The Great Migration: Why Movie Studios Chose Los Angeles

There's no denying that Los Angeles plays a pivotal role in the global movie industry. Yet, has it always been so? Why did so many movie studios choose to relocate to Los Angeles in the early 1900s? This article delves into the climate, geographical advantages, and historical context that made Los Angeles the perfect hub for Hollywood.

The Climate and Its Appeal

Among the greatest draws for the movie industry was the climate and its stability. Unlike many other regions, California enjoys a consistent year-round weather that's ideal for outdoor filming. The Mediterranean climate, characterized by its mild, dry winters and warm, humid summers, ensures that filming can take place almost all year round. The lack of humidity, low yearly rainfall, and absence of heavy snow make it an ideal environment for production.

Moreover, the rich variety of landscapes in Southern California, including deserts, mountains, snow, scrub brush, and even beaches, offered studios unparalleled flexibility. These varied terrains allowed them to film almost any genre, from westerns to dramas set in desert or foreign locations. Local cities and towns ranging from small villages to bustling metropolitan areas provided a broad range of location options for different movies.

Land Availability and Cost

In addition to the climate, the availability of cheap land was a major factor. During the early 20th century, California was largely underdeveloped with large tracts of land used for agriculture. This made it economically feasible for studios to acquire land to build their facilities. The combination of low land prices and plentiful natural resources made California a fertile ground for the film industry to thrive.

Away from Patent Holders and Closer to Inspiration

The move Westward also served multiple strategic purposes. Studios sought to be further away from patent holders, most of whom were based on the East Coast. Being far away made it harder for these companies to exert control over the film industry. Furthermore, the West offered a variety of locations that were not available in the Eastern United States. Hollywood, Culver City, and Burbank, among other locales, provided a diverse range of landscapes that could be used in film production.

The Birth of Hollywood

The early 1900s saw the emergence of a nascent film industry in Los Angeles. By 1910, with a population of just 300,000, Los Angeles was far from the small village that many New Yorkers imagined. New Jersey, on the other hand, simply did not offer the geographical diversity or the large population that studio operators desired. The great migration to Southern California was a combination of climate, geographical advantages, and the desire to be free from royalty obligations for equipment.

Today, with over 4 million people in the city and more than 10 million in Los Angeles County, Los Angeles remains the second largest US city and a hub of creativity and innovation in the film industry. The climate, combined with the diverse landscapes and the strategic location, continues to attract filmmakers from around the world, cementing L.A.'s position in the global landscape of cinema.