News was recently released that the Screen Actors Guild has tentatively come to an agreement with the studios.  The last two years the entertainment industry has been in a holding pattern with the Writers Strike and SAG operating without a contract for roughly the last year under the constant threat of a work stoppage.  Well, Friday good new came across the news wires, or so we thought.  SAG and the studios reached a tentative two year deal, but the union president swears to oppose the deal.  The new agreement is not far from what the Writers negotiated over a year ago, something SAG could have taken long ago and kept the industry moving along in this rough economy.  I don’t see how actors could turn this agreement down with the economic climate in Los Angeles today.  Actor’s should be excited about the potential of more production work.  Should everything pass we could see the benefits across the Los Angeles area with camera operators, editors, caterers, location companies, make-up artists and more getting more work the Los Angeles economy could turn off of this one change.  I know it’s a lot to wish for, but who ever said positive thinking was a bad thing?

I just read an article on the NY Times Blog that made me realize how hard hit the entertainment industry has been with the recent economic woes.  Film Locations in the city of Los Angeles are at their lowest rates in over 16 years.  With an entertainer as the governor of California how can we not be supporting an entertainment stimulus package similar to what Canada, Detroit and other cities competing for filming have done.  Their are tax incentives in many cities to promote the use of locations throughout the United States, why does Los Angeles and the great state of California not push something through to keep their prime business in their own district boundaries.  Michigan would fight if the auto industry threatened to leave Detroit, North Carolina has its claim on the tobacco industry and Los Angeles has the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and the television and film industries.  As a long time resident of Los Angeles as well as a part of a business that relies on film companies working on their productions in Los Angeles and production companies renting office space it is a shame to see that we have allowed other cities to take our business away without a fight.

Living in California definitely has its perks, but the high tax rates is not making it easy to survive in this tough economic time.  California not only has the highest state income tax rate but has recently raised taxes in many other areas to make up for a state budget deficit.

The sales tax has already increased and is scheduled to go up again in a few months.  While many businesses are struggling to sell their products and increase in sales tax is not helping any struggling business.  While you may think this only stretches as far as the California border the effect stretches across the entire country.  California residents are thinking twice about purchasing a new car or buying new furniture.  Major purchases of all types are being put off for a time when the economy and the cost is more justifiable.  Businesses that have been struggling to sell their products or services are now forced to cut sales prices to make up for the difference that the state in now taking.  Now go the next step, landlords are hearing that tenants are operating failing businesses and need rent reductions or are going out of business.  The effects go on and on from one industry to another. 

If your business has been effected by these recent changes or you have lost your job due to the rough economy in California then make your unhappiness heard.  Write the big guy in Sacramento and let him know your feelings.  California needs new leadership as the promises of a better California have ended up broken.

The most well known area of Los Angeles, Hollywood is once again going through a rebirth.  While the Sunset Strip may be the place for those in their 20s, Hollywood is developing into the place to live, work, dine and more for everyone who has not just turned 21.  Live/Work lofts, gourmet restaurants owned by celebrities and fancy new hotels are all a part of what is remaking Hollywood.

The next generation of city dwellers are finding themselves not living downtown, but in Hollywood.  The W Hotel is almost finished just blocks away the Broadway Building and across form the Pantages Theatre.  Hollywood & Highland and Sunset & Vine may have their glitz and glamour but they are not what is driving this Hollywood renaissance.  Several years ago Creative Environments of Hollywood developed and began leasing Cosmo Lofts, the first live/work loft project in the Hollywood area.  Since that time the W Hotel, a Whole Foods, and a slew of celebrity owned restaurants have accompanied projects like the Broadway building to bring those working in Hollywood to start living in Hollywood.