Saturday, June 11, 2011

Know More About Louisiana Film Tax Credit

By George Harris


While Louisiana may offer a seemingly good deal in its -30% transferable incentive for total and state expenditures related to producing a motion picture, there can be found a few significant disadvantages in filming there compared to other states.

While tax incentives generate economic advantages to that specific state, secondary economic advantages also take place. One example is film induced tourism or FIT. However, Louisiana hosts numerous films, all of which have not increased or even experienced film induced tourism.

A number of other states in close proximity have both tax incentives and have been witnessing movie induced tourism for the past decade like Georgia and North Carolina. Although relatively ideal for a production with a rural or suburban setting, Louisiana is very well-known and does not have that "Anywhere, USA" adaptability that other cities say Atlanta or Wilmington have. Unlike Louisiana, North Carolina has beach locations that are comparable to that of California, minus the high Hollywood production cost. Moreover, travel in and out of Louisiana, specifically New Orleans, is not very easy, especially since Hurricane Katrina's devastation and the resulting infrastructural failures. Once more, Atlanta gives a really practical substitute for Louisiana, as Atlanta hosts the busiest airport in the country and also offers very flexible travel arrangements that any production officer could require. Plus, EUE/ Screen Gems, a well-known film and tv production company, are conveniently located six miles from Atlanta's Hartsfield- Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Louisiana has been hit hard by the recent economic depression as well as disasters, forcing numerous residents to move elsewhere. The output of the work force has proved to be unfavorable to the movie industry as many employees are now earning a living for other companies not based in Louisiana. With no convenient airport close by and a labor force that's been decreasing within the past few years, the movie industry in Louisiana isn't what it was in the past. Although major movies have been shot there, they're mostly computer animated and tv shows are leaning more towards the production sites in North Carolina and Georgia. Actually, EUE/ Screen Gems is now home to more than nine television programs this year, including a 9th Season of "One Tree Hill" that is presently being shot in Wilmington, North Carolina.

It is very essential to offer a versatile location for filming when choosing production studios to work with. As mentioned earlier, although Louisiana may provide cost-effective options through extensive tax incentives, it doesn't provide a convenient city location for filming. While New Orleans is definitely an exciting place full of culture, it's unique and recognizable, and really can't be used when searching for a "generic city" type feel. For that reason, if a film or television show needs urban scenes, it is likely that they'll have to travel to a close convenient city, raising production expenses with transportation expenses for stars, staff, as well as crew. This hassle looks avoidable when EUE/Screen Gems production studios in Wilmington, North Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia have the 2 biggest stages eastern side of California.




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