The Buzz from Northwest Louisiana

During the Location Expo in Los Angeles, TurnKey|Louisiana made a number of critical announcements:

STAGE WEST

TK|LA announced that it would be working with Stage West to open an entertainment vendor-centric site in West Shreveport. After some renovations and modifications, the site – one of the busiest stages in all of Louisiana -- would not only offer rentable stage space and production offices, but also a host of entertainment vendors designed to serve the developing industry.

Read the press release here

ENTERTAINMENT PARTNERS

Entertainment Partners, perhaps the largest entertainment payroll and production management company in the world, agreed to open Louisiana operations with an office at Stage West. Now, payroll services and support product are available in Louisiana to help maximize your tax credit recapture.

Click here to read the press release

FUJIFILM

TurnKey|Louisiaina is proud to announce its alliance with FujiFilm Motion Picture. As the manufacturer-authorized distributor of FujiFilm raw stock, TK|LA is able to offer unprecedented pricing and support to the filmmaker. Further, plans are in motion to allow for cold storage inventory in TurnKey|Louisiana’s Stage West site.

Read the press release here

WHAT DID THE SUMMER BRING?

Besides incredibly warm temperatures and unseasonable rains, the summer brought some more, equally dynamic announcements:

CINELEASE OPENS IN SHREVEPORT

In July, Cinelease and Expendables Plus opened full Louisiana operations at Stage West in Shreveport. Within the first two weeks, the company began full support of two series (PRISON BREAK in Dallas and K-VILLE in New Orleans), and two features -- MAMA, I WANT TO SING (Baton Rouge), and MAJOR MOVIE STAR (Shreveport). The 15,000 sq ft site is chock full of the latest in lighting and grip equipment, plus full camera, grip, lighting, and art department expendables.

AIRWAVES CELLULAR

TK|LA announced that it will now be able to offer the full array of Nextel-based communications products through its alliance with Airwaves Cellular. Airwaves is the industry’s most recognized supplier of production cellular phones and wireless internet hubs.

CAMERA COPTERS

Camera Copters announced that it would be setting up Louisiana operations at Stage West before the end of 2007. This plan includes building a second specialized Nascar-style hauler and helicopter which will be based at the Shreveport site. Be certain to check Camera Copters website for more on this unique service

www.cameracopters.com

ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY – SEPTEMBER 27TH

September brings us to our one-year anniversary of opening for business.  And what a year it’s been. We’ve gone from a 400 square foot office to a 70,000 square foot facility. We’ve expanded our operations to include all areas of the state. Even more impressively, we continue to be courted by a number of high-profiled vendors to see if they can join the TK|LA team.

We also want to acknowledge a number of productions for giving us an opportunity to serve them this past year including MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, MAJOR MOVIE STAR, LOSS OF THE TEARDROP DIAMOND, K-VILLE, WARBIRDS, INTO THE ELECTRIC MIST, THE PARDON, THE MIST, HAROLD & KUMAR 2, and more. Thank you for allowing us to assist in your productions.

And, finally to our investors, partners, and consortium members: Your patience, guidance and advice this past year made it all possible.  THANK YOU ALL! 

Helping attract these films is the State of Louisiana's continued marketing of the Motion Picture Tax Incentive Act #456. The Act allows producers to recover up to 25% of each dollar they spend on films shooting in the state. Of course, there is one significant change that has been applied recently - the "in-state spend" component.

“Hollywood South” continues to attract an increasing volume of projects.

IS THE INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT FOR YOU?

Unlike years past, the producer cannot claim any tangible goods and services (think camera, lighting/grip, communications, visual effects, and on and offline post production) unless they are secured through a Louisiana-domiciled vendor. TurnKey|Louisiana LLC meets that criteria. Essentially, by securing your services and equipment through TK|LA, your expenses qualify for the 25% rebate. Bringing your gear in from out of state means those expenses would be excluded from the tax credit. Why would you want to do that?

Another important element of the tax credit rules is the Louisiana-labor component. As a producer, it is in your best interests to hire Louisiana-based labor. Besides getting an eager workforce, you get an additional 10% rebate on top of your 25% rebate. That's a full 35% of every dollar spent on Louisiana-based labor!

Here's a sample of how it breaks down
Total Feature Film Budget: Louisiana Production Cost: Equipment secured "in-state" 25% Tax Credit: Louisiana-based labor 10% LA. Labor Credit Total Feature Film Budget Total Credits Net Cost:	$10.0M (includes prints, marketing, etc.) $7.0M (estimate) $0.750M (estimate) .25% x 7.750MM = $1,937,500 CREDIT $2.5M of the $7.750M Production Cost Above 10% x 2.5M - $250,000 CREDIT $10.000,000. $ 2,187,500. ___________ $ 7,812,500.

Obviously, the more you import to Louisiana, the better the financial break.




Read more about our recent media rollout:
www.variety.com
www.shreveporttimes.com
www.publicbroadcasting.net (Kate Archer 09-28-06 "Louisiana Film Production")