“There’s no business, like showbusiness” is what they say in the industry! When most people think about the San Fernando Valley, they might think of shopping malls, parks, neighborhoods, and easy access to the beaches, mountains, and deserts that make Southern California unique. But there is another side of the Valley that has helped define it for generations: The Studio industry. The Studios in the valley? What do I mean by studio? Well I am glad you asked!
The studio industry is naturally called the Entertainment industry where many movie studios are established, primarily; Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, Disney Studios, and CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System) ! Some little known facts about the fab four entertainment studios; Universal Studios came first since it was founded in the year of 1912 followed by Warner Brothers & Disney Studios in 1923 and last but not least; CBS which was founded in 1927 as a radio network. On a side note, Warner Brothers was incorporated in April of 1923 while Disney was incorporated in October 1923.
You must be wondering why I haven’t mentioned Paramount and Sony, well that’s because they’re specifically in Los Angeles. Paramount being located in Hollywood and Sony being located in Culver City. But they are a huge part of the The “Big 5” studios located here in Los Angeles. You’re probably wondering why I count CBS, well because it literally is a studio but it’s based more upon television and radio than films unlike Universal and the rest of the bunch.
There are many reasons why I am bringing up the entertainment industry. Well there are many factors on why i bring it up.
- Because it’s in the Valley’s blood
- Because it is in MY BLOOD
- Because it is what makes the valley and all around the Los Angeles City community a big deal!
Can you tell I am passionate about it? Oh yes, indeed I am but it’s more of a personal love then anything else. I grew up around the studio business. My paternal great-grandfather, paternal grandfather, father, uncle, great-uncle, 2 cousins, were OR are in the business. I say WERE and ARE for reasons. My great-grandfather, grandfather, father, uncle, and great-uncle have all RETIRED from their careers, my father being the last. My great-grandfather, grandfather, and great-uncle unfortunately all crossed-over to the other side.
I can’t give you all the details on where they have worked but I’ll give away the majority. My great-grandfather worked at 20th Century Fox as I recall, my great-uncle worked at Columbia SONY pictures and retired there, my grandfather worked at Charlie Chaplin studios then at CBS for 40 years and retired from there. My uncle worked at CBS and then at Universal studios for a long while and retired from there. My great-uncle worked at SONY for many years and retired from there. My father worked for CBS for some years, he worked at Paramount Studios for 17 years, and then worked for Warner Bros for 12 years and he recently retired. My cousin J, has worked for Disney Studios and SONY since he’s been in the business and my cousin, M, has been working as an editor for Marvel studios and other projects for a while now and he graduated with BA in Film. My cousin, C. is current graduate from a California University with a BA in film to become a producer. So yeah, it’s in the blood.
You’re probably wondering why and where I am today and if I followed the family nepotism ?
Well, no, not necessarily. It’s a complicated matter however I work for people who used to be in the industry who are now retired. I help the assistant living of the entertainment industry locally here in the valley to have their meals everyday and have nice conversations with them. Is it what I want to do for the rest of my life? No. Is it somewhat of a rewarding job to make the residents happy, YES!
I thought I would be in the studio business by now, however I didn’t know what I even wanted to pursue in it. I didn’t get much help or guidance. All I know is that I absolutely love photography and writing and when I was in tech theatre production, I really fell in love with the lighting aspect of it, however I didn’t want to become a lighting designer either because truthfully i never fully understood the concept but I sure do appreciate the art form and what they do. Becoming a stage manager interested me at one point too however it was too complicated for me to really endure it all.
The point I am trying to make here is though, I have a passion for writing and photography, I always have since I was young. I was always the one taking photos and videos, I always enjoyed reading books and writing about anything and even my mom & others have told me I should have or should become a writer of some sort. I am finally starting to listen, I just have been trying to find myself.
I always find myself going back to writing and photography for a career path. I just have to figure it all out. My goal is to become a writer and photography will be a hobby/side gig. I’ve always loved writing and to be honest I’ve always wanted to become a writer, but I didn’t know what exactly I wanted to do but my mind is more open now about it and I’ve done a lot of research. It is something I truly am passionate about and I can just see myself being a writer professionally and doing it on the side so why not both? Yes photography is my thing as well but I’m doing that as well, but it’s definitely probably gonna be more as a hobby gig or writing is gonna be more of my professional outlook with the logistic side and the creative side of it all. That is what I am aiming towards nowadays and trying to make my own business with my media skills. I’ve been concentrating on social media marketing, copywriting, content writing, writing short stories , content creation, and photography. I am currently enrolled in a summer 7 week copywriting course from a Los Angeles writing school called Writing Pad, Live online classes taught by writers from the biggest shows & publications based in Los Angeles.
So in some ways, I still have the creative side to me but it’s just in another form. Overall, there is no business like show business. I do love show business and appreciate all of what they do but God has a plan for me and it’s just taking its time. Time will tell.
The entertainment industry taught me the value of storytelling, but writing is where I’ve found my own voice.
I did personally go off topic so i’ll definitely go off on a part two of how the Studio Industry and why it defines the valley more so in one of my future blogs. Stay tuned!
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