line costs, and an additional 10% on below-the-line labor. Massive Clouds<\/a>, in Kingston, is among the superb local boutique post houses.<\/p>\n

9.<\/b> <\/b>ASHLAND, OREGON<\/b><\/p>\n

The celebrated Oregon Shakespeare Festival<\/a> has anchored a love of storytelling in the Ashland-Medford region since 1935, and has recently become a significant producer of film and media. The OSF-produced short film \u201cYou Go, Girl\u201d premiered at Sundance in 2022, and the company has produced four multi-camera theater-on-film streaming presentations recently as it moved away from only live presentations. (All the world\u2019s a stage, after all.) Southern Oregon\u2019s PBS station SOPBS has also welcomed a new CEO, Phil Meyer,<\/span> with a fresh emphasis on promoting local productions. Recent indies shot in the area include the feature Bad Fish<\/i>, which Medford-based director Ray Nomoto Robinson shot with local crews. The Oregon Production Investment Fund offers qualifying film or TV productions that spend more than $1 million in the state a 25% cash rebate on goods and services, and a 26.5% cash rebate for payroll. Additional incentives are available for smaller-budget films.\u00a0And if you like small towns, Ashland is the smallest on this list, with about 20,000 people. We probably don\u2019t need to tell you that the hikes in Southern Oregon are spectacular.<\/p>\n\"Kamloops,\n

8.<\/b> <\/b>KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA<\/b><\/p>\n

Kamloops is the hub of the quietly astonishing <\/span>Thompson-Nicola region about 200 miles inland from Vancouver, which offers locations from badlands to desert to grasslands to snowy mountains to waterfalls to forests and ski resorts. But the biggest draw may be the 53.5% tax credit. It\u2019s no surprise the region has attracted projects like Jurassic World Dominion<\/i>. Recent Canadian productions include Bones of Crows<\/i>, <\/span>about a Cree woman who survives the Indian residential school system to become a code talker for the Canadian Air Force in World War II. Permitting is fairly easy, and the crew base is understandably growing fast. <\/span>Terri Hadwin, the new <\/span>Thompson-Nicola Film<\/a> commissioner, also points out another benefit of the area\u2019s swift ascent as a movie hub: \u201cNo film fatigue. People are excited to work with the film industry.\u201d<\/p>\n\"Las\n

7.<\/b> <\/b>LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO<\/b><\/p>\n

Joining our list for the first time, New Mexico\u2019s second-largest city adds to its cache as an essential center of film: It offers a low cost of living, up to 35% in tax credits<\/a>, and captivating locations aplenty. It\u2019s a hub for productions taking advantage of the hypnotic White Sands National Monument, and can double easily for Texas and Mexico \u2014 not a huge stretch, since El Paso and the border are both 40 miles away. But it can also stand in easily for Los Angeles and a wide range of other locations thanks to abundant palm trees, stunning mansions and adobe-style homes. Filmmakers also appreciate the ready availability of the vacant courthouse and prison. Recent films shot locally include The Locksmith<\/i> with Ryan Phillippe, Kate Bosworth and Ving Rhames, and Bad Hombres <\/i>with Thomas Jane, Luke Hemsworth, Nick Cassavetes and Tyrese Gibson. It promises easy and fast film permitting.<\/p>\n

6.<\/b> <\/b>KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE<\/b><\/p>\n

Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville is alluring and versatile enough to attract plenty of shows with the names of other cities in their titles. That\u2019s a testament to its easy-going versatility and very experienced crew base. If you invest $200,000 or more in qualified spending per episode or project, you\u2019re eligible for a cash rebate in the form of a 25% grant. <\/span>There\u2019s also a qualified production credit to offset up to 50% of franchise and excise tax liability. But enough tax stuff \u2014 can we talk about the beauty of eastern Tennessee? <\/span>Among the most irresistible locations are Meads Quarry and Augusta Quarry, two exceedingly photogenic swimming holes and recreational areas. The Ijams Nature Center also offers a wide range of looks, from wetlands to rock formations to trails, and you can even watch movies under the stars there in the summer. Recent local productions include the survival drama Roof, <\/i>as well as Dolly Parton\u2019s Mountain Magic Christmas<\/i>. Speaking of our queen: When it\u2019s time to unwind, Knoxville is less than an hour from Dollywood.<\/p>\n

5.<\/b> <\/b>PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA<\/b><\/p>\n

Angelenos loved Palm Springs already, prior to the pandemic, for its untamed desert, unbeatable pool scene, and history as a playground for everyone from Frank Sinatra to Elvis Presley. But it became an industry mecca when everyone in isolation became increasingly desperate for open space and remembered the desert oasis just over a hundred miles away. Even the endless gossip around Don\u2019t Worry Darling <\/i>couldn\u2019t distract from its breathtakingly beautiful shots of Palm Springs, captured in all its well-preserved Space Age wonder. (It looked pretty great in A Star is Born<\/i>, too.) Film fanatics who flock each year to the Palm Springs International Film Festival may want to stay year-round, especially with Palm Springs Studios<\/a> opening soon and expected to greatly expand film and TV production in the Coachella Valley far beyond the roughly $32 million the industry pulled in last year. The tax credits are potentially better than they are in Los Angeles \u2014 in addition to California\u2019s 20 or 25% credit (the amount depends on the type of production), eligible projects shot outside the 30-Mile Studio Zone can earn up to 10% in additional credits.<\/p>\n

