This study examines the complex relationship betweenmovie budgeting and the creative process in Hollywoodfilmmaking. To understand the effects of thisrelationship on the finished product, several filmsare analyzed throughout pre-production,production and post-production. These stages offilmmaking are further divided into categories foreach case in order to reveal examples of potentialconflicts that arise between investors and creators.A case study approach is guided by theories of theproduction of culture, which state that creativeproducts manufactured in the cultural industry mustbe analyzed in relation to their surrounding society.In their application to these cases, these theoriessuggest that social and financial influences onmembers of the Hollywood community produce a uniquecreative environment that may become increasinglydetached from an international audience.Findings suggest previous indicators of box officesuccess are becoming primary influences in thefilmmaking process. The study also finds thatfinancial standards in Hollywood potentially inhibitinnovation among creative participants within alimited Hollywood creative sphere.