User:Seth Irby

1. Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (no page exist)- http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Louisiana_Department_of_Natural_Resources&action=edit&redlink=1

2. Louisiana Film Commission (no page exist)- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_commission

3. Port of South Louisiana- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_South_Louisiana

4. Tourism in Louisiana- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Tourism_in_Louisiana

5. Louisiana Economy- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana#Economy

Louisiana's Film Industry
Louisiana has seen tremendous growth in its entertainment industry in the last 10 years. Louisiana is currently ranked 3rd in film and television production, only behind California and New York. Over 300 motion pictures have been filmed in Louisiana in the last five years. Louisiana's film industry entered the national spotlight when "The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons" earned thirteen Oscar nominations, the most in 2009. The industry's recent success has earned Louisiana the nickname “Hollywood of the South.” Much of this growth is due to the state’s unique tax incentives that are directed at attracting film and television companies.

Louisiana’s film and television workforce has grown by over 400 percent since the tax incentives were put in place in 2002. The state currently has over 2000 local residents working on film projects in various positions. This industry helped Louisiana earn a spot in “Site Selection’s 2010 Top Business Climate” rankings for the first time ever.

Tax Incentives
On July 1, 2002, the Louisiana legislature enacted the Louisiana Motion Picture Tax Incentive Act. This tax credit has two primary components. First, the Investor Tax Credit provides a 30% tax credit on qualified motion picture expenditures with no project or program cap. Second, the Labor Tax Credit provides a 5% credit for payroll expenditures on Louisiana residents. This program not only encourages residents to film in Louisiana but also employ Louisiana residents. To qualify for this program filmmakers must spend at least $300,000 in Louisiana.

Climate and Scenery
Louisiana's warm weather and diverse locations appeal to movie producers across the country. Louisiana's subtropical climate makes filming possible year-round without interruptions. The Spring and Fall months are considered the ideal filming time, with October being the driest month. In terms of scenery, South Louisiana has everything from swamps and cypress trees to antebellum plantations and even large college campuses. Many film makers use North Louisiana for its modern skyline with casinos and high-rise office buildings. Patrick Lussier, director of Drive Angry 3D, commented Louisiana's climate and scenery on August 3, 2010 in USA TODAY saying, "The film industry wants to find places it can reinvent and make look like anything it needs and there's a lot of opportunity do that in Louisiana."

Current Film and Television Projects
1. Bad Girls Club Season 7, Television Series 2. Cogan's Trade, Feature Film 3. Contraband, Feature Film 4. Ghostbreakers, Television Series 5. Hound Dogs, Television Episode 6. Looper, Feature Film 7. Rook, Feature Film 8. Seven Below Zero, Feature Film 9. Tarantula, Feature Film 10. The Fishies, Television Series 11. Treme, Season 2, Television Series 12. Universal Soldier: A New Dimension, Feature Film

Peer Edits
kadam28: I think you picked a very interesting topic. The Louisiana film industry has been a popular subject in many LA newspaper articles. I like that you added a current film and television project list, but I think it would be beneficial to have the production dates available. Links to the IMDB database would be useful, so that viewers can learn more about the movies mentioned. Also, there could be a subheading about actors and actresses from Louisiana. Another subheading would provide more information to your readers.