By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – As the curtain closes on 2009, officials with state and local offices for film and television say Louisiana is on track to break records for film and television production work following a slow start.

Sherri McConnell, head of the state film office, said the early part of the year, which is usually a slower time thanks to higher temperatures and the threat of hurricanes, was particularly down in 2009. She explained that film industry strikes, a sluggish economy and uncertainty surrounding the future of Louisiana’s film industry tax credit program all contributed to the poor start to the year.

McConnell said prior to the state Legislature’s approval this spring of a 5 percent increase in incentives for production companies, the 25 percent tax break was scheduled to drop to 20 percent in 2010 and 15 percent in 2012 – making several production companies much more reluctant to want to work in the state. She called the increase to 30 percent “a very positive move.”

According to figures from the Louisiana Office of Film and Television, 25 applications for projects came through the state in the first half of 2009. The number more than doubled to 60 since July 1, when the increase in incentives took effect. McConnell said the total number of productions surpassed last year’s record figure of 84.

The New Orleans metropolitan area is also on track to break records for production work. Jennifer Day, director of the New Orleans Office of Film and Video, said the 23 projects that came through or are still working in the area breaks the mark of 21 set last year.

Five of those productions set up shop on location in the River Parishes, where officials are expecting an even brighter 2010.

Coy St. Pierre, a coordinator for the River Parishes Tourism Commission, said the region’s close proximity to New Orleans, along with a tremendous amount of picturesque sights and locations, has made the area a prime spot for filming.

“I always hear from producers about how well they and their staff and crew get treated in St. John and other surrounding areas,” St. Pierre said. “They tell me it’s like coming home for them. Everyone is always very accommodating.”

St. Pierre said although 2009 was a better year for “location filming” in places like Felicity Plantation in St. James Parish and the old Airline Motors Restaurant building in LaPlace, the parish is also getting increased interest for use of the 42,000-square-foot St. John Center Soundstage, which has been the site for commercials, music videos and a few other small productions.

“We have been heavily promoting it at trade shows and film industry meetings for the last three years,” St. Pierre said. “Producers are starting to get wind of what we have down here, and interest is increasing.”

St. Pierre said the big spender in the River Parishes has been World Wrestling Entertainment Films, which recently wrapped up work on “Brothers Keeper,” the last of three films produced by the company to come through the area. She said WWE also spent time in the parish filming “12 Rounds” and “Knucklehead.”

“We have already gotten a commitment for them to come back in the spring to start work on a fourth film,” St. Pierre said.

“They just can’t get enough of us.”

State figures show since 2002 more than $400 million in tax incentives have been awarded in Louisiana, and production expenditures since 2002 exceed $2 billion — including $200 million in payroll.