If you live in LA, you know Hollywood isn’t a ghost quite yet, but it’s in need of Life Support. And I predict, it’s already here, because

Budget Isn’t Everything – Anymore

Don’t get out your hankies for the Wood of Holly, because more than a few low-budget, niche films – one making box-office history -were filmed in So. Cal, leaving expensive movies that moved out, in the dust.

And these successful movies are “INDEPENDENTS” produced & directed by Gen-Z actors, documentarians and writers, for budgets under $10 million, and each gaining unexpectedly, high box office receipts.

Among the Indie films Breaking Good in 2026 are two small- budget independents. They are:

Obsession (made in California)for $750,000 (not including marketing, etc) and grossing $520 million. Young Curry Barker wrote, directed and edited the horror film, and

You Can See Everything – the new, must-see documentary about Elizabeth Holmes, made for under $7 million, (not including marketing). It just opened small. but made an extraordinary $15 million on only 855 screens. The three-hour long film was directed and produced. by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim. It was filmed in near-by Del Mar, California.

With so many not-working, above-and-below-the line actors and crews in Hollywood, the empty studio lots, and with revised, new Tax- cuts, independent film-makers now have their pick of experienced, hard-workers & sets to choose from. No other location can make that claim.

TV Is Still A Thing But Not A HeyDay Yet…

And shows like “Lincoln Lawyer” and “Tracker,” which moved back to Los Angeles, are keeping the lights on Sunset Blvd. Meanwhile, UCLA & USC Film Schools, and others colleges here, are also robustly turning out grads in Producing, Directing, Writing majors. These Gen-Z young bloods are inspired & encouraged by hits like the niche, independent films listed above. And they are ready to start creating movies here, just like the New Yorkers who came to Edendale in the 1920s.

You Don’t Need To Be Psychic To See Hollywood Rising

The storied Film center will upcycle itself from its Near-Death Experience; All with the help of a mix of experienced crews, who never left Hollywood& the Film-Rush of new, multi-talented, creative, movie-lovers, who just needed to grow up.

#HollywoodRising #Obsession #YouCanSeeEverything #LowBudgetMovies #Psychic