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05/11 - Lights, Camera, Louisiana!

Who profits from filmmaking in the state? (Battle: Los Angeles - Photo by RICHARD CARTWRIGHT/Columbia Pictures)

Battle: Los Angeles - Photo by RICHARD CARTWRIGHT/Columbia Pictures

Thanks to special tax incentives, Louisiana has become one of the most popular locations in the country for film and television production. More than 300 movies and TV shows have been shot in the state over the last ten years, generating a reported $1.5 billion in economic activity. But some analysts say the benefits of film tax credits are overstated and they often don’t even pay for themselves. Explore who profits from filmmaking in the state on “Lights, Camera, Louisiana!” Wednesday, May 25th at 7 p.m. on Louisiana Public Square.

Backgrounder

While Louisiana’s rich culture and unique history has always attracted its share of films, film production has now become a major industry in the state. In 2002, Louisiana was the first state in the country to enact motion picture tax credit legislation. Then state Senator Jay Dardenne and former state Representative Steve Scalise shepherded passage of the “Louisiana Motion Picture Incentive Act” setting up a film tax incentive program. Since the legislation was passed, nearly 500 movies and television shows have been filmed in Louisiana. Productions in 2010 alone, according to a recent Louisiana Economic Development Report, created an economic impact of $1.1 billion.

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