From The Hollywood Reporter · Thomas Doherty · · 1m 40s
Hollywood Studios Threaten to Leave California for Florida
Major studios threaten to move from California to Florida unless lawsuit against merger is dropped.
In brief
Major studios threaten to move from California to Florida unless lawsuit against merger is dropped. Paramount CEO David Ellison threatens to relocate studios to Florida if California attorney general Rob Bonta drops lawsuit preventing Paramount and Warner Bros. merger. Originally reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Quick answers
- Why Move?
- Hollywood studios want to avoid california's mosquitoes and heat.
- What is the key takeaway from Hollywood Studios Threaten to Leave California for Florida?
- Paramount CEO David Ellison threatens to relocate studios to Florida if California attorney general Rob Bonta drops lawsuit preventing Paramount and Warner Bros. merger.
Hollywood's Origins
Southern California attracted filmmakers with mild weather, diverse scenery, and open shop policies.
“the mild, sunny weather conducive to outdoor shooting”
The 1934 Threat
Hollywood studios threatened to leave california for florida in 1934.
“the dread prospect of a hostile business environment had the major studios contemplating”
Upton Sinclair
Upton Sinclair ran for california governor in 1934 with a plan to control the economy.
“i say there is no excuse for poverty in a civilized and wealthy state like ours”
Sinclair's Campaign
Sinclair proposed state control of banking, agriculture, and industry.
“the old order will have crumbled like a dry-rotted log”
Hollywood's Panic
Studio heads organized to stop Sinclair from winning the election.
“the campaign against upton sinclair is the most effective piece of political humdingery”
Fake Newsreels
Hollywood created fake newsreels to sway voters against Sinclair.
“the newsreels which sinclair has branded fake are not fake”
Sinclair's Loss
Sinclair lost the election by 250,000 votes to Merriam.
“the victor was known by midnight the same day”
Modern Threat
Paramount CEO David Ellison threatens to move studios to florida unless lawsuit is dropped.
“the loss of an estimated 60,000 jobs and, perhaps, a green light signaling a broader exodus”
Florida's Hope
Florida offered tax exemptions to studios seeking to relocate.
“voters approved a measure to give motion picture studios tax exempt status”
The Real Threat
Hollywood's threat to leave california is a bluff.
“where would they get their mountains, and their eucalyptus trees”
Why Move?
Hollywood studios want to avoid california's mosquitoes and heat.
“the mosquitoes”
The Outcome
Hollywood stays in california despite threats.
“hollywood is a state of mind”
The Stakes
A merger could lead to 60,000 job losses and studio exodus.
“the loss of an estimated 60,000 jobs”
The Real Reason
Hollywood's threat is a bluff due to relocation costs.
“the enormous cost of relocation”
The Future
Hollywood may move to florida if lawsuit is dropped.
“the studios never really were going to leave the golden state”
The Takeaway
Paramount CEO threatens to move studios to florida unless lawsuit is dropped.
“the loss of an estimated 60,000 jobs and, perhaps, a green light signaling a broader exodus”
The takeaway
Paramount CEO David Ellison threatens to relocate studios to Florida if California attorney general Rob Bonta drops lawsuit preventing Paramount and Warner Bros. merger.
