Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The Louisiana Movie Industry is Strong, Happy New Year!


Happy New Years and I hope that it will be a very prosperous one for Louisiana. It will be hard to beat last years record of 80 films but it is worth a try. It has been a great year for Louisiana with some of the biggest films of the year filming in our great state. From the “Curious Case of Benjamin Button” with Brad Pitt to “Year One” starring Jack Black, Hollywood has helped the Louisiana Film Industry stay in the fore front of the many states now offering tax incentives and rebates. Now Louisiana’s job is to keep films here.

“Treme” an HBO series is presently working in New Orleans and will be shooting in the coming months. Also in the works, Louisiana is concentrating on more video game productions as well as more advertising productions to work in the state.

In the rumor mill I have heard that there is a good chance of some really big films coming in 2009 which could really start out the year big. First of all there is “The Expendables” with Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Forest Whitaker and Dolph Lundgren to star and Stallone to direct the film. This movie will either be filmed in Shreveport or New Orleans or both, either way it is a big budget film and should bring plenty of work to the State. "The Courier" staring Adrian Brody will start production in January in Shreveport and I have heard that Nu Image, Millennium Studios is working on a 15 picture deal also for the State this year. Also there are rumblings of the “Green Lantern" with looking at possibly filming in Louisiana
in 2009.

Millennium Studios Shreveport has cleared and leveled the grounds in to make way for their
$20 million dollar Studio’s first phase of construction. Plans have been submitted to the city for approval and construction should begin in early 2009.

At any rate, the Movie industry seems to still grow in the state and so with a wing and a prayer, with the economy tanking, and the “Big Three” in trouble, stock market crashing and the world to end soon, Louisiana seems to be doing pretty good.

God Bless you all and may next year be a great one.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Louisiana Film Industry has a Record Year


By Stacey Plaisance •

The Associated Press •

December 23, 2008 2:00 am



NEW ORLEANS — Landing such films as Oliver Stone's "W." and Universal Pictures' "Cirque du Freak," Louisiana set a production record in 2008 with more than 80 major film and television projects.

