A hybrid agglomeration? The development of a satellite-Marshallian industrial district in Vancouver's film industry

The new industrial district is now seen as one of several dynamic regional formations that may co-exist in contemporary economies. In addition to the traditional Marshallian or Italianate variety, Markusen has suggested three other forms of industrial district: the hub-and-spoke district, the satellite platform and the state-anchored district. In this article, developments within the North American film industry are used to illustrate the dynamics of a 'hybrid' industrial district form, which is termed the satellite-Marshallian district. A detailed case study is presented of the film production complex in Vancouver, which has risen to prominence as Hollywood studios and television networks have continued to increase their offshore location shooting. The analysis is based upon a series of in-depth interviews undertaken with key agents associated with the Vancouver film industry in the second half of 1997.