By Alycia Kaback | Co-Founder of VIP Ignite Live and Truth Mgmt
In May 2025, headlines hit the entertainment world like a lightning bolt:
Former President Donald Trump announced a proposal to place a 100% tariff on all foreign-made films entering the United States.
His words were blunt: “Hollywood is dying a very fast death.”
And whether you love or hate his politics, one thing is certain — the conversation that followed exposed the fragile, globalized reality of the modern movie business.
At VIP Ignite Live, we’ve always believed in preparing talent for what’s coming next, not what’s already here. So today, let’s look beyond the politics and explore what this means for the entertainment industry — for studios, for streaming giants, and most importantly, for you — the next generation of models, actors, and storytellers.
⚡ A Moment of Reckoning for Hollywood
Let’s be honest: for decades, the “Hollywood” we dreamed about has been quietly outsourcing itself.
Blockbusters shot in New Zealand. TV series filmed in Canada. Post-production in Eastern Europe. Even commercials done overseas because of cheaper labor or tax credits.
Globalization made sense for accountants — but it came at a cost. The heart of American storytelling drifted offshore.
Now, Trump’s proposed tariff has reignited a national debate:
Should the U.S. bring movie production back home?
Should American studios reinvest in American talent, infrastructure and creativity?
These are the same questions Alycia Kaback has been asking for two decades.
“The future of entertainment belongs to the creators who build at home — not those who wait to be invited back to someone else’s party.”
At VIP Ignite Live, we’ve trained thousands of models and actors to own their craft locally — because the truth is, the industry was already moving in that direction before anyone in Washington noticed.
🏗 The Studio Boom Nobody Saw Coming
While the headlines focus on tariffs, something far bigger is happening quietly across America:
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- Nevada is proposing billions in tax incentives for new studio campuses outside Las Vegas.
- New Jersey has Netflix and Lionsgate breaking ground on state-of-the-art facilities in Fort Monmouth and Newark.
- Texas is building mega-studios in Fort Worth and Austin with Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan at the helm.
- Illinois and Georgia continue expanding their incentives and post-production networks.
This isn’t a trend — it’s a transformation.
If a tariff on foreign films pushes Hollywood to bring production back home, these new regions will be ready to absorb it. More soundstages. More crew jobs. More casting calls. More domestic demand for actors and models who can work professionally on set.
And that means more opportunity for the talent VIP Ignite Live was built to serve.
“Made in America” Movies: The Return of the Home-Grown Story
If a 100% tariff became law, foreign-produced films would instantly become more expensive to distribute in the U.S. market. That could force studios to rethink their entire pipeline — and that’s where opportunity lives.
Think about it. For years, filmmakers have gone overseas for cheap production. Now, they’d have a powerful reason to come home — not just to avoid tariffs, but to rebuild their brand around American pride and authentic stories.
For actors and models, this shift could mean:
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- More auditions in your own city. As states expand studio infrastructure, local casting will skyrocket.
- Shorter travel requirements for work. Productions in Texas, Nevada and New Jersey will reduce the need for cross-country relocation.
- Greater visibility for union and independent talent. Smaller productions filmed domestically can tap into a broader pool of fresh faces.
- A renaissance of American storytelling. When you film on American soil, you capture a different spirit — one that resonates deeply with global audiences.
💡 Alycia Kaback’s Vision: Opportunity Through Preparation
Alycia Kaback has been warning talent for years: If you want to succeed in this industry, you must treat it like a business — not a dream.
That’s why VIP Ignite Live exists — to bridge the gap between ambition and execution.
This proposed tariff isn’t just political theater. It’s a wake-up call for creatives to start investing in themselves before the industry comes knocking.
When production comes home, the first people to benefit will be those who are already trained, represented and ready.
At VIP Ignite Live, our community has been building for this moment for over 20 years — training actors and models who’ve landed ads for Apple, Yoplait, Starbucks, the NFL, and more. We’ve seen our talent go from local auditions to national campaigns because they took action when others hesitated.
Now, the same principle applies nationwide.
“This industry doesn’t reward the best dreamers. It rewards the most prepared.” – Alycia Kaback
🎭 The Hidden Ripple Effect of Movie Tariffs
Beyond filmmaking, a tariff like this would ripple through the entire creative economy.
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- Advertising and Commercials: Brands that shoot overseas for lower costs might rethink their budgets, bringing more commercial work back to the U.S. That means more opportunities for commercial models and voice actors.
