Dear all,
There are two bills currently being sponsored that increase the production incentive to 30%. These are:
House Bill No 862 being sponsored by Rick Gallot
Senate Bill No 245 sponsored by Robert Adley
Please join the lobbying effort to insure that these bills get passed.
It is imperative that film industry members, supporters, vendors and everyone who understands the economic impact of our industry contact their local legislators and ask for their support for these bills. If you do not know who your local legislators are, you can find out at the Louisiana State Legislature website: http://www.legis.state.la.us/
Below, you will find some important facts and talking points about the economic impact of the industry which support this effort.
Additionally, please add your name to the petition supporting these bills. You can find the petition at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveloufilms
Finally, below are members of the House Ways and Means Committee â€" these legislators are especially key to our lobbying efforts:
| Name | Position | District | Party |
| Greene, Hunter | Chairman | 66 | R |
| Smith, Jane H. | Vice Chair | 8 | R |
| Baldone, Damon J. | Member | 53 | D |
| Barras, Taylor F. | Member | 48 | D |
| Burrell, Roy | Member | 2 | D |
| Carter, Stephen F. | Member | 68 | R |
| Danahay, Michael E. | Member | 33 | D |
| Guillory, Mickey J. | Member | 41 | D |
| Henry, Cameron | Member | 82 | R |
| Hoffmann, Frank A. | Member | 15 | R |
| Honey, Avon | Member | 63 | D |
| Jackson III, Girod | Member | 87 | D |
| Nowlin, Rickey L. | Member | 23 | R |
| Perry, Jonathan W. | Member | 47 | R |
| Richard, Jerome | Member | 55 | I |
| Richmond, Cedric | Member | 101 | D |
| Ritchie, Harold L. | Member | 75 | D |
| Robideaux, Joel C. | Member | 45 | I |
| Templet, Ricky J. | Member | 85 | R |
PLEASE SUPPORT HB 862 and SB 245
The economic impact study completed by Economics Research Associates â€" commissioned by the Louisiana
Economic Development Department â€" presents ample evidence to support the success of the film industry incentive
program. These numbers clearly bolster the argument to increase our production incentive to 30% to remain
competitive.
These are the facts:
1. In 2007, the year that $115 million in tax credits were paid, the economic impact to the State of the
industry as a whole was $763 million.
2. Employment in Louisiana's film industry increased at a compound annual growth rate of 22 percent
from 2001-2007. This compares to a national growth rate of 1.8 percent annually. Wages have
increase at an average annual rate of 8.2%, much faster than inflation.
3. In 2007, the total spend of the film industry in Louisiana supported 3,310 jobs directly and an
additional 2,920 jobs indirectly. That is 6,230 jobs in Louisiana created because of the film incentive
program.
4. In 2007, the total value added to the Louisiana economy as a result of qualified spending on motion
picture productions was $303.1 million.
5. According to the most recent MPAA economic impact report, the film industry currently provides 2.5
million American jobs with an average salary of $74,700. That is $41 billion in wages to American
workers, $13 billion in income and sales taxes and $13 billion in trade surplus.
ERA goes on to point out several significant indirect impacts of film production â€" those impacts that are not
immediately evidenced by economic data:
1. "Perhaps the most notable secondary impact associated with film production in increased tourism. An
exported film product helps to sell the culture." Isn't this especially notable in a State which is so
dependent upon the tourism industry? Especially as tourism has suffered so significantly from a
series of debilitating hurricanes?
2. Infrastructure impacts â€" "film production occasionally creates infrastructure that is left behind for
future utilization". IE, the wave pool left by Disney, the Year One set left by Sony â€" these were
incredibly expensive pieces of infrastructure paid for by studios and left to be re-utilized on future
projects â€" they represent many millions of dollars in capital investment.
3. Creation of Industry Clusters â€" "There is a strong, statistically significant correlation between vibrant
and creative city milieus and the presence of high-paying knowledge intensive industries. …
Here is another fact: we are losing the film industry in Louisiana:
1. According to the Louisiana Film Office, last April there were 20 projects prepping and filming in
Louisiana. This April there were 6.
2. There are no projects currently shooting in Shreveport, one ultra low budget feature shooting in Baton
Rouge and five projects shooting in New Orleans.
3. According to local union representatives, local producers and production companies, there are "no
projects in the pipeline" for Louisiana at this point. That includes New Orleans, Baton Rouge,
Lafayette and Shreveport. NO PROJECTS ON BOARD FOR LOUISIANA.
4. Between them, Michigan and Georgia have approximately 30 films prepping, shooting or slated to
start. 20 in Georgia alone.
"Maintaining" the film incentives is basically telling the studios, independent producers, vendors and film industry
workers that it is over in Louisiana. That means a loss of $300 million in total value added to the economy
and the loss of 6,000+ jobs. This does not make any sense. We need a 30% Production Incentive to
remain competitive.
PLEASE PASS THIS INFORMATION ALONG!
Thanks!
--
Ryan Glorioso, CSA
