This has been a dismal year for movies. The industry’s big, chronic problems aside, we’re still in the rain shadow of last year’s strikes, which pushed a lot of movies back a year. There are a handful of indie films that I have hopes for, but they’re just starting to emerge. I can’t think of a major studio film that looks promising, although the streamers will pick up the scattering of good indie films for distribution and pass them off as “originals” because the streamer will be the first to air them.
The film industry has been diversifying away from Hollywood for a long time now. California taxes, regulations, deteriorating infrastructure and lifestyle, and general insanity are a big part of it, but the woke nonsense kicked it into high gear.
The sane people are bailing out. At some probably unexpected point, the trickle could become a flood. A lot of the auditioning, at least the initial rounds, is now done through audition tapes and videoconferencing. Why put up with the California nonsense? Even the major studios, which have most of the sunk costs in Hollywood infrastructure, are shifting to other locations and abroad. The little indie films with a writer/director team of one have no reason to shoot in WokeLandia.
Some of the biggest names have primary residences in other states, perhaps realizing that all glory is fleeting and balking at the insane prices of posh housing in the northern hills, Malibu, and whatnot. Some just move back home. Often nothing to do with politics. Sometimes it may have to do with the frightening and money-sucking degeneracy of the 'parties' -- Diddy's parties have nothin' on any of 'em.