BATON ROUGE — A Senate committee has approved increasing the amount of tax credits available for filming movies in Louisiana despite a warning from an administration official.
The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee with a 7-3 vote approved SB245 by Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton. The bill increases the percentage of Louisiana expenditures that qualify for transferable tax credits from 25 percent to 30 percent.
The increase is estimated to cost the state another $20 million, which Cynthia Bridges, secretary of the state Department of Revenue and Taxation, cautioned "would require a corresponding reduction in expenditures." Bridges said there is money in the budget to renew the tax break at the current level.
Shreveport producer Lampton Enochs told the committee the increase is needed so the state can stay competitive. Georgia and Michigan have better credit offerings than Louisiana and are taking movies away from Louisiana.
He said he knows of "a film that was written for Shreveport, based in Shreveport and is being filmed in Atlanta" because Georgia offers 30 percent credits.
Last year, Louisiana had 20 films in production by this time but this year, there are only nine. By contract, Georgia, which had nine last year, now has 20.
Enochs said if the shift continues, the necessary staffing that has been building up in Louisiana could shift to Georgia and it would be "harder and harder for us to maintain the industry here."
Although the film industry is big business for Louisiana, the tax credits are actually a drain on state revenues, said Greg Albrecht, of the Legislative Fiscal Office. Last year, $100 million in credits were claimed and the state saw only $15 million in tax revenues.
Sherri McConnell, director of the state's entertainment office, acknowledged "the tax revenue break to the state is a negative" but it created about 6,000 jobs and brought large developments.
Adley summarized the conversation: "Other states have bumped it up. If we don't match it, they don't come here."
He said he was "a little surprised" because he was told that the state was getting $6 back for every $1 it invested.
"I never told the Legislature you'd get $6 back," Albrecht said. He said he participated in a study that found "there's $6 spending for every $1 you invested."
Few of the movie production companies cash in the credits because they don't spend that much in the state, Albrecht said. About $330 million was spent here and companies reported 6,000 "employment episodes" that he said can be short spurts of employment and one person could have several "episodes."
Instead, the movie companies sell the credits for a percentage of their worth to people or companies that owe taxes to the state and the purchasers get a break on taxes.
"The buyers of the paper are generally unrelated to the film industry," he said.
The bill is to be debated in the Senate.
By Mike Hasten • mhasten@gannett.com • May 27, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Shreveport Mayor Signs Local Film Tax Rebate
Mayor Cedric Glover of Shreveport signed a new local law today that will hopefully bring new productions into the Shreveport area. The tax rebate is for movies and television productions that can be worth between $150,000 and $175,000 per project.
With the signing of the new rebate Millennium Films announced the filming of Straw Dogs which should start in July. Also Millennium announced the filming of The Mechanic staring Jason Statham which will start production around June. Also, two other films are looking at the area with a strong chance of filling up Shreveport with productions throughout the summer months.
Shreveport has had a very slow start this year with only a little over 4 milllion dollars worth of productions for the first quarter of the year. That should change real soon with new productions lining up for the new tax rebate that Shreveport is offering.
Caddo Parish is looking into passing a parish wide incentive to keep more productions in the area for the future. If the Governor passes a increased statewide incentive Shreveport will have one of the most competitive incentives in the country which will even outdo Georgia's aggressive incentive that has caused many productions to pass Louisiana by for more savings. My hats off to Councilman Calvin Lestor who proposed the rebate, Mayor Cedric Glover and the City Council for backing the idea and signing it into law and Arlena Acree of the Shreveport Film Office.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Shreveport Passes Local Rebate for Film
The Shreveport City Council passed a sales tax incentives that covers Caddo Parish Louisiana. It will still have a few more channels to go through to put it in effect but it is a great step towards Shreveport showing true dedication to the future of the film industry.
