New Orleans Local Board member Carol Ann Scruggs attended the third annual Louisiana Entertainment Summit on Feb. 12 in Baton Rouge and provided an update on the event sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development. According to LED Secretary Don Pierson, the summit is “designed as an opportunity for engaging your peers, hearing from industry leaders on trends and challenges, and meeting face-to-face with allies, content creators and local entertainment-related businesses.” Pierson stated, “Our goal at LED is to attract the investment that will bring permanent, quality jobs to sustain the entertainment industry in our state. Just weeks ago, the U.K.-based Tectronic [audiovisual and sound engineering company] announced it will create 150 jobs in New Orleans at a new videogame testing facility.”
Chris Stelly, executive director of Louisiana Entertainment, opened with a warm welcome and provided his expertise about the future of the industry. The prestigious cast of speakers included Gov. John Bell Edwards and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser.
Some noteworthy information mentioned was very enlightening about the entertainment industry. According to Nungesser, the impact on Louisiana annual tourism is $1.3 billion. In addition, Edwards said the Entertainment Job Creation Program he signed into law has gained traction, as companies from New Orleans to Shreveport have committed to creating more than 100 permanent, quality jobs. He mentioned that last year, spending in the Louisiana film industry exceeded $538 million, with a Louisiana resident payroll of almost $168 million.
Other prominent speakers included Peter Zetterberg, senior director of business management for Xbox/Microsoft; Melissa Boone, senior research manager on the Xbox team; and Vans Stevenson, Motion Picture Association’s senior vice president, state government affairs.
There were panel discussions with prominent industry contributors, including Novac Executive Director Darcy McKinnon; Tribeca award winner Phillip Youmans; Oscar-nominated film producer Josh Penn; 2019 Louisiana Film Prize winner James Harlan Palmer; documentary and independent filmmaker Jolene Pinder; Tank and the Bangas lead singer Tarriona Ball; Tune Core Entertainment Relations Director Erin Frankenheimer; music tech conference producer Brian Zisk; IberiaBank Senior Vice President, Director of Music Sports & Entertainment Banking Peggy Dold; and Reid Wick of the Recording Academy, who served as moderator.
Kudos to the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association for being a key sponsor of this event.
Listed below are a few websites with additional information concerning the entertainment industry here in Louisiana.
Baton Rouge Film Commission
Louisiana Entertainment
Louisiana Film & Entertainment Association (LFEA)
New Orleans Film Commission
NOCCA
NOVAC
Office of Film Jefferson
SAG-AFTRA New Orleans
This item appeared in the New Orleans Local newsletter.
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