Click here for the final Smaller Cities and Towns on our list…<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\"Fort\n

4.<\/b> <\/b>FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA<\/b><\/p>\n

Offering experienced crews, easy permitting, miles and miles of beaches and a wide range of stunning no-fee locations, the Fort Lauderdale region does brisk business, pulling in roughly $140 million last year thanks to productions ranging from HBO\u2019s Rap Sh!t<\/i> to a slew of basic-cable reality shows. While Florida lacks a statewide film tax incentive, Fort Lauderdale wants your business, and is working hard to get it. Its $10 million special projects program targets TV shows or higher-profile films that will bring long-term job creation to the region, and the Broward County film and TV incentive program offers up to a 15% rebate on expenditures up to $175,000, within certain conditions. Among the impressive local businesses are Robot Studios in Hallandale Beach, which boasts a 54,000-square-foot facility including an LED screen with Unreal Engine, a massive green-screen cyclorama, and an array of robot cameras.<\/span><\/p>\n\"Savannah,\n

3.<\/b> <\/b>SAVANNAH, GEORGIA<\/b><\/p>\n

A town of endless charm, with a surprisingly low cost of living, Savannah is one of the country\u2019s most-loved tourist destinations. But why leave? Its locations \u2014 from picturesque marshes and beaches to the pristine historic district, call out to be filmed, and Savannah\u2019s film history goes back more than a century. The city\u2019s diversity, in every sense, allows it to stand in for just about anywhere in America. (Recent films shot here included Halloween Ends<\/i>.) Atlanta is the biggest economic driver of Georgia\u2019s film economy, but Savannah offers the same tax credit (up to 30%), a more reflective pace, and even more architectural majesty per square foot. A sense of romance hangs in the air like Spanish moss from the trees. The main SCAD campus does a lovely job of showing off the city each year with the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, which draws a steady stream of award-season films and A-list talent who share their experience and wisdom with SCAD students and passionate local film fans. Employment opportunities are plentiful enough that many graduates opt to stay in this city of less than 150,000 people instead of venturing off to Atlanta, New York or Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

2.<\/b> <\/b>WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA<\/b><\/p>\n

A quiet powerhouse of film that doesn\u2019t rest on its considerable laurels, Wilmington offers a low cost of living for a high quality of life. Known for charming homes and gorgeous beaches, Wilmington looks so idyllic that filmmakers can\u2019t help but cast it against type in scary stories \u2014 it\u2019s the site of David Lynch\u2019s Blue Velvet<\/i>, the fifth Scream<\/i>, The Black Phone <\/i>and Halloween Kills<\/i>. Rather than jump scares, the real Wilmington offers security and dependability: there\u2019s steady work from TV shows that hire mostly local crews, and some crew members have worked here for decades. (Some are even two or three generations deep in the industry.) The city has over 30 Directors Guild of America members. It earned roughly $210 million in film and TV spending last year \u2014 highly impressive for a city of about 120,000 people \u2014 thanks in part to a 25% North Carolina rebate on qualifying expenses and purchases. The anti-competition Cucalorus Film Festival epitomizes the region\u2019s affable blend of cool confidence and professional expertise.<\/span><\/p>\n\"Santa\n

1.<\/b> <\/b>SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO<\/b><\/p>\n

In our travels across the United States, we\u2019ve never found a place with so many film opportunities per capita. Santa Fe boasts a close-knit film community, surrounded by astonishing natural beauty and artistic inspiration everywhere you look. It offers diverse locales, endless views, more than 300 days a year of sunlight, and bountiful sound stages \u2014 including the stunning Santa Fe Studios, with two 20,000 square-foot soundstages, and, just outside of town, the Camel Rock Studios, a former casino owned by the Native American Tesuque Pueblo and the home of AMC\u2019s Dark Winds<\/i>. Tireless film commissioner Jennifer LaBar-Tapia seems to know every industry person in town on a first-name basis \u2014 she\u2019s part sheriff, part cheer captain, and all rock star, able to roll with big requests and surprises at a moment\u2019s notice. Yes, Santa Fe is more expensive than most American cities \u2014 its elite residents include George R.R. Martin \u2014 but it is still significantly more affordable than Los Angeles, which is two hours away by plane or driveable in a day. With a population of about 88,000, it has none of the steel skyscrapers or 24\/7 distractions of a big city, but you won\u2019t miss them. It\u2019s a place to move when you\u2019ve made the decision to focus on self-improvement and creativity instead of the rat race. There are far fewer industry people to network with than you\u2019ll find in larger cities, but your chances of meeting and working with them are much higher.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you for reading our 2023 list of the Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker, and congratulations to all the cities and towns!<\/p>\n

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