Exporting Files, and Jobs

This is a MediaNote Classic. It was originally presented to MC101 students in Spring 2013.

This MediaNote will be presented only to TTh classes in Spring 2015.

On the face of it, Hollywood special effects wizards should have plenty of work at great pay. Their job is a highly skilled combination of technology and art. And films, TV shows and ads are using more and more digital special effects.

But the highly portable nature of digital communications--whether it be a simple email or an enormous special effects file--means that they can be created half a world away. Because of this, Hollywood special effects companies have fallen on hard times. The Los Angeles Times reports on this disturbing trend.

Questions...

•Why are special effects jobs good jobs for workers and for California?

•Should taxpayer money be used to keep film jobs in the state? Does anything make these jobs more important to protect than others?

•According to the article, special effects houses in India are 60% cheaper. Is there a solution to this?