The total eclipses the state's previous record, 56 projects, set in 2007.
The activity shows Louisiana continues to grow as a filming location outside traditional production hubs in California and New York.
"It's been a great year for us here in Louisiana, and we are very excited about where the industry is headed," said Chris Stelly, head of the state film office. But with the economy in a downturn, a reality check could be ahead.
"We are prepared, with the current economy, for fewer movies to be made," said Amber Havens, spokeswoman for the state film office.
Still, Louisiana has some projects on the horizon for early 2009, including the HBO cable television series "Treme," which is slated to begin shooting in New Orleans in coming months. That project, named after the historic New Orleans neighborhood where many musicians live, will document the city's music scene, political corruption and recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
The state also is working to attract advertising production and digital video gaming and music and sound recording projects, Stelly said.
Louisiana began offering tax incentives for in-state filming in 2002, creating business for local production studios and equipment retailers that serve the industry. Stelly said $32 million in incentives were granted in 2008. Since 2002, $443 million in tax incentives have been awarded.
The incentives program has not been without problems. Mark Smith, a former state film commissioner, pleaded guilty last year to taking about $65,000 in bribes to help inflate tax credits. He is awaiting sentencing and has cooperated with federal investigators.
On Dec. 12, Malcom Petal — a producer for the films "Bug," "Factory Girl" and "Mr. Brooks," which starred Kevin Costner and was partly filmed in Louisiana — pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe Smith. He will be sentenced later.
In 2007, a state law tightened oversight of the program, which provides tax credits to production companies that use goods and services while shooting in Louisiana.
Though roughly 40 states offer tax incentives in varying forms, Louisiana is experiencing aggressive growth, said David Bergman, spokesman for Economic Research Associates, an international consulting firm that tracks the industry.
According to figures released by Louisiana, production expenditures from movies made in this state since 2002 exceed $2 billion, including $200 million in payroll.
Being among the first states to offer incentive packages, Louisiana has had more time to establish film and television infrastructure and its talent pool, Bergman said.
"Local labor is a huge factor. Production companies look at the availability, skills and cost of local labor when they consider where to take their productions. It's not just about tax incentives."
Other states giving Louisiana strong competition include New Mexico, North Carolina, Georgia and Michigan, Bergman said.
In a 2007 study by his firm, Louisiana and New Mexico lead other states in employment growth rates in the film industry. Louisiana data for 2008 will be available in February, Havens said.
Major films shot in Louisiana this year include the Justin Timberlake and Jeff Bridges drama "The Open Road," "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt" with Michael Douglas and Jesse Metcalfe and "My Own Love Song" with Renee Zellweger and Forest Whitaker.
Along with set-shooting has come a rise in the amount of post-production work such as editing done in state, Stelly said.
"Post-production used to be almost exclusively done in Los Angeles because they wanted to be close to writers and editors. Technology is making it available to do almost anywhere."
Louisiana's growing infrastructure also is supporting post-production work, Stelly said.
It has six studios and soundstages in Shreveport, New Orleans and Baton Rouge and with at least one more on the way. Nu Image/Millennium Pictures recently announced plans to build a $10 million studio in Shreveport beginning next year.
With the infrastructure expansion has come growth in support services. One such business is Hollywood Trucks, a Baton Rouge-based company with a fleet of specialized vehicles used for hauling movie props and equipment.
The company opened its first office in Baton Rouge in February and expanded to New Orleans in September. A third office, in Shreveport, will open in early 2009, said Andre Champagne, one of the company's founders.
Champagne said his company had trucks on the sets of most of this year's projects, including "Welcome to the Rileys" with James Gandolfini and Kristen Stewart, "The Bad Lieutenant" with Nicholas Cage and "I Love You Phillip Morris" with Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor.
Before Hollywood Trucks entered the scene, most film companies brought in set trucks from other states, said Jennifer Day, director of the New Orleans Office of Film and Video. "That's money that's now staying in Louisiana."
Louisiana also is able to handle more productions at one time because of its growing infrastructure, Stelly said.
In 2004, the state could only handle about two or three film crews at any given time, he said, but it now can handle up to 10 film crews at once.
As industry competition increases, Bergman said, states will have to battle competition from other countries wooing movie makers with low-cost labor and incentives, among them Canada, Australia and New Zealand. "This is a growing industry on a global level."

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Google Hires NO Video Production Company for National Commerical

12.17.2008
Contact: Tim Ryan Tel: (504) 339-4350 Email: tim.ryan@newdigitalmediagroup.com

Google Hires New Orleans Video Production Company for National Commercial New Digital Media Group Finds a Niche During Economic Downturn December 15, 2008 - New Orleans, LA Google and Etc…Group Entertainment recently hired New Orleans-based digital media start-up New Digital Media Group to crew and shoot a national commercial for Google TV Ads, a flexible, all-digital system for buying TV advertising. The documentary-style commercial, currently in post-production, will feature Michael Hackey, CEO of ShoppersChoice.com, a Baton Rouge online retailer that has been building a national brand and online sales by using Google TV ads. New Digital Media Group was hired to provide equipment and production services including crew for camera, sound, lighting and make-up. New Digital Media Group producer Tim Ryan with the support of local independent filmmaker Jimmy Ferguson managed lighting and camera; and Baton Rouge sound recordist Hans van den Bold captured sound. New Orleans-based Ximena Frixione provided make-up services. “It’s quite an honor to be chosen by Google to produce a national advertisement. I think we’ve found a nice little niche in the digital media world by bringing in local talent to focus on affordable documentary-style commercials and Internet video productions,” says Tim Ryan, New Digital Media Group founder. “Being selected by THE global leader in digital media (and owner of You Tube) helps justify our decision to launch a new digital media business in New Orleans at the climax of an economic downturn.” About New Digital Media Group New Digital Media Group is a New Orleans-based boutique media company focused on digital video production and Internet video marketing. New Digital Media Group brings together some of New Orleans hottest young filmmakers to produce professional digital media in an affordable, timely and professional manner. For information on New Digital Media Group, visit www.newdigitalmediagroup.com. # # # For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview,


please call Tim Ryan at (504) 339-4350 or email tim.ryan@newdigitalmediagroup.com.

