The Entertainment Industry Is Leaving LA – But LA Won’t Admit It

For decades, Los Angeles has been the undisputed epicenter of the entertainment industry. But the tides are shifting. Atlanta, New Mexico, Austin, Toronto, and other emerging hubs are proving that Hollywood no longer has a monopoly on creativity. Streaming, tax incentives, and remote collaboration have accelerated this decentralization—yet many LA-based execs continue to push for rigid in-office policies.

Why? Because geodiversity threatens the traditional power structures that have long defined Hollywood.

The reality is, talent exists everywhere. Emerging markets offer lower costs, fresh perspectives, and new opportunities for both creatives and companies. But if you’re in a position of power in LA, embracing this shift means acknowledging that top-tier work is happening beyond the 30-mile zone. It means hiring outside familiar networks. It means rethinking an entire system that has historically thrived on exclusivity.

So instead, many legacy studios double down on in-office mandates, hoping to preserve an outdated model. But the industry is moving on. Productions are thriving outside of LA. Workflows are becoming more remote-friendly. And the best talent? They’re going where the opportunities are—whether or not LA leadership chooses to follow.

Atlanta: The Hollywood of the South

Georgia has become a dominant force in entertainment, with Atlanta leading the charge. Thanks to generous tax incentives, top-tier studios like Tyler Perry Studios, Trilith Studios (home to Marvel productions), and Pinewood Atlanta have made the state a production powerhouse. In 2023 alone, film and TV productions brought $4.1 billion into Georgia’s economy.

Beyond incentives, Atlanta offers a deep talent pool, lower costs, and a growing infrastructure that rivals Hollywood. More importantly, it has fostered an entertainment culture that amplifies diverse voices, making it a prime location for creatives and executives who see the value in geodiversity.

New Mexico: The Next Big Production Hub

With Netflix and NBCUniversal setting up massive studio spaces in Albuquerque, New Mexico has emerged as a major player. The state offers some of the most competitive tax incentives in the country, along with stunning, diverse landscapes that make it a filmmaker’s dream.

More productions are choosing New Mexico because it offers something LA can’t: a cost-effective, film-friendly environment without the bureaucratic red tape. Major projects like Stranger Things and Better Call Saul have solidified New Mexico’s status as a go-to location for high-quality productions.

Austin: Where Tech and Entertainment Collide

Austin has long been known for its indie film scene and festivals like SXSW, but now it’s becoming a serious contender in mainstream entertainment. With a surge in tech-driven media companies, animation studios, and gaming firms, Austin is uniquely positioned at the intersection of entertainment and technology.

Plus, Texas’s business-friendly policies and cost of living advantages make it an attractive alternative for both startups and established players. The rise of streaming and digital-first content has only made Austin’s blend of tech and entertainment more valuable.

Toronto & Vancouver: Canada’s Entertainment Powerhouses

Canada has always been a major player in global entertainment, but Toronto and Vancouver have taken it to another level. With world-class studios, massive government incentives, and a strong VFX/post-production industry, these cities continue to lure major productions away from LA.

Toronto, in particular, is becoming a hub for streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon Studios, which have ramped up their investments in Canadian productions. Meanwhile, Vancouver remains a hotspot for TV and film, especially for sci-fi and action genres.

Why LA’s In-Office Push Is About Power, Not Productivity

Despite this clear decentralization, many legacy studios in LA are pushing for a return to in-office mandates. They claim it’s about "collaboration"—but is it really?

The truth is, a fully remote or hybrid entertainment industry disrupts the traditional gatekeeping that has defined Hollywood for decades. If creatives, executives, and production talent can succeed from anywhere, LA loses its stranglehold on the industry. It’s not about where work gets done—it’s about who controls it.

But here’s the thing: the industry has already moved on. Productions are thriving outside of LA. Workflows are more remote-friendly than ever. And the best talent? They’re going where the opportunities are—whether or not Hollywood leadership chooses to follow.

What’s Next?

The future of entertainment is borderless. As more regions invest in infrastructure and talent, LA will either adapt to a decentralized industry—or find itself losing more ground.

At Vortex Entertainment Group, we’re building for this future. Our academy is founded on the values of geodiversity and accessibility, ensuring that talented individuals outside of traditional entertainment hubs can find real career opportunities. Unlike many unpaid internships, we focus on paid, fully remote apprenticeships that provide hands-on job experience—so participants don’t have to relocate or be onsite to break into the industry.

We don’t just emphasize certifications and traditional education—we actively bridge the massive skills gap in entertainment by providing practical, on-the-job learning opportunities that directly connect creatives to industry roles. Talent isn’t confined to LA, and neither should opportunity be.

The industry’s success depends on expanding beyond legacy systems and embracing the workforce of the future.

What do you think? Is the industry embracing geodiversity, or is Hollywood still clinging to the past?