Reimagining New York: A Hollywood Story
In the heart of Los Angeles, a slice of New York City thrives. The Radford Studio Center hosts a replica of New York’s bustling streets, featuring quintessential elements like a diner, brownstones, and a subway entry. This iconic set was the home of the 1990s hit TV show Seinfeld.
The Radford Studio Center, established in 1928 by silent film icon Mack Sennett on a former lettuce ranch, has been a cornerstone of American television history. Notable shows such as Gunsmoke, Gilligan’s Island, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show were filmed here.
A Historic Production Hub
Zach Sokoloff, senior vice president at Hackman Capital Partners, highlights the positive energy of Radford’s soundstage nine, where Seinfeld was filmed. Riding through the studio grounds, Sokoloff points out famous scenes, including the “Soup Nazi” episode and the balcony from where Jerry famously threw a marbled rye.
After a devastating 6.7 magnitude earthquake in 1994, Radford Studio built the New York backlot to keep Seinfeld in Los Angeles rather than moving to New York. Sokoloff notes, “There was trepidation about remaining in LA, so we decided to bring New York to the production.”
A National Debate on Production Migration
The conversation around keeping film and TV production in the U.S. intensified when President Trump proposed a 100% tariff on films made outside the country. This announcement followed a meeting with his “special ambassador” Jon Voight and raised concerns within the global film industry.
Voight, along with Sylvester Stallone and other industry leaders, urged for federal tax incentives to boost U.S. production. The decline in domestic production is evident, as noted by FilmLA, with the industry struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and labor strikes.
Incentives Around the Globe
Countries like Canada, the UK, Ireland, and Australia offer attractive production incentives, drawing work away from the U.S. Joe Chianese of Entertainment Partners explains how productions stimulate local economies, noting the global competition for these opportunities.
Within the U.S., states like New York and New Jersey are enhancing incentives to lure productions. California, traditionally the entertainment capital, faces challenges as other states aggressively compete for film and TV projects.
California’s Call to Action
Despite its rich talent and infrastructure, California’s tax credit program needs improvement, according to Casey Bloys of HBO and Max Content. The state initiated tax credits only in 2009, which was late compared to other regions.
Governor Gavin Newsom is pushing to expand California’s incentives, with plans to partner with the Trump administration to strengthen domestic production. Pamala Buzick Kim of Stay in LA advocates for enhancing local incentives, emphasizing that most production workers are everyday people, not the wealthy elite.
Kim acknowledges the confusion Trump’s tariff proposal caused but appreciates the national focus on preserving Los Angeles’s legacy in the entertainment industry.