Filming in Louisiana December 22, 2008

Cop-Out Pre-Production Baton Rouge

The Courier Pre-Production Shreveport

Burning Palms Post Production Baton Rouge info@filmsinmotion.com

Prodigy, Pre-Production New Orleans leslie@independentmediainc.com

Acceptance (Wrapped) Shreveport Resumes 318-682-5671

Skateland, (Wrapped) skatelandproductions@gmail.com

Fight or Flight Filming Lafayette marquisprods@gmail.com

The Expendables, Pre-production, Shreveport LA, New Orleans?

ZombieLand, Pre-Production moved to Atlanta, Resumes by fax 337-706-8971

Treme, Pre-Production, New Orleans Resumes by fax(Hiring crew)410-986-0029

My Own Love Song, (Wrapped) myownlovesong08@gmail.com

Welcome to the Rileys, New Orleans (Wrapped)

Alabama Moon, Pre- Production New Orleans Resumes info@faulknerproductions.com

Midnight Bayou, Pre-Production (Wrapped)

Tribute, Pre-Production New Orleans Resumes gary@imagepictures.com

Football Documentary, Pre-Production New Orleans Resumes info@horizonent.tv

Night of the Demons, (Wrapped)

House of Bones, Pre-Production Lafayette Resumes by fax 337-706-8971Bullet Films staff for 2009: Sound Effects Editors Dialog Editors Re-recording mixers Colorists 2D Vfx Artists 3D Vfx Artists Web designers Graphic Artists/Concept Artists Assistant Editors Editors Composers Cinematographers Send Resumes to: jobs@bulletfilms.net

Camp Ranch, Post-Production Baton Rouge

Menage a Trois, Pre-Production New Orleans

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Currently Filming in Louisiana update December 17, 2008

Cop-Out Pre-Production Baton Rouge

Burning Palms Post Production Baton Rouge info@filmsinmotion.com

Prodigy, Pre-Production New Orleans leslie@independentmediainc.com

Acceptance Filming Shreveport Resumes 318-682-5671

Skateland, Filming Thru December 3, (Wrapped) skatelandproductions@gmail.com

Fight or Flight Filming Lafayette marquisprods@gmail.com

The Expendables, Pre-production, Shreveport LA, New Orleans?

ZombieLand, Pre-Production moved to Atlanta, Resumes by fax 337-706-8971

Treme, Pre-Production, New Orleans Resumes by fax(Hiring crew)410-986-0029

My Own Love Song, Filming New Orleans (Wrapped) myownlovesong08@gmail.com

Welcome to the Rileys, Pre-Production New Orleans (Wrapped)

Alabama Moon, Pre- Production New Orleans Resumes info@faulknerproductions.com

Midnight Bayou, Pre-Production New Orleans Resumes (Wrapped)

Tribute, Pre-Production New Orleans Resumes gary@imagepictures.com

Football Documentary, Pre-Production New Orleans Resumes info@horizonent.tv

Night of the Demons, Pre- ProductionNew Orleans (Wrapped)

House of Bones, Pre-Production Lafayette Resumes by fax 337-706-8971

Bullet Films staff for 2009: Sound Effects Editors Dialog Editors Re-recording mixers Colorists 2D Vfx Artists 3D Vfx Artists Web designers Graphic Artists/Concept Artists Assistant Editors Editors Composers Cinematographers Send Resumes to: jobs@bulletfilms.net

Camp Ranch, Post-Production Baton Rouge

Menage a Trois, Pre-Production New Orleans

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Hollywood's Favorite Cities


The Movie Biz
By Lauren Streib, 12.10.08, 01:00 PM EST


Hollywood has found new filming hubs in these urban locales. But the battle for the industry's business is expensive--and wasteful.
What do the upcoming feature films The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Hurricane Season and Final Destination 4 have in common? They were all filmed in New Orleans, La.
New Orleans was home to 20 film productions in 2008--up from 15 in 2007--with budgets totaling around $275 million. The city estimates that half of that sum was spent locally.

