SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) -
What began as a second choice for movie makers looking to take advantage of Louisiana tax credits has ended up being a multi-million dollar industry in the ArkLaTex. Shreveport/Bossier has now sky rocketed to the forefront of other popular film making areas around the world.
From aliens invasion to serial killer masterminds, Shreveport has seen it all. Shreveport/Bossier is rapidly becoming the ideal spot for directors and producers to bring their visions to life.
"We make more movies now in Louisiana than Los Angeles does," said Shreveport Director of Media and Entertainment Arlena Acree.
"We're right up there when they're making budgets. They're comparing us to London, to Paris, to L.A., to New York. Louisiana is always in there at the top of their list," said Louisiana Director of Entertainment Chris Stelly.
It is state tax incentives to the film industry that makes Louisiana so popular. At first New Orleans got the bulk of the productions, but after Hurricane Katrina they had to go somewhere else in Louisiana to get those same credits.
"Some states have opted to put caps on their incentives and they've lost film production. So, Louisiana is rocking," said Acree. "We've doubled for so many places. In fact, the movie 'Ice Man' we're doubling for New York and New Jersey right now."
While the movie business in the ArkLaTex is considered to be healthy, right at $77-million in projects in 2011, that is down from the year before
"There hasn't been a major hurricane, so they're feeling comfortable going back to New Orleans. Our job is to try and keep them coming here as well," said Acree.
So far, those efforts to keep movie production in the Shreveport/Bossier has paid off. Several studios have setup a permanent base. The newest full scale studio operation is Millennium Studios. They are equipped with several sound stages, special effects technology, and a large scale set construction area.
"Unlike most projects that start from the ground up, all of this is part of our machine, so to speak, our factory," said President of Millennium Studios Diego Martinez.
Only a few projects have been shot there on the new sound stages, still movie makers have notice the local potential. Currently there are no plans to go anywhere else, anytime time soon.
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President of Millennium Studios Diego Martinez
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