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MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRYLouisiana has seen the highest statewide film activity growth in the country and is currently the top production location of choice outside Los Angeles and New York. Louisiana's film industry has experienced an annual employment growth rate of 23 percent each year -- the highest in the nation. Over the last few years the annual growth in wages has been greater than 31 percent. (ERA Study) This success is due, in part, to an incentives package geared to the industry that is second to none. Louisiana’s motion picture incentives were designed to create a strong capital base for motion pictures and to help achieve an independent and economically sustainable entertainment industry. For the long term, the production and infrastructure incentives also serve to attract private investment for the production of motion pictures and developing the studios, production houses and support services to grow a native Louisiana entertainment industry. Since the incentive program’s inception, the motion picture industry in Louisiana has grown an astounding 5,000 percent, translating into more than $800 million in economic stimulus for the Louisiana economy since 2002. In 2005, approximately a third of a production’s budget was spent in Louisiana; for 2007, that number now reaches 87 percent of a production’s budget being spent in the state. Louisiana has grown its local film industry union labor (IATSE) to nearly 500 strong; an approximate 200 percent increase since 2002. Louisiana payroll alone has amounted to an average of $40 million per year since 2003, totaling nearly $200 million in payroll wages earned by Louisianans. Louisiana residents have embraced the industry – well over 2000 locals working on projects in a variety of positions. Louisiana also benefits from the transition to digital cinema technology, such as HD productions that are becoming increasingly prominent in television and film. At UNO's Robert E. Nims Center in Harahan, construction is being completed on high definition production suites that will include online and offline editing bays, a screening room, and an ADR (additional dialogue recording) suite. Louisiana has committed to creating production hubs for the entertainment industry in our own backyard. In 2007, Louisiana experienced a banner year, hosting production of more than 50 feature films and TV movies, such as Black Water Transit, The Mist, Harold & Kumar 2, The Cleaner and two TV series – Fox’s K-Ville and Disney’s Imagination Movers. For more information on the film industry, contact: Chris Stelly Explore the resources below to get more information. Louisiana Department of Film & Television Louisiana Economic Development: Profile on Entertainment Industry Download a brochure outlining Louisiana's entertainment industry tax credit programs here Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center Stage set for new $30M studio in Algiers... [read more] |
