“Lights, camera, action” once echoed through this very land where we stand near Inceville. Thomas Ince’s vision shaped early Hollywood. This spot was once a bustling studio ranch. It was the heart of silent film production.
Inceville emerged from Thomas Ince’s ambition. He sought space and variety. In 1912, he bought 460 acres near Sunset Blvd. and Pacific Coast Highway. He also leased 18,000 more acres stretching up Santa Ynez Canyon. Imagine the scale.
Inceville became a self-contained movie-making city. It had stages, offices, labs and even a commissary. The commissary fed hundreds of workers. There were dressing rooms, prop houses and elaborate sets too. Every necessity was here.
During construction, Ince hired the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show. Cowboys, horses, cattle and a Sioux tribe populated the site. Picture teepees dotting the landscape. Once complete, Inceville’s streets featured diverse architecture. Humble cottages stood next to grand mansions. It mimicked styles from around the world.
Thomas Ince formalized filmmaking roles. He defined the jobs of producer, editor, screenwriter and production manager. Directors often handled all those roles before. His assembly-line approach boosted efficiency. It allowed for more simultaneous film productions.
Inceville primarily produced Westerns. The outdoor sets saw constant use. Production stopped in 1922. A fire destroyed Inceville in 1924.
After Ince, William S. Hart bought the ranch. He renamed it Hartville. In 1920, Robertson-Cole Studios took over. It later became FBO then RKO. During that time, it was known as R.C. Ranch.
Interestingly, Harry Houdini visited Inceville in December 1915. He was appearing at the Orpheum in Los Angeles then. A photo shows Houdini and his wife Bess at the studio.
Thomas Ince’s impact extends beyond Inceville’s short life. His studio methods still influence filmmaking today. Though Inceville is gone, its legacy lives on. It shaped how movies are made. His innovations continue to resonate within the “Heart of Screenland.” Inceville remains a significant landmark in film history.