The City of Shreveport offers economic incentives to the film industry in the form of rebates of sales taxes paid on lodging, lease, rental and other production expenditures made in City of Shreveport, including but not limited to sound stage or location leases and post production costs. I will have more to tell you as soon as the city finalizes the incentive.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Proposed tax rebate for City of Shreveport Set for Tuesday
Shreveport is working on adding additional tax incentives to the state incentive to entice movie productions to film more in Shreveport. Below is what is all about.
Councilman Calvin Lester of Shreveport will ask for a vote on this resolution on Tuesday, May 12. It would establish a local tax rebate. Let me know what you think. Our City Hall reporter Adam Kealoha Causey will be following up, so if you have any direct questions about City Council, email him at acausey@gannett.com. The full text of the resolution is below:
RESOLUTION NO. ___ of 2009
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT FILM INDUSTRY INCENTIVE POLICY AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
By: Councilman Lester
WHEREAS, the film industry represents a tremendous opportunity for economic development in the City of Shreveport, but is in a highly competitive field, and therefore to encourage growth, industry incentives are important.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, regular and legal session convened:
SECTION 1. That the following film industry incentive policy is hereby adopted, to read as follows:
FILM INDUSTRY INCENTIVES
1. Incentives
a. The City of Shreveport offers economic incentives to the film industry in the form of rebates of sales taxes paid on lodging, lease, rental and other production expenditures made in City of Shreveport, including but not limited to sound stage or location leases and post production costs.
b. For the purposes of this resolution, the term “film industry” shall include film and television productions, television commercials, and music videos.
c. Incentives are subject to the production company entering into a contract with the City of Shreveport relative to the incentive payments.
2. Incentive Funding Caps:
a. Basic Cap- $150,000.00 total to any individual project or production for new productions by a production company which has not previously received any City of Shreveport incentives.
b. Subsequent Productions- $165,000.00 for a production company which brings a subsequent production to the City of Shreveport within twelve months of completion of the prior project.
c. The funding cap shall be increased by $10,000 for productions which both have a production office in Caddo Parish and lease premises to be used as a soundstage in Caddo Parish.
3. Requirements for Rebate:
a. Production must either:
1. Have its production office located within Caddo Parish, or
2. Utilize a soundstage located within Caddo Parish, and;
b. Have acceptable expenditures of the type listed in paragraph 4, paid within Caddo Parish, amounting to at least $300,000.00.
c. In order to qualify for the enhanced subsequent production cap, both the original and the subsequent production must meet the criteria listed in 3.a. and 3.b.
4. a. Productions meeting the above requirements will be eligible for incentive payments equal to the City of Shreveport sales taxes paid on the following expenditures:
1. LODGING for cast and crew incurred in the City of Shreveport.
2. LEASE OR RENTAL EXPENSES, including all lease or rental expenses for equipment, automobiles, sound stage, location or production offices paid for a site in the City of Shreveport.
3. OTHER PRODUCTION AND POST PRODUCTION EXPENSES, including purchases of materials and supplies, related to the production of the project and post production.
b. For the purposes of this section, the term “City of Shreveport sales taxes” means sales taxes levied by the City of Shreveport, excluding the portion of the sales taxes dedicated by law or debt obligations to another purpose.
c. Payment and eligibility for incentives shall be subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as determined by the City of Shreveport Film Office.
5. Application process
a. Upon executing a lease or rental agreement, applicant should contact the City of Shreveport Film Office to begin the prequalification process. Film industry incentives are administered by, and all determinations of eligibility will be made by, the City of Shreveport Film Office.
b. The application shall include all information required by the City of Shreveport Film Office, including but not limited to:
1. Total projected budget,
2. Estimated total of expenditures eligible for the sales tax rebate,
3. Estimated room nights,
4. List of vendors and services likely to be utilized.
c. If the application is approved by the City of Shreveport Film Office, the production company shall enter into an agreement with the City of Shreveport for the incentive payments.
d. When the production efforts in the City of Shreveport are completed, applicant may apply for payment. Payment must be requested no later than 180 days from the completion of production. Payment will be made after the city has reviewed and, if necessary, audited the expenses in the application.
