Zack Stokell (Madison Paglia/Neon Tommy)

Name: Zack Stokell

Neighborhood: Hollywood

Job: Independent Film Maker

Age: 28

What are the top issues facing Los Angeles and why?

“There are a lot of things going on in Los Angeles that are controversial and can use some change. But for me personally, a big problem is that L.A. film industry jobs are being outsourced to people abroad because it is cheaper to do so. Talented people will go wherever opportunity is, and if these jobs are being outsourced, then the talent will leave. Hollywood and L.A. won’t be the same entertainment capital it has been in the past.”

What could Mayor Garcetti do to address your top priorities?

 “I would just like to see some type of effort on the mayors part towards not allowing people in the film industry to be continually outsourced. Maybe if he came up with some sort of incentive for filmmakers to stay here in L.A. Possibly by passing a bill to lower costs or make it illegal to outsource past a certain point. To be honest I’m not sure how it can be fixed but some attention from the local government would be a good start.”

 Did you vote in the May election? Who did you support?

“I regret to say that I actually did not vote in the May election.”

How has this issue affected you and your work directly?

“Well L.A. has always been swarming with talented people in entertainment but it’s become more difficult to find specific people I need for a project. Most productions I work on are shot abroad, which is sometimes unnecessary. Especially when L.A. has state of the art movie studios right in its back yard.”

Reach Guest Contributor Madison Paglia here.