Nov 10, 2017, 2:40 PM ETConference Presentation, Panel

Tech or Bust: Maintaining California's Edge in the Workforce

Technicolor, founded 102 years ago, transitioned from film celluloid to a fully digital medium seven years ago, now managing over 8,000 artists globally.
Los Angeles is currently identified as the capital of esports in North America, serving as a hub for companies like Riot Games and Twitch.
Sony moved its PlayStation headquarters from Tokyo to San Mateo, California, marking the first time the company has moved a headquarter operation outside Japan.
The share of video game companies located in California has decreased from 38% six years ago to 30% today, with growth occurring in Austin, Atlanta, Vancouver, and Quebec.
The video gaming and traditional film industries are coalescing, leading to increased competition for shared talent and resources.

International competitors, such as Quebec and various countries, offer direct cash incentives and front-loaded tax credits to attract businesses, contrasting with California's traditional end-of-year tax credits.
California faces a risk of losing talent and operations to regions offering "straight cash" and built infrastructure centers to incubate specific expertise like artificial intelligence.
The gaming industry is increasingly global; for example, E-League built a dedicated studio in Atlanta, Georgia, to partner with Turner, despite having opportunities in Los Angeles.
There is a recognized need for California to prove its value proposition beyond historical dominance to retain major investments like Sony's headquarters.

The industry faces a fixed and finite labor shortage, with major companies actively poaching staff from one another and recruiting globally.
Companies are increasingly utilizing "gig" labor models (e.g., EY's "Gig Now") to access specialized expertise for specific project durations rather than maintaining permanent full-time roles for every skill.
A significant portion of the workforce now requires skills beyond coding, including marketing, logistics, data visualization, and storytelling, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach to education.
There is a critical gap in early education, with current programs often starting too late to scaffold the necessary learning for underserved communities in places like Compton and South Los Angeles.
Initiatives like "Girls Make Games" are cited as vital for broadening the talent pool to include the other 50% of the population, currently dominated by male participants.

Internet access is identified as a paramount utility; the lack of broadband in certain areas prevents California from discovering and utilizing top-tier global talent.
High housing costs in California are cited as a threat to community stability, preventing essential workers (teachers, police, service staff) from living near their workplaces.
A "digital divide" persists where 40% of some low-income populations lack internet access, with some students relying on library Wi-Fi signals to complete homework.
Online harassment and gender bias remain significant cultural problems within the gaming industry that require early intervention through etiquette education.

The panel advocates for the creation of "video game academies" that integrate technical skills with soft skills like conflict management and project leadership.
There is a consensus on the need to teach "how to learn" rather than specific software skills, as the technological landscape changes rapidly.
Incubators are recommended as a primary solution for connecting underserved community college students with subsidized internship programs and industry experience.
Companies are urged to look beyond traditional tech hubs (Stanford, USC) to recruit from a wider network of 30–40 campuses and interior regions to diversify their workforce.
The industry is advised to embrace VR and AR as future athletic and entertainment platforms, potentially replacing traditional physical contact sports.