e. Payment of incentives is subject to funding as follows. The City of Shreveport will appropriate funds for incentive payments in an amount determined by the City Council and adopted in a budget ordinance. The Mayor will be authorized to execute agreements for incentive payments up to the amount of the incentives authorized herein, until all appropriated funds have been expended or encumbered by the exeution of agreements. Once funds appropriated in a fiscal year have been expended or encumbered, no further incentive agreements will be executed for that fiscal year, unless additional funds are appropriated for that purpose. In the event an agreement is entered into for a production extending into a future fiscal year, the agreement will include a non-appropriation clause, making incentive payments in future years for that production subject to the appropriation of funds for that purpose.
f. This incentive program applies to expenditures in the City of Shreveport for productions begun after the effective date of these provisions. For the purposes of the enhanced, subsequent cap, the original production may have already begun, but must still be on-going, at the time of the adoption of these provisions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution shall become effective after a budget ordinance has been adopted appropriating the funds for the incentive payments, and a resolution has been adopted authorizing the Mayor to execute agreements for the incentive payments.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision of this resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
Approved as to legal form:
_____________________
City Attorney’s Office
Councilman Calvin Lester of Shreveport will ask for a vote on this resolution on Tuesday, May 12. It would establish a local tax rebate. Let me know what you think. Our City Hall reporter Adam Kealoha Causey will be following up, so if you have any direct questions about City Council, email him at acausey@gannett.com. The full text of the resolution is below:
RESOLUTION NO. ___ of 2009
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT FILM INDUSTRY INCENTIVE POLICY AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
By: Councilman Lester
WHEREAS, the film industry represents a tremendous opportunity for economic development in the City of Shreveport, but is in a highly competitive field, and therefore to encourage growth, industry incentives are important.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Shreveport, in due, regular and legal session convened:
SECTION 1. That the following film industry incentive policy is hereby adopted, to read as follows:
FILM INDUSTRY INCENTIVES
1. Incentives
a. The City of Shreveport offers economic incentives to the film industry in the form of rebates of sales taxes paid on lodging, lease, rental and other production expenditures made in City of Shreveport, including but not limited to sound stage or location leases and post production costs.
b. For the purposes of this resolution, the term “film industry” shall include film and television productions, television commercials, and music videos.
c. Incentives are subject to the production company entering into a contract with the City of Shreveport relative to the incentive payments.
2. Incentive Funding Caps:
a. Basic Cap- $150,000.00 total to any individual project or production for new productions by a production company which has not previously received any City of Shreveport incentives.
b. Subsequent Productions- $165,000.00 for a production company which brings a subsequent production to the City of Shreveport within twelve months of completion of the prior project.
c. The funding cap shall be increased by $10,000 for productions which both have a production office in Caddo Parish and lease premises to be used as a soundstage in Caddo Parish.
3. Requirements for Rebate:
a. Production must either:
1. Have its production office located within Caddo Parish, or
2. Utilize a soundstage located within Caddo Parish, and;
b. Have acceptable expenditures of the type listed in paragraph 4, paid within Caddo Parish, amounting to at least $300,000.00.
c. In order to qualify for the enhanced subsequent production cap, both the original and the subsequent production must meet the criteria listed in 3.a. and 3.b.
4. a. Productions meeting the above requirements will be eligible for incentive payments equal to the City of Shreveport sales taxes paid on the following expenditures:
1. LODGING for cast and crew incurred in the City of Shreveport.
2. LEASE OR RENTAL EXPENSES, including all lease or rental expenses for equipment, automobiles, sound stage, location or production offices paid for a site in the City of Shreveport.
3. OTHER PRODUCTION AND POST PRODUCTION EXPENSES, including purchases of materials and supplies, related to the production of the project and post production.
b. For the purposes of this section, the term “City of Shreveport sales taxes” means sales taxes levied by the City of Shreveport, excluding the portion of the sales taxes dedicated by law or debt obligations to another purpose.
c. Payment and eligibility for incentives shall be subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as determined by the City of Shreveport Film Office.