Fifteen hundred miles away is another regional center for film production. In 2008, at least 22 films were created in Albuquerque, N.M. Those productions, which include future big-budget releases Terminator Salvation and The Men Who Stare at Goats, earned the city $130 million.
It isn't art driving the decisions. It's commerce. "It used to be 'What does your city look like?' and now the first thing out of [producer's] mouth is 'what's your incentive?' " says Richard Moskal, director of the Chicago Film Office. "It's made us all very aggressive in our race to be the cheapest place around."
Adds Jennifer Day, the director of New Orleans Office of Film and Video: "The reasons these movies are here, bottom-line, is the incentive package."
But as the recession is fast eroding budgets for projects like roads and schools, many states may come to question how much states are getting in return for their largesse. The entertainment industry is seen as a huge boon to local economies, since productions offer everything from employment for local crew, extended says at nearby hotels and an immediate influx in population to support restaurant and retail businesses.

U.S. states have tried to take advantage of this fast and glamorous cash source in recent years by establishing tax credits and rebates to filmmakers who film in their state. Ten years ago, there were less than a handful of states that offered monetary incentives for filmmakers; now there are 43.

The cost for such competition is getting steeper, however, and the returns are questionable for some locales. Louisiana spent $76 million in revenue in 2007 from film credits, says the governor's Office of Film & Television. According to recent comments by chief economist for the Louisiana state legislature Greg Albrecht, about 25% of that was replaced with state tax revenue generated by the industry. Nonetheless, "We're in it for the long haul," says Chris Stelly, Louisiana's film commissioner.

Michigan, with the highest tax credit percentage at 42%, will receive an estimated $17.9 million in new taxes from the film incentive for this year. The state will net a $110 million loss this year from their credit initiative, a figure which will likely double in 2009, even as the state's budget deficit is expected to reach $600 million. The state's program offers tax credits for non-resident labor and has no cap on the amount of credits it can sell.
Dugg on Forbes.com

"You can be smart or you can be overly aggressive and be short-lived in this industry as a state film commissioner who wants to build up an infrastructure," says David Hutkin, a deputy managing director at Imperial Capital Bank who specializes in film financing. "Michigan is biting off more than they can chew. I get why they're doing it, I just don't think they can afford it."
For state revenues to benefit from film production, the rebates and credits offered need to be at least equal to state and sales taxes that negate the outflow of money. But states count indirect spending from tourism, increased revenue to low-income areas and building valuable infrastructure among the indirect monetary benefits to justify the losses. As well, the states are trying to fend off the threat of runaway productions, or projects that relocate to Canada and Europe in search of cheaper costs. This posed a greater risk before the introduction of the incentives.

The fiscal initiatives are more dangerous to state budgets now, as Hollywood has been forced to become increasingly money hungry. Lenders are more conservative, the foreign resale market is softer and traditional funding markets are drying up. State inducements are uniquely valuable as a form of soft money that can finance a film. While large productions inject large sums of money in short periods of time, it's unclear if the accompanying large economic concessions are really worthwhile to the states.

Some states are cutting back. Rhode Island put a $15 million cap on credits, and Florida cut the governor's film office budget by 80%. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels vetoed legislation offering 15% tax credit, but the state legislature overrode his veto. A recent legislative effort to cap the amount of credits Michigan gives at $50 million was unsupported.
"Film production is the economic flavor du jour right now but I don't know that it's such a good fit," says Eric Witt, director of media arts development for New Mexico's governor's office. "If you don't have the infrastructure, it's just money flowing out of your economy."

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Film companies seek crews for January 2009 as December production winds down for holidays



December 10, 2008 10:55AM


John Goodman stars in Alabama Moon, seen filming around town -- mainly on the North Shore -- wraps mid-December 2008.Local production is winding down for the holidays, with "day play" available on some of the productions contained in this month's job roster from the the Louisiana Department of Economic Development. The hottest gig to get on in January 2009 is HBO's Treme that is currently seeking crew only for this music-based series. Fax your resume directly to HBO at: (410) 986-0029. Faulkner McLain Entertainment's John Goodman-starrer, Alabama Moon, mostly shot on the North Shore wraps shortly while Bullet Films posts an all points bulletin for crew and post production personnel.

