Louisiana’s Hollywood South Lifts Again In New Orleans, Louisiana

October 18, 2006

NEW ORLEANS, LA –Hollywood South Continues and the sorrows are becoming footage.

On Thursday, October 19, 2006, Mayor C. Ray Nagin will join Governor Kathleen Blanco and LIFT Production executives to celebrate what is being described as the official groundbreaking of the LIFT Film Factory, owned and operated by LIFT Production, a Louisiana-based company. 

The project is expected to be a well-deserved boost in the arm to an industry in an area that was hurt by Hurricane Katrina, but, which has persevered.

LIFT Production cites a recent Tulane University study which LIFT asserts is expected to create 2, 253 direct jobs generating $131 million in earnings, and 1, 517 indirect jobs creating an estimated $116 million in earnings with a total cost of $185 million.  LIFT began this project in August of 2004 with an expected completion date in the fall of 2008.

Pre-Katrina, Hollywood South brought approximately $400 million in film investments to Louisiana and was ranked 4th in filmmaking by Moviemaker Magazine in 2005.  Mayor Nagin also introduced significant initiatives moving New Orleans to the next level of the Trinity Industry with film, music, and video game production, and created a National Film Advisory Board to assist in making New Orleans a top of the line place to film movies.

“We are witnessing a major milestone for the city’s growing film industry. This is a project that will assist in the rebuilding and revitalization of Hollywood South, jumpstarting key development in the growth of our economy,” said Mayor Nagin. “LIFT’s state of the art studio and soundstage facility will provide critical infrastructure needed to meet the demand from filmmakers across the nation, fulfilling the vision of Hollywood South.”  

The Film Factory is a 300,000 square foot studio and soundstage facility that includes four sound stages, a film training institute, and distribution house under one roof. This facility will provide technical training that will give New Orleanians the skills they need to get jobs in the film industry and provide a better quality of life for their families.  Digital media products to be developed at the Film Factory will enable New Orleans to diversify and expand its economy with 21st century entertainment products, making the city a global competitor in the film industry.

LIFT Production has produced and financed more than 30 motion pictures and television movies since its opening in 2002.  The Film Factory will be located on 18 acres of land west of the French Quarter at the intersection of St. Louis & Galvez Streets.