Even now, though, shooting a big-budget movie is still expensive enough that most filmmakers need a good reason to shoot in the city.

On one side there were the difficulties of getting financing for big-budget movies.

Two big-budget movies set to film in Louisiana have already moved out of state, and others may follow.

Nevertheless, there is a pattern of exceptions to the notion that only big-budget movies can succeed.

The problem is that most big-budget movies are marketed to the widest audience possible.

Every weekend through the summer, big-budget movies compete for dominance at the box office.

And so far, none of the new batch of French women directors has made a big-budget movie.

I became involved in the writing of a big-budget movie, "Mission Kashmir," and got to know the industry from the inside.

It's an extraordinary thing to do to make a big-budget movie that is so singular, so completely personal.

But with big-budget movies, the trend toward betting it all on the opening weekend seems inexorable.