5. Application process
a. Upon executing a lease or rental agreement, applicant should contact the City of Shreveport Film Office to begin the prequalification process. Film industry incentives are administered by, and all determinations of eligibility will be made by, the City of Shreveport Film Office.
b. The application shall include all information required by the City of Shreveport Film Office, including but not limited to:
1. Total projected budget,
2. Estimated total of expenditures eligible for the sales tax rebate,
3. Estimated room nights,
4. List of vendors and services likely to be utilized.
c. If the application is approved by the City of Shreveport Film Office, the production company shall enter into an agreement with the City of Shreveport for the incentive payments.
d. When the production efforts in the City of Shreveport are completed, applicant may apply for payment. Payment must be requested no later than 180 days from the completion of production. Payment will be made after the city has reviewed and, if necessary, audited the expenses in the application.
e. Payment of incentives is subject to funding as follows. The City of Shreveport will appropriate funds for incentive payments in an amount determined by the City Council and adopted in a budget ordinance. The Mayor will be authorized to execute agreements for incentive payments up to the amount of the incentives authorized herein, until all appropriated funds have been expended or encumbered by the exeution of agreements. Once funds appropriated in a fiscal year have been expended or encumbered, no further incentive agreements will be executed for that fiscal year, unless additional funds are appropriated for that purpose. In the event an agreement is entered into for a production extending into a future fiscal year, the agreement will include a non-appropriation clause, making incentive payments in future years for that production subject to the appropriation of funds for that purpose.
f. This incentive program applies to expenditures in the City of Shreveport for productions begun after the effective date of these provisions. For the purposes of the enhanced, subsequent cap, the original production may have already begun, but must still be on-going, at the time of the adoption of these provisions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution shall become effective after a budget ordinance has been adopted appropriating the funds for the incentive payments, and a resolution has been adopted authorizing the Mayor to execute agreements for the incentive payments.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any provision of this resolution or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, items or applications of this resolution which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items or applications and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared severable.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
Approved as to legal form:
_____________________
City Attorney’s Office
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
A message from Susie Labry about Louisiana Tax Incentives
UPDATE as of May 5 Some bills were filed and I added to this site.
There is widespread consensus and support of HB862 by Rep. Gallot and SB245 by Sen. Adley to increase tax credits to 30% for Production, 10% for Louisiana Workers, NO SUNSETS, NO SCALEDOWNS.
We are asking all to contact their State Representative and State Senator and Governor to support HB862 and SB245 and to tell them in a short paragraph how the movie industry effected you, your family and friends and community. I have set up below to make it easy to track legislation, etc. Any questions, please email me at lasunshinebr@yahoo.com or call me at 225-235-7879 or find me on Facebook.
To All in Louisiana Film Industry, Theater Live Performance Industry, Video/Digital Industry, Music Industry
The Legislature 2009 Tracking Legislation Regarding Louisiana Film, Video, Music, Entertainment IndustryTAX INCENTIVES
***
Legislative Websitehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/www.legis.state.la.us/
House of Representativeshttp://house.louisiana.gov/house.louisiana.gov/
House of Representatives Live Video on Day of Live Video.http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Video/Hse_Video_Today.htmhouse.louisiana.gov/H_Video/Hse_Video_Today.htm
