Film union negotiations could have major impact on Baton Rouge

Negotiations happening today in Los Angeles between the largest union for entertainment industry workers, the IATSE, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers could affect the health of the Baton Rouge-based movie business for the next three years. Currently, Baton Rouge, unlike New Orleans and Shreveport, is not considered a “production center” by the industry, which makes it more expensive to shoot here than in cities with the designation. The AMPTP, according to sources, wants Baton Rouge to have that designation, but the Louisiana members of the IATSE, most of whom live in New Orleans, oppose the move (for a full explanation of the issue, read a story in the new issue of Business Report here). The two sides returned to the negotiating table this week to work out a union contract for the next three years, and Patrick Mulhearn, director of studio operations for Raleigh Studios Baton Rouge at the Celtic Media Centre, says he has heard an agreement is expected by 9 p.m. Central time. “We’re hearing that [the union] is really digging in their heels and don’t want it to happen,” he says. “But I’m also hearing the AMPTP really wants this, so anything could happen.” Mulhearn says he met today with Gov. Bobby Jindal’s chief of staff, Stephen Waguespack, to discuss the issue, and has also conferred with LED. However, it is unclear what the state could or would do to affect the negotiations. —David Jacobs