SAG Strike Would be Misguided by Patrick Goldstein

THE BIG PICTURE

By PATRICK GOLDSTEIN December 1, 2008

For years, people in Hollywood have casually dismissed the Screen Actors Guild as the craziest union in creation. Apparently, they weren't exaggerating. As my colleague Richard Verrier has reported, after getting nowhere during months of on-again, off-again talks with the studios, SAG has now opted to pursue a strike authorization vote from its 120,000 members. (The union has been working without a contract since June 30.) If this is meant as some kind of threat designed to drag the studios back to the negotiating table, SAG is even more deluded than anyone believed possible. SAG's goal is pretty obvious. The guild hopes that by getting a strike mandate from its membership -- a strike referendum requires 75% approval from members who cast ballots -- it can use the threat of a disruption of the Academy Awards to force studios to negotiate a better deal. But according to most insiders I have spoken to, no one takes the threat seriously -- they don't believe the strike will happen.

Why not?
1) As James Carville once famously said: It's the economy, stupid. As it is, most SAG members don't work regularly, at least not at acting. They've got real jobs, whether it's at Starbucks, waiting tables, doing construction, teaching or running small businesses. Whatever the gig, they know -- like the rest of us know -- that the economy is in the toilet. No one wants to risk losing the jobs they have that actually pay the bills. So, fewer people have the pie-in-the-sky attitude that usually fuels SAG strike votes from all those members who aren't working TV or film jobs. Normally they'd say, What have I got to lose by a strike? I'm not working anyway. But too many members are clinging to their side jobs, which has a sobering effect on anyone considering the value of a misguided strike.

2) I was a vocal supporter of the Writers Guild of America strike because I felt it was in the right. The writers weren't asking for the moon, and the studios, having boasted for so long about their profitability, had the money to give. But in the midst of a dire economic crisis, SAG is asking for concessions that no other union got in their negotiations last winter. They have been standing firm in seeking an increase in acting residuals from DVD sales, a demand that the studios will never agree to. It's foolhardy, not to mention unrealistic, to expect that SAG members will join the guild leadership in what is obviously a kamikaze mission.

3) The WGA was united. The actors are divided. On one flank they have AFTRA, a more conservative sister guild that is quietly poised to recruit more actors and gain more clout for future negotiations. On the other flank, they have a contingent, endorsed by such respected, high-profile SAG members as Tom Hanks, Alec Baldwin and Sally Field, who've made it clear that they want nothing to do with a suicidal strike in the midst of hard times. There are even more stars who haven't issued public declarations for the dissidents who privately support their cause. If necessary, the stars will exercise their clout, blitzing members with reminders of the folly of a showdown with the studios.

4) When the WGA went on strike, there was a true sense of solidarity with other guilds, notably SAG, based on the feeling that the studios had pushed things too far. In early negotiations, it looked as if what the studios really wanted was a rollback in residuals and other guild benefits. The WGA had the high moral ground. SAG today doesn't have similar support. The Writers Guild will surely offer soothing words of solidarity, but the true believers aren't there this time around. SAG will have to go it alone. But timing is everything. And you don't have to read a newspaper or watch TV to know that the timing for a Hollywood actors strike couldn't be worse. The WGA got tons of support from the media, not to mention regular Joes who identified with their cause. But with more people losing their jobs every day, SAG is about to discover that most people will view them as rebels without a cause.

patrick.goldstein @latimes.com

Currently Filming in Louisiana update for December 11,2008

Filming in Louisiana!



Cop-Out Pre-Production Baton Rouge

Burning Palms Post Production Baton Rouge info@filmsinmotion.com

Prodigy, Pre-Production New Orleans leslie@independentmediainc.com

Acceptance Filming Shreveport Resumes 318-682-5671

Skateland, Filming Thru December 3, Shreveport Resumes skatelandproductions@gmail.com

Fight or Flight Filming Lafayette marquisprods@gmail.com

The Expendables, Pre-production, Shreveport LA, New Orleans?

