In Hollywood's search for cheap, distinctive, and authentic locations, producers and directors are taking their business to foreign soil. Only one of the five 2002 Best Picture nominees was shot in the United States—The Hours, filmed in Hollywood, Florida. Contracting Out Hollywood addresses the American trend of "runaway productions"—the growing practice of producing American films and television programs on foreign shores. Greg Elmer and Mike Gasher have gathered a group of contributors who seek to explain the phenomenon from historical, political, economic, and cultural perspectives, using case studies, challenges to contemporary screen, media, and globalization theories, and analyses of changing government politics toward cultural industries.

Contributions by: Marcus Breen, Susan Christopherson, Stephanie Hemelryk Donald, Greg Elmer, Ben Goldsmith, Nitan Govil, Sara Matheson, Tom O'Regan, Barbara Selznick