SIGGRAPH: STATE INCENTIVES LOOK TO ATTRACT PRODUCTION
Louisiana estimates its digital media growth at an averaging of 9.0 percent, year-on-year, since 2001, which far exceeds the national average of 0.4 percent per year. In 2008, Louisiana had its best year to date, with over 80 major film and television projects being shot there, as well as several film and television production companies relocating to the state, including Horizon Entertainment from Atlanta and Bullet Films and Sweet Post from Los Angeles.
In 2008, Electronic Arts set up a global quality assurance center in Baton Rouge. The company has also partnered with Louisiana State University to develop the facility, which is designed to serve as a test center for EA Sports titles, such as Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer, NBA Live, NCAA Football and Tiger Woods PGA Tour.
The Louisiana Economic Development also launched the Louisiana FastStart program, a turnkey workforce solution for relocating and expanding businesses, which will provide customized employee recruitment, screening, and training services.