House Ways & Means Committeehttp://house.louisiana.gov/H_Cmtes/H_CMTE_WM.asphouse.louisiana.gov/H_Cmtes/H_CMTE_WM.asp
House Ways & Means Committee Contact Info.http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Cmtes/H_Cmte_WMaddresses.asphouse.louisiana.gov/H_Cmtes/H_Cmte_WMaddresses.asp
House of Representatives Ways & Means Agendahttp://house.louisiana.gov/H_Sched/Hse_Sched_Today.htmhouse.louisiana.gov/H_Sched/Hse_Sched_Today.htm
***
Louisiana Senatehttp://senate.legis.state.la.us/default.aspsenate.legis.state.la.us/default.asp
Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committeehttp://senate.legis.state.la.us/Revenue&Fiscal/Default.aspsenate.legis.state.la.us/Revenue&Fiscal/Default.asp
Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee Members and Contact Infohttp://senate.legis.state.la.us/Revenue&Fiscal/Assignments.aspsenate.legis.state.la.us/Revenue&Fiscal/Assignments.asp
Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Live Videohttp://senate.legis.state.la.us/Revenue&Fiscal/Archives/video.htmsenate.legis.state.la.us/Revenue&Fiscal/Archives/video.htm
Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Agendahttp://senate.legis.state.la.us/committees/MeetingSchedule.htmsenate.legis.state.la.us/committees/MeetingSchedule.htm
and
Senate Committee Scheduleshttp://senate.legis.state.la.us/committees/Schedule.htmsenate.legis.state.la.us/committees/Schedule.htm
***
For Live VideosFor Live Video RealPlayer Real1 Required.Download RealPlayer RealOne for Freehttp://www.download.com/RealPlayer/3000-13632_4-10073040.html?cdlPid=10782379
***
The GovernorBobby Jindalhttp://www.gov.state.la.us/www.gov.state.la.us/Email the Governorhttp://www.gov.la.gov/index.cfm?md=form&tmp=email_governorwww.gov.la.gov/index.cfm?md=form&tmp=email_governor
***
THE BILLS
Acrobat Reader Required to Read the BillsDownlaod Acrobat Reader for Freehttp://get.adobe.com/reader/get.adobe.com/reader/
House Bills
HB31 by Rep. LopintoHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=636825
HB142 by Rep. HenryHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=639549
HB213 by Rep. TalbotHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=640983
HB272 by Rep. RichmondHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=641880
HB450 by Rep. KatzHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=643569
HB458 by Rep. TalbotHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=643608
HB475 by Rep. GreeneHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=644043
HB614 by Rep. MonicaHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=645130
HB693 by Rep. GreeneHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=645558
HB735 by Rep. MonicaHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=645912
HB789 by Rep. GreeneHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=646238
HB798 by Rep. CarterHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=646258
HB811 by Rep. TalbotHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/byinst.asp?sessionid=09RS&billid=HB811
HB862 by Rep. GallotHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=648491
***
Senate Bills
SB 123 by Sen. MichotSenate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=643966
SB159 by Sen. MarionneauxSenate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=644794
SB160 by Sen. MarionneauxSenate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=647423
SB245 by Sen. AdleySenate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=645841
SB277 by Sen. DuplessisSenate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=646315
SB287 by Sen. MartinySenate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=646471
There is widespread consensus and support of HB862 by Rep. Gallot and SB245 by Sen. Adley to increase tax credits to 30% for Production, 10% for Louisiana Workers, NO SUNSETS, NO SCALEDOWNS.
We are asking all to contact their State Representative and State Senator and Governor to support HB862 and SB245 and to tell them in a short paragraph how the movie industry effected you, your family and friends and community. I have set up below to make it easy to track legislation, etc. Any questions, please email me at lasunshinebr@yahoo.com or call me at 225-235-7879 or find me on Facebook.