ZombieLand, Pre-Production Baton Rouge May have moved to Atlanta, Resumes by fax 337-706-8971

Treme, Pre-Production, New Orleans Resumes by fax(Hiring crew)410-986-0029

My Own Love Song, Filming New Orleans Resumes myownlovesong08@gmail.com

Welcome to the Rileys, Pre-Production New Orleans (Wrapped)

Alabama Moon, Pre- Production New Orleans Resumes info@faulknerproductions.com

Midnight Bayou, Pre-Production New Orleans Resumes (Wrapped)

Tribute, Pre-Production New Orleans Resumes gary@imagepictures.com

Football Documentary, Pre-Production New Orleans Resumes info@horizonent.tv

Night of the Demons, Pre- ProductionNew Orleans (Wrapped)

House of Bones, Pre-Production Lafayette Resumes by fax 337-706-8971

Bullet Films staff for 2009: Sound Effects Editors Dialog Editors Re-recording mixers Colorists 2D Vfx Artists 3D Vfx Artists Web designers Graphic Artists/Concept Artists Assistant Editors Editors Composers Cinematographers Send Resumes to: jobs@bulletfilms.net

Camp Ranch, Post-Production Baton Rouge

Menage a Trois, Pre-Production New Orleans

Friday, December 5, 2008

Josh Brolin, Jeffery Wright arraignment Postponed.






I am not an eloquent speaker and not a great writer but I can convey my opinions through my thoughts. I have heard one side and read the other and I do not want to pick sides in a story that should not even be getting a second look. Having said that, I do know this after speaking to the bartender who called the police and it seems that Jeffery Wright got way out of hand. It had nothing to do with a racial slur or because of his color but simply because he was being belligerent. The bartender who called the police was a female and she was being verbally abused by Mr. Wright. From what information I have gathered he was speaking to a bartender in a manner that was less than desirable and that he would not leave when she asked but instead he should call the chief of police because he would not leave until someone did. I heard also that he said words to the effect that he owned this city and he would not leave. This may be true and it may not be but when you are asked to leave a place of business and you do not you can be arrested. When the police arrived he was simply escorted out.

While this was going on another incident started with another bartender around the same time. Again, police were also called on behalf of the bartender needing assistance for a crew member being very unruly. Since the police were there for the first incident they had to get involved in the second. At that time another crew member had to be escorted out at about the same time. Once the people involved got outside things seem to get out of hand. This is where everything is very fuzzy but there are videos that will eventually clear those things up. I do know that there was pepper spray that had to be used and the dreaded taser. There is no reason to pick sides because eventually the tapes will be released and then anyone can form their own opinion.

I do not personally know Jeffery Wright or Josh Brolin but I do take offense to Brolin blaming the city of Shreveport as a whole. How is it a cities fault because he was arrested or got into a confrontation with the police? When he was arrested for spousal abuse in Los Angeles would it have been fair for him to blame the Los Angeles police? Everyone is responsible for his or her own actions. He was after all in a bar late at night drinking with other patrons who were drinking. I have spent many years hanging out in nightclubs and bars and I have seen my fair share of fights sometimes starting out of nothing and sometimes with good reason. It has nothing to do with Louisiana or Shreveport; it has to do with right or wrong. I do know that someone struck an officer or put their hand on one, so I can see where it would get out of hand. I know that the police do not take lightly assault and if you put your hand on an officer you are in violation of the law and you should be arrested. You have no right to ever put your hand on an officer and that is it. I know that if you are not in an incident with an officer and you interfere, even just talking to one during an incident may land you in jail too. All of these people had the opportunity to not get involved. Jeffery was escorted outside which would have been just that, an exit. The officers would have just told him to move along and not come back because he was not welcome. At that point the whole thing probably would have been over. For some reason because two people were asked to leave some 7 people got involved and ended up in jail. Really you can always point fingers but after your first drink you are at fault for anything else that goes wrong. If an officer asks you to leave, stop talking, step away or anything else you can be arrested if you do not. After you take that first drink you are now a person drinking in a bar and most likely have impaired thoughts and actions so you now really have no grounds to have any kind of confrontation with anyone for any reason without consequences.

As I said before you can not blame a city for your short comings. You also can not blame a bartender who is doing their job when they ask you to leave and you don’t. You do not have the right to be in a place of business, it is a privilege and they have the right to ask anyone to leave at anytime. After the dust settles on this minor problem, the truth should be told. A video on YouTube is worth a thousand words and anyone at that point will be able to form their own opinion. I am sure that their could have been a better outcome of this if there was no star involved. Please don’t blame the city for which you are in when you get arrested, go back and blame yourself. Maybe the police department could have handled it differently but also if someone would have left when they were asked there would have been no arrest. Every city has over zealous police officers and every city has their own laws that govern its people and businesses. Let both sides tell their story and then and only then form your own opinion to this minor incident which would not be a big deal at all if Brolin would stop answering every reporter who asks him about this incident.

