The heyday of “Hollywood South” has become a memory these days in New Orleans. The Louisiana House is hoping for a comeback with the passage of SB 232, a bill that looks to expand tax credits for those looking to film movies or TV shows in Louisiana. State Representative Emily Chenevert spoke to WWL’s Tommy Tucker about the passage of the bill and what she hopes it will lead to within the state.
Chenevert was quick to point out how much the greater economy of the state is impacted by the film industry choosing Louisiana for production. “I’m someone who saw the trickle-down impact in Louisiana from the incredible amount of money dropped into the state when productions come here.
Whether it’s a small town like Leesville, Louisiana where a production came through and couldn’t get over the amount of money that was dropped into local hotels and other expenditures,” Chenevert went on to explain. She also notes that having worked on other film projects in New Orleans and Baton Rouge and was impacted by seeing how much the film industry can lift up the local economy where projects are being created.
Chenevert admittedly has a history in media and communications, having previously worked behind the scenes of the film industry for some time doing budgeting (mostly) work. However, she also had a role or two as a featured extra in a couple of “small indie films” and enjoyed that side of things as well. Having been on both sides of the camera in one capacity or another, Chenevert is enthusiastic about the film industry in general. Being a Louisiana native, she feels a duty to bring that industry and the dollars that come with it back to the state.