To All in Louisiana Film Industry, Theater Live Performance Industry, Video/Digital Industry, Music Industry
The Legislature 2009 Tracking Legislation Regarding Louisiana Film, Video, Music, Entertainment IndustryTAX INCENTIVES
***
Legislative Websitehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/www.legis.state.la.us/
House of Representativeshttp://house.louisiana.gov/house.louisiana.gov/
House of Representatives Live Video on Day of Live Video.http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Video/Hse_Video_Today.htmhouse.louisiana.gov/H_Video/Hse_Video_Today.htm
House Ways & Means Committeehttp://house.louisiana.gov/H_Cmtes/H_CMTE_WM.asphouse.louisiana.gov/H_Cmtes/H_CMTE_WM.asp
House Ways & Means Committee Contact Info.http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Cmtes/H_Cmte_WMaddresses.asphouse.louisiana.gov/H_Cmtes/H_Cmte_WMaddresses.asp
House of Representatives Ways & Means Agendahttp://house.louisiana.gov/H_Sched/Hse_Sched_Today.htmhouse.louisiana.gov/H_Sched/Hse_Sched_Today.htm
***
Louisiana Senatehttp://senate.legis.state.la.us/default.aspsenate.legis.state.la.us/default.asp
Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committeehttp://senate.legis.state.la.us/Revenue&Fiscal/Default.aspsenate.legis.state.la.us/Revenue&Fiscal/Default.asp
Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee Members and Contact Infohttp://senate.legis.state.la.us/Revenue&Fiscal/Assignments.aspsenate.legis.state.la.us/Revenue&Fiscal/Assignments.asp
Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Live Videohttp://senate.legis.state.la.us/Revenue&Fiscal/Archives/video.htmsenate.legis.state.la.us/Revenue&Fiscal/Archives/video.htm
Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Agendahttp://senate.legis.state.la.us/committees/MeetingSchedule.htmsenate.legis.state.la.us/committees/MeetingSchedule.htm
and
Senate Committee Scheduleshttp://senate.legis.state.la.us/committees/Schedule.htmsenate.legis.state.la.us/committees/Schedule.htm
***
For Live VideosFor Live Video RealPlayer Real1 Required.Download RealPlayer RealOne for Freehttp://www.download.com/RealPlayer/3000-13632_4-10073040.html?cdlPid=10782379
***
The GovernorBobby Jindalhttp://www.gov.state.la.us/www.gov.state.la.us/Email the Governorhttp://www.gov.la.gov/index.cfm?md=form&tmp=email_governorwww.gov.la.gov/index.cfm?md=form&tmp=email_governor
***
THE BILLS
Acrobat Reader Required to Read the BillsDownlaod Acrobat Reader for Freehttp://get.adobe.com/reader/get.adobe.com/reader/
House Bills
HB31 by Rep. LopintoHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=636825
HB142 by Rep. HenryHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=639549
HB213 by Rep. TalbotHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=640983
HB272 by Rep. RichmondHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=641880
HB450 by Rep. KatzHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=643569
HB458 by Rep. TalbotHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=643608
HB475 by Rep. GreeneHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=644043
HB614 by Rep. MonicaHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=645130
HB693 by Rep. GreeneHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=645558
HB735 by Rep. MonicaHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=645912
HB789 by Rep. GreeneHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=646238
HB798 by Rep. CarterHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=646258
HB811 by Rep. TalbotHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/byinst.asp?sessionid=09RS&billid=HB811
HB862 by Rep. GallotHouse Ways & Means Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=648491
***
Senate Bills
SB 123 by Sen. MichotSenate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=643966
SB159 by Sen. MarionneauxSenate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=644794
SB160 by Sen. MarionneauxSenate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=647423
SB245 by Sen. AdleySenate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=645841
SB277 by Sen. DuplessisSenate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=646315
SB287 by Sen. MartinySenate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committeehttp://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=646471
Monday, April 27, 2009
What is Filming in Louisiana For April/May 2009
Here is what is going on in Louisiana for April and May of 2009.
