The Ranch Film Studios is expanding TV and movie production in Louisiana.
Earlier this week, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards announced the Ranch Film Studios in St. Bernard Parish will expand film production through the Louisiana Entertainment Job Creation Program.
What is the Ranch Film Studios?
The Ranch Film