Studio head says film industry needs to evolve

Louisiana’s film industry needs to produce more of its own content and keep the rights and royalties in-state, says Patrick Mulhearn, director of Raleigh Studios Baton Rouge at the Celtic Media Centre. Mulhearn was one of several speakers at Louisiana Looking Up, hosted by LSU’s Flores MBA Program on Thursday. He encouraged entrepreneurs in the room to consider getting involved in the film business, saying the 2,500 titles owned by the LSU Press could provide content. The production team of the film Battleship only spent $70 million of its $250 million budget in Louisiana, but they might have spent twice as much here if Baton Rouge had a top-notch visual effects operation, Mulhearn says. He says he’s been talking with Baton Rouge Area Chamber CEO Adam Knapp about trying to recruit such an operation. “We need to evolve as an industry,” Mulhearn says. “To beat Hollywood, we need to be Hollywood. That means having every piece of the puzzle in the state.” Knapp, who also spoke at the event, said BRAC currently has 72 active prospects. He mentioned three new points of emphasis for the chamber going forward: promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, competing internationally, and competing on the basis of local talent, which involves attracting people who are from here but have moved to other cities. —David Jacobs