The Expendables filming in New Orleans: theexpendablesmovie@gmail.com
Inventing Adam Pre-Production in Baton Rouge: jarred@redpictures.org
Jonah Hex is filming in New Orleans: jonahhexnola@gmail.com
Leonie is filming in New Orleans: leoniemovie@gmail.com
The Imagination Movers is filming in New Orleans: imaginationmovers1@earthlink.net
Wrong Side of Town is filming in Baton Rouge: info@filmsinmotion.com
Standoff is filming in Baton Rouge: info@mostwantedfilms.com
Kiss the Bride is filming in Baton Rouge: info@mostwantedfilms.com
Dead of Night is filming in New Orleans: (504) 267‐9051
Roadkill is in Pre-Production, No Location: roadkillresumes@gmail.com
True Blood is in Pre-Production in Baton Rouge: truebloodbr@gmail.com
Jaws of the Mississippi is in Pre-Production in Lafayette: jobs@bulletfilms.net
Stormbringer is in Pre-Production in Lafayette: jobs@bulletfilms.net
Video Girl is filming in Baton Rouge: info@mostwantedfilms.com
Punishment is in Pre-Production in New Orleans: punishment@rocketmail.com
Jar People is Pre Production in New Orleans: jarpeople@gmail.com
Bed and Breakfast is in Pre-Production in Baton Rouge: info@mostwantedfilms.com
Cotton is in Pre-Production in New Orleans: cottonfilm@gmail.com
The Expendables filming in New Orleans: theexpendablesmovie@gmail.com
Inventing Adam Pre-Production in Baton Rouge: jarred@redpictures.org
Jonah Hex is filming in New Orleans: jonahhexnola@gmail.com
Leonie is filming in New Orleans: leoniemovie@gmail.com
The Imagination Movers is filming in New Orleans: imaginationmovers1@earthlink.net
Wrong Side of Town is filming in Baton Rouge: info@filmsinmotion.com
Standoff is filming in Baton Rouge: info@mostwantedfilms.com
Kiss the Bride is filming in Baton Rouge: info@mostwantedfilms.com
Dead of Night is filming in New Orleans: (504) 267‐9051
Roadkill is in Pre-Production, No Location: roadkillresumes@gmail.com
True Blood is in Pre-Production in Baton Rouge: truebloodbr@gmail.com
Jaws of the Mississippi is in Pre-Production in Lafayette: jobs@bulletfilms.net
Stormbringer is in Pre-Production in Lafayette: jobs@bulletfilms.net
Video Girl is filming in Baton Rouge: info@mostwantedfilms.com
Punishment is in Pre-Production in New Orleans: punishment@rocketmail.com
Jar People is Pre Production in New Orleans: jarpeople@gmail.com
Bed and Breakfast is in Pre-Production in Baton Rouge: info@mostwantedfilms.com
Cotton is in Pre-Production in New Orleans: cottonfilm@gmail.com
Monday, April 13, 2009
Where are the Film Productions for Shreveport?
Where are the Film Productions for Shreveport?
By Christopher Moore
Trying to be patient for work to come to Shreveport is much like waiting for the Titanic to sink. You know its coming, but do you go down with the ship, or do you swim for the life boats?
We are in Mid April moving fast into May and up here in the North nothing is happening. Researching the Internet, reading Production Weekly, and IMDB I see plenty of productions in New Orleans in the form of 9 on the ground and 2 in Baton Rouge, Lafayette has 3 and Shreveport 0. Zero is a hard number to swallow when you are trying to feed yourself. The options are not too easy to deal with either. You can follow the work which is an industry standard but it is much harder to get a job in a city which you do not live. You can wait out the drought but at what cost, bankruptcy? The point is that this is a tough time for all if you work in the North for film in Louisiana.
There is a question of the tax incentives and the fate that lands in the hand of the Governor Bobby Jindal and Legislators. Will we continue to be competitive or will we fall to the way side? I do not know the Governors opinion but I have heard that he intends on keeping the 25% tax incentives rolling for an additional 2 years and decreasing after that year to year. State Representatives state that they would be happy to back anything that film professionals could prove had a reasonable rate of return. Not increasing the incentives to 30% or even as high as 40% would secure us as the leaders outside of Hollywood. Keeping at the 25% that we have presently just makes us exist. That is a big problem because that will not keep us competitive with other states like Georgia, and Michigan and it seals the fate two years down the line by decreasing our incentives.
The economy has an effect on the industry as well. Entertainment as a whole is not suffering as much as production work. People spend money on entertainment when the economy is bad but the real problem lies in that production companies who make films are having trouble finding funding to make films. Shreveport lost a Bruce Willis film due to funding and “The Courier” seems to be on hold for the same reason.
