Thursday, October 29, 2009
Disney to build new L.A.-area movie facility
Reuters: "The Walt Disney Co. plans to build a 12-stage production facility at its Golden Oak Ranch in the Santa Clarita Valley, northwest of Los Angeles, primarily to serve the production needs of ABC Studios."
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9 comments:
It's interesting that Disney is expanding it's movie facility when there have been drops in production rates and tax increases across the nation. It seems that every corporation is having a rough time in the current economic climate except Disney. However I don't know what the tax situation is in L.A., and perhaps the location is related to tax increases in other locations.
This is fantastic, especially when there is so much film and TV industry moving away from California. Disney seems to always be one of the first to move, so this may be the beginning of a trend in which we see the film industry recovering. The scope of this project is also HUGE! Twelve sound stages is massive, and will employ hundreds of people.
I think overall, this is an incredibly cost effective idea for Disney. As the parent company of ABC, they have had to split up ABC's productions into 9 seperate locations. The problem with doing this is the overlap of resources. Multiple location managers, prop warehouses, lighting repair people, ect. By putting everything together in one location, I am guessing Disney will be saving big money.
Even though the economy is not great, if Disney has the money for this project, the bidding enviroment is great to get a good deal on construction. Plus, people need work more now than ever.
It is great to hear of a company that is expanding instead of making every things smaller. Disney is one of thous companies that seem like they are not effected be the economy that they are in. with the economy that we are in with taxes raising and income for every thing gong down. Also this that they are panning to do this in like 2013 in which is a long time so they still have a wile to not do this if there is something that comes up with this. Also this would help the local economy by making jobs so the government might give them some tax brakes or give them money t do this. I hop that they go thought with this.
I think it's interesting that this is being built in California, because as Brian pointed out in his comment, the industry is moving away from California in general. In a way, I can see it as convenient to those looking for a job in that area, because it will continue to allow LA to be a center of entertainment. I am pleased to see how many jobs it will create, because a growth in the industry is wonderful. I just am curious to see how this comes to realization, and what sort of projects it will be used for, as far as how it will be used between Disney/ABC, and thus how it could be versatile for TV and movies.
I am such a huge fan of the decentralization of Hollywood, but I'm glad that Disney is doing this locally within LA so that the IATSE local that has been hurt by the decentralization still have a monstrous studio to work at. Disney is brilliant at sitting on property until the opportunity is ripe to spring up a massive construction project (look at Disney World) at the most opportune time.
Good to see Disney continue to work and expand , even despite challenging times, both with decentralization in L.A., and the economy. This is a huge project, but will have a huge impact on how they organize things, and help to be more efficient since they'll have all these resources within this complex. Great move on Disney's part, not that they do much else besides make good moves.
I feel the fact that an etertainment company is expanding in this political and economic climate is a good sign. Throughout history, whenever there was a economic down turn, the frst thing to be cut from people's budgets was entertainment, but with this expansion, it shows thast despite the ecponomic hardships, people are showsing thier need to be entertained. As for the facility, I think the istallatio of any newly created technologically advanced entertainment complex is a great idea because it will push the limits of our theatrical capabilities.
I don't think any new sound stage facilities have been built in a really long time. The fact that television is constantly evolving and becoming increasingly complex with a longer structure and larger budgets (ie 24) makes this a great opportunity to address these needs. It's a little ironic that disney is making it for ABC though. ABC's television structure is really not that innovative or cutting edge.
However maybe the expansion is merely the creation of new spaces similar to the spaces they rent now. I wish the article addressed more details as to what went into the design that will makes this worth the cost.
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