The movie industry in the US was originally based around New York City. Various studios in Fort Lee, New Jersey and Kaufman Astoria studios in Queens were wher

The movie industry in the US was originally based around New York City. Various studios in Fort Lee, New Jersey and Kaufman Astoria studios in Queens were where a lot of motion pictures were made (some still are in Kaufman Astoria). Intellectual property issues around patents were one of the reasons the movie business moved to LA. Edison was thought to be less able (or willing) to successfully sue non-client film companies operating in California.