The competitive nature of the industry is a real an issue. As Louisiana started the incentives in 2002 they were the only ones really offering tax breaks. Now over 40 states offer some sort of incentive with Georgia, New Mexico and Michigan are direct competition with Louisiana. Georgia seems to be the biggest threat considering they have a metropolitan city which is easy to get to, a large crew base and plenty of studios to work in. There will always be competition which is the nature of the beast but making your state stand out is what Louisiana needs to do to keep in the fore front.
Unfortunately what seems logical of advancing the incentives to 30% which would make our state the most competitive state along with Georgia in the country only under the State of Michigan? Michigan has a huge incentive which can not be beat but, Michigan does not have the crew base and the weather plays a factor there continuously. Louisiana has thousands of crew members all of which will be effected by the incentive decision. Many jobs depend on a positive decision by lawmakers. It is hard to think that the only way to stay competitive and keep crews working through the incentive but it is the reality of the production companies chasing the best deals. The State of Louisiana just released a study that claims that for every dollar spent on incentives the state had a return of $6.64. I know it is simple in it’s infancy but if I could spend $1 dollar and get a return of $6.64 I could not loose.
With all of that being said, where are the productions? I recently sent a letter to the Mayor and City Council members of Shreveport and asked them the same question along with the question of where do they stand with the incentives? I fully expected most of them to answer me with a few statistics and maybe the answer that they agree or disagree about the future of the incentives. What I got instead was an email from the Mayor telling me that they were doing plenty of things to increase the cities productions. Unfortunately he did not state one single instance where something positive is here or coming in the next month. It seems funny to me but it is almost like a secret society of what goes on in film here. It is an uneasy feeling when your job depends on the city and the state to make the right decisions and yet you have no idea of what that might be.
I only received one reply from a city council member and that would be City councilman Calvin Lester. He stated he had been researching with city officials and Parish Commissioners on methods to make Shreveport more marketable but did not state what that might be. He also stated that they were researching additional tax incentives which seem like a great idea. He stated again that they were researching ways to bring high end music and video productions as well as post production to the area. All of this is great and shows that the city may be working towards something in the future but research does not pay the bills. My concern is what about productions right now for the City of Shreveport? Where are the productions for April, May, and June and how will crew members survive while they city is researching the ideas of bring more post production, music videos, and local incentives?
I am watching crew members leave in droves taking with them their money they spend locally. They are moving South so they can work and moving to other states while Shreveport is really at a stand still as far as productions go. Crews are now making permanent residences in other cities which mean our crew base is dwindling too. While everyone is researching and talking about what could be done I really want to know about what is being done right now? I do not have the answer and it seems that no one else is willing to fill anyone in on what may or may not be going on in the city.
I recently got a break in the form of the tax incentives meeting at the Independence Stadium. I thought now finally, my questions would be answered. I took notes and could not wait for the meeting. It was a great turn out and there were over 150 people who attended from all parts of the film industry. There were producers, caterers, and crew members, union member’s studio heads along with the Mayor, the head of the film office, state legislators and State representatives but again where was the city council?
The Mayor started out with a short speech and then he passed the microphone to the audience. The questions started out with one person after another asking the same question. Where are the films for Shreveport? The answer was simply, we need to worry about the tax incentives and then the city will in turn have more movies. This seemed to be a slap in the face again for all crew members who are already going broke waiting for films. The answer that the city had for everyone is simply, don’t worry? There is no need to worry about films in Shreveport because if the state does not pass a better incentive we will not have films here anyway. So the message is, without the incentives, there is no film for Shreveport. I feel much better now that I know there are no films in Shreveport; they are waiting for a better incentive.
New Orleans film office says business is great which is great for the state but it does not help the crew members who would like to stay in Shreveport keep the crew base here. New Orleans has plenty of productions moving forward down south. The overlook for the state hinges on the incentives and the increasing of those incentives. Increasing the incentives would secure filming in Louisiana for the future. Adding together all the issues the state has, we still don’t have an answer for Shreveport films. So where are the films?
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