- Streaming Content: Platforms like Netflix and Amazon could shift more production into American states with strong incentives — creating more union and non-union jobs.
- Independent Film: As foreign projects get costlier, U.S. indie filmmakers may find new room in the market to get funded and distributed locally.
- Training and Education: Acting schools and talent development programs (like VIP Ignite Live) will see a surge in enrollment as people prepare to seize these domestic opportunities.
This is what I call a “creative reset.” The industry has been overdue for it.
⚖ The Politics of Production — and the Power of Preparation
Not everyone supports the idea of movie tariffs, of course.
Critics argue it could trigger retaliation from other countries, raise production costs, and complicate the global flow of media. But there’s a powerful lesson here: regardless of who’s in office, change is inevitable.
You can argue with politics, but you can’t argue with momentum.
And right now, the momentum is clearly toward bringing production home — and making America the epicenter of entertainment once again.
That’s why forward-thinking talent — those who train with Alycia Kaback and VIP Ignite Live — are positioning themselves as leaders in this new era. They’re not waiting to see what happens in Washington. They’re building their brands today.
🌎 From Global Chaos to Local Control
One unexpected benefit of a policy like this could be stability. For too long, American creatives have been at the mercy of global logistics: currency fluctuations, foreign unions, international permits. A domestic revival could simplify all of that.
It could also restore a sense of ownership and accountability. When you shoot at home, you’re investing in your own communities — local crews, local vendors, local dreams.
That’s something Alycia Kaback has championed for years through VIP Ignite Live and Truth Mgmt. Our events aren’t just about training talent — they’re about building economic ecosystems that keep creative capital in our own backyard.
💬 The Conversation We Should Be Having
Instead of asking, “Will tariffs hurt Hollywood?” we should be asking, “How do we rebuild an American film industry that thrives without them?”
That conversation starts with education.
Too many aspiring actors and models have been seduced by false promises from photo mills and scam agencies. They’re told to pay thousands for fake “international opportunities,” while the real work is being created right here at home.
Alycia Kaback has made it her mission to end that cycle.
Through VIP Ignite Live, we teach talent to identify legitimate opportunities, connect with real agents and casting directors, and build careers rooted in truth — not illusion.
If America’s film industry is about to relocalize, the need for educated, professional talent has never been greater.
🔥 What You Can Do Now to Prepare
1. Invest in your training.
Learn how to audition on camera, how to market yourself, and how to network authentically. The world is watching for professionals, not hobbyists.
2. Stay informed.
Understand how industry policies and economics impact your career. Knowledge is power — and most people don’t bother to read the fine print.
3. Leverage your location.
Instead of saying “I wish I lived in L.A.,” start thinking like a local leader. Wherever you are, there are productions, photoshoots, and events within reach.
4. Network strategically.
VIP Ignite Live is a community of connection. From New York to Las Vegas to Miami, our events bring you face-to-face with decision-makers in the industry.
5. Build your brand.
The next era of entertainment belongs to the creators who can not only act or model — but communicate, influence, and connect.
🌟 The VIP Ignite Perspective: Faith Over Fear
When the world changes, most people panic. Visionaries pivot.
That’s the difference between fear and faith.
At VIP Ignite Live, we teach our talent to embrace faith — faith in their skills, in their training, and in their future. Every major industry shift — from streaming to AI to film tariffs — creates massive opportunity for those willing to adapt.
“Change is the universe’s way of asking if you’re ready to level up.” – Alycia Kaback
The question is not whether tariffs will pass or fail. The question is whether you’ll be ready for what happens after.
🕊 A New Age for American Talent
If production returns home, America will need more actors, models, writers and creators than ever before. This is your moment to step forward.
Whether you’re in Las Vegas, Dallas, Atlanta, or Philadelphia, the industry is expanding into your backyard. Don’t wait to be discovered — get prepared to be found.
At VIP Ignite Live, our mission is simple: to help you build a career you can be proud of in an industry that’s finally coming home.
💥 Final Takeaway
Trump’s tariff proposal may sound controversial, but it’s forcing Hollywood to ask the right questions again. Where should movies be made? Who should they empower? And how do we make sure America’s talent — not just its corporations — benefit from the industry they helped build?
For Alycia Kaback and the VIP Ignite Live family, the answer is clear: the future belongs to those who prepare for it now.
So, when the spotlight turns back to America, make sure you’re ready to step into it.
Because the real question isn’t where Hollywood goes next.
It’s whether you’ll be there when it arrives.
“It’s all about people skills and networking and that is what we offer.” – Alycia Kaback
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