The City as Studio; The World as Back Lot: The Impact of Vertical Disintegration on the Location of the Motion Picture Industry

TLDR

Motion picture production is now performed by small firms contracted to independent producers rather than large integrated studios, a trend observable across many industries. The paper traces the emergence of vertical disintegration and analyzes its impact on the geographic location of the motion picture industry. Vertical disintegration has caused a reagglomeration of film employment and establishments in Los Angeles, and this pattern may significantly influence broader urbanization trends.

Abstract

Motion picture production is currently carried out by small firms under contract to an independent producer rather than in large integrated firms, the major studios. In this paper the emergence of this vertically disintegrated industry is traced and its impact on the location of the motion picture industry is analyzed. Vertical disintegration has led to a reagglomeration of motion picture employment and establishments in Los Angeles, despite the dispersal of film shooting throughout the world. The processes that are shaping the present-day organization of motion pictures can be observed across a range of industries. An examination of these processes in motion pictures suggests that their association with reagglomeration in urban centers could have an important impact on patterns of urbanization.