In this study I WAS utilizing 4 housing solutions to designate each city category. I had 'Individual Housing', 'Community Housing', 'Individual Rental' and 'Community Rental' designations based on the real estate climate & local cost of living. However, since the purpose of this study is to make it easier to pick a location to get into the film or animation industry, living situation seems to confuse the matter further. I'm sure finding the BEST living situation wherever you go (based on your own priorities), and of course, factoring in your own income & assets is going to happen regardless. It is isn't, well it needs to ...but that is something I can't do for anyone.
OK! Next I have 5 priorities in each of those cities/areas mentioned explained as thus (there has been a priority change here). 'Cheap' being costs of property and relative standard of living as distinguished in that area. 'Industry' being the presence of Film Industry (Infrastructure, Studios, Production Companies with Distribution, Jobs, Major Festivals, Film & Art Schools, Filmmaking Services, Filmmaking Societies, Filmmaking Incentives, and a good Film Office). Some have strong animation and not strong film (or visa versa) which can bring down the score. 'Film Community' is the presence of a supportive local film community (such as a tight knit group of supportive fellow Indy Filmmakers, Film Societies, Community Theaters, Micro-Cinemas, Non-Profits, & possibly some services or organizations to help build a stronger filmmaking community). An Indy filmmaking spirit really helps here. 'Livable' is the comfort index based on the measure of cosmopolitan, modern, convenient, diverse, and unique places and things to do in that community. A coffee house culture helps here. Also, the uncomfortability of extreme weather can contribute to 'unlivable' conditions. 'Family' is the sense of security a neighborhood has from a variety of benefits in that community. I get it from a combination of crime stats, local neighborhood morale, clean neighborhoods, sufficient government services and a neighborhood watch presence or something like it. I combined this rating with the formerly known 'Community' rating which was the sense that not only is crime low but the community is somewhat family friendly and has good schools to show for it. Walkability, parks and recreational areas or theme parks are a plus here as well. I have, of course, rated these based on what I know now from these communities.
Many of these changes occurred because I felt I was emphasizing too much on a 'nice', & 'safe' community rather than what was really important here which is the quality of the film/animation community. You may find the presence of some of the cities listed (or not listed) a surprise to you. Hey, let me know if you want to see something thats not on there! I have now done a ton of research however, and doing more of it might be just freaky at this point.
Regardless of my desire to move to NYC, due to new changes in film incentives this last year & the fact that filmmakers have REALLY responded in a very tangible way to make Michigan the next place to be in the film world, well... Michigan is now looking better on this list. Considering the new results I have made, some fresh advice would be to get as many other aspiring filmmakers involved as possible which can really be trusted to contribute to a tangible filmmaking collaboration in this burgeoning film community known as "The Mitten". The film incentives are incredibly helpful now for filmmakers & new film companies (such as tax refunds, permits, police escorts, and money to help your film company's growth). I still <3 NYC though!
The Cities (1-19): 1st being good, & 19th being, well... 19th!
Priorities: | Cheap | Industry | Film Community | Livable | Family | Total |
- Grand Rapids- 9 - 7 - 8 - 6 - 8 - 38
- NYC- 1 - 10 - 10 - 9 - 4 - 34
- Detroit- 10 - 9 - 9 - 3 - 2 - 33
- Milwaukee- 7 - 6 - 7 - 7 - 6 - 33
- Wilmington, NC- 5 - 6 - 7 - 7 - 6 - 31
- Albuquerque, NM- 4 - 8 - 7 - 7 - 5 - 31
- Upstate NY- 7 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 8 - 30
- Minn./St.Paul- 5 - 5 - 6 - 6 - 8 - 30
- Cleveland Area- 9 - 4 - 6 - 6 - 5 - 30
- Madison, WI- 6 - 4 - 7 - 4 - 8 - 29
- Columbus OH- 7 - 3 - 6 - 6 - 6 - 28
- Shreveport, LA- 6 - 7 - 7 - 4 - 4 - 28
- Austin, TX- 6 - 7 - 7 - 4 - 4 - 28
- Chicago- 3 - 7 - 8 - 6 - 4 - 28
- Portland- 2 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 5 - 28
- St. Louis- 7 - 2 - 6 - 6 - 7 - 28
- Seattle- 2 - 6 - 6 - 8 - 5 - 27
- Denver- 4 - 4 - 5 - 7 - 6 - 26
- Savannah- 6 - 4 - 5 - 5 - 5 - 25
About the decision to move & to collaborate, well, let's talk about it! Otherwise its not much of a collaboration, is it? None of this should be taken lightly because it is would be an expensive mistake right now to move to the wrong area. I can provide some source info links on cities if you are looking at a certain area.
Jon
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