Louisiana and Shreveport welcome the movie industry with open arms. It has been a blessing for this State. Just because a few people got into trouble for something it does not mean that we do not welcome the industry. There are thousands of employees in film that never have been in trouble and love filming here. Every week in Los Angeles stars get arrested for DUI, public Drunk, assault, murder and we do not give it a second thought but because a star is arrested in Shreveport for a mister meaner the whole city is corrupt and should be punished. Give me a break, it is a minor offense and again let the tapes come out and please form your own opinion if you even really care. Leave the acting to the actors and the policing to the police and we all can just get along.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Investment Pays off with Three movies Filmed in Central Louisiana!



By RT Morgan • rtmorgan@thetowntalk.com • October 23, 2008



http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081023/NEWS01/810230322


A $5,000 investment by the city of Alexandria helped lead to the filming of three major motion pictures within Central Louisiana -- "The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond," "My Own Love Song" and "Bonnie and Clyde."

"My Own Love Song," starring Renée Zellweger, is the most recent film the city was able to entice into the local area. Production, which began Oct. 13, is expected to last a few more days.
The film crew and Zellweger took advantage of the scenery at Buhlow Lake in Pineville on Wednesday.
During its time in Cenla, this particular film crew is expected to spend $140,000 a day in various needs and operations, according to Bill Hess, Alexandria's economic development director.
"And this comes directly from the film production, these are not our numbers," Hess said.
"They're going to be buying their food for their canteen that travels with the crew and cast here," he said. "They're going to be buying hardware, lumber, transportation needs, limo services.
"Even a small, low-budget production can be a million dollars and change. For a week's shot, I think that anybody would take that. ... That's about a $200,000 return."
One ace up the sleeve of Alexandria and other Louisiana cities is the state's tax credit program aimed at film and television productions. This includes advantages like no state fees or permits for filming ,and productions greater than $300,000 are eligible for a 25 percent tax credit of the base investment in Louisiana.
But what else enabled Alexandria to land three movies for such a small buy-in?
"All of these films resulted from the (American Film Market) in Santa Monica. ... So for a very small investment, once the city got behind this and pushed it, we were able to produce tangible results," Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy said.
The market is a trade conference that puts municipalities in touch with film professionals.
"So those people who are passing our booth are film producers, film directors, investors, location scouts. Anyone associated with television or the entertainment industry globally," Hess said.
It was at last year's market that Hess met location manager Wise Wolfe, who brought "My Own Love Song" to Central Louisiana.
"It is his job to find the appropriate locations that fit the script of the film," Hess said. "So he called me and said, 'Here's what we're looking for, here's the gist of the film.' ... Certainly, we did everything we could to have it shot in Alexandria ... but it turned out the locations were better for Pineville, Lecompte, Cheneyville and Bunkie.
"And that's why we call ourselves Central Louisiana In Film. This is not an individual effort"
Alexandria's presence at the American Film Market was made possible by contributions from other entities -- the Alexandria-Pineville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority and England Economic and Industrial Development District, all of which are members of the group Central Louisiana In Film along with the city.
These same entities will put up the $15,000 to pay Alexandria's way to the 2008 event, the same amount as for the 2007 event.
"This conference is not for Mr. Hess to go to (Los Angeles) and hang out with stars" Roy said. "You sit in a booth for in excess of eight hours a day, and you talk directly to people. ... Alexandria will invest about $5,000 this year in the film festival again."
"Bonnie and Clyde" is an upcoming film the city landed while at the market. Hess said that production is estimated at $15 million, with 60 percent of the filming set for Cenla.
"This is an investment that we want to continue to do" Roy said. "I think that we're showing some promise here.
"Now on the negative side of this, at some point, we have to decide how much more you put in it depending on what the governor and what happens with the state Legislature on these tax credits. If they phase out, we will be as attractive as our sites are."