Martin M. Cooper’s new book, The ‘Reel’ Hollywood: The San Fernando Valley, uncovers the rich and often overlooked history of motion picture production in the San Fernando Valley—home to some of the most influential studios and backlots in the entertainment industry. 

It is the first comprehensive look at motion pictures produced in and about the San Fernando Valley and the stories of those in the industry who have lived and made films there.

Spanning the silent era through the modern streaming age, the book explores how the Valley became a production powerhouse, shaping global film and television. From the early days of filmmaking to the rise of its four major studios, the work highlights key productions, industry shifts, and the people who defined Hollywood beyond Hollywood.

Drawing on archival research, historical records, interviews with film professionals, and contemporary accounts, The ‘Reel’ Hollywood offers a compelling narrative documenting and celebrating the region’s cinematic impact.

Cooper’s deep ties to the industry and the region uniquely position him to tell this story. Over a distinguished career, he supervised public relations and communications for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, including the Academy Awards, for 10 years, and also held management roles at Universal Studios and Walt Disney Studios. 

In addition to his industry leadership, Cooper has contributed to the preservation and understanding of film history. He served as chairman of the UCLA Film & Television Archive and has written a monthly column for the five newspapers of the Valley News Group for the past five years chronicling the rich motion picture heritage of the San Fernando Valley. Of his five published books, three have been on the history of the San Fernando Valley. The San Fernando Business Journal dubbed him the “Valley Historian.”

All profits from The ‘Reel’ Hollywood: The San Fernando Valley are being donated to the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley, of which Cooper is Chairman Emeritus.

According to Bob Blumenfield, Los Angeles 3rd District Councilperson and former member of the California Film Commission, “Martin Cooper’s new book tells the fascinating story of how the San Fernando Valley became the hub of the motion picture industry. It is a story of creative excellence, economic development, and individual achievement. This is a book of important historical achievement. Martin Cooper’s book reads like fiction, but it’s all fact.”

The book is available on Amazon (Amzn.to/3NDauas), as well as through other online retailers and local bookstores. 

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