After dealing with the effects of the pandemic and the recent actors' and writers' strikes, Hollywood South executives are hoping that 2024 will bring renewed success--and more jobs--to the Louisiana film industry.
Local film industry officials say a tax break offered by the state government may help the Hollywood South rebound.
"We're really working towards how we can build more production into the state here," said Jason Waggenspack, the new president of the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association.
Waggenspack says the new law keeping film tax credits on the books for a few more years will help attract production companies to Hollywood South. In fact, Waggenspack says those tax credits have already enticed film producers to all corners of the state.
"We're out until 2031 with out tax credits right now to allow for productions to really find a way to get in here and build some roots here and see more of those jobs and those lucrative jobs being available to people--for our residents," Waggenspack said. "We've found a lot of great companies that have come to Louisiana. AMC, which has come here with Mayfair Witches and Interview with a Vampire, has really kind of set up roots here. We're finding a lot of great companies that are interested. If you look at Shreveport, Louisiana, '50 Cent'--Curtis Jackson--is setting up shop there right now to bring a lot of his productions into the state."
Waggenspack attributes part of Hollywood South's recent success to the state legislature and the governor's office.
"We've had 75 percent of the body vote for us in the last 10 years for what it was we were trying to construct and create and obviously grow in this industry," Waggenspack said.
Waggenspack adds that he and other film executives are getting to know Governor-elect Jeff Landry and incoming lawmakers... and educating them on the state's film economy.
