l-higby/dt1st/mark2nd

Keeping Hollywood in L.A.

Joel Kotkin spotlights two very important factors regarding the long-term viability of Los Angeles as the center of film and television production (“Filming Fadeout,” Dec. 7). In quoting Cody Cluff of the Entertainment Industry Development Corp., he points to a lack of loyalty to Los Angeles on behalf of producers.

From my experience, it seems that many of the major motion picture studios don’t have the same commitment to schools, neighborhoods and community programs that other local industries do. Unlike banks, oil companies, utilities, etc., the studios have not made the connection between strong communities and their long-term profits.

At the same time, Los Angeles has not done enough for the industry. While local government has done a good job streamlining the bureaucracy that hampered production in the past, much remains to be done. Homeowner associations routinely try to block location shooting. More critical, however, our local public schools have done a terrible job preparing children for careers in the arts and the entertainment industry. This is why Hollywood has had to import actors, writers and directors from places such as New York. And with the recent explosion of digital production, studios have had to go overseas to find the necessary talent. Rather than wait for the public schools, some production firms are scrambling to set up training programs for local students.

Mr. Kotkin signals a clarion call to Los Angeles and the entertainment industry that both have their work ahead of them to firmly cement L.A. as the hometown of Hollywood. Let’s hope they hear it.

MICHAEL HIGBY

North Hollywood