La.’s film industry gaining ground on Calif., N.Y.

A new report in Forbes says Louisiana has recently shown unprecedented growth in new film production, more so than anywhere else in the nation, putting the Southern state in competition with states that have long been dominating the film industry, such as California and New York. Boasting one of the most aggressive motion picture tax credit programs in the country, the state has wooed new film production into the state and steered the consistently increasing surge of the film industry, creating an economic impact on both local and national levels. “What we’re seeing is an entire industry that is on the move,” says William French, president of entertainment finance company Film Production Capital in New Orleans. Further explaining that the lower cost of living outside of the Hollywood area has been an important factor in a struggling economy, he adds, “The decentralization is fueled by massive technological improvements, which allow for films to be shot, edited, scored, polished and finished on location.” In addition to the generous tax credit, Louisiana has been able to attract and retain a consistent flow of film production into the state with the growth of skilled workforce, new infrastructure, and versatility and diversity of locations—all assets that are essential for the profitability of films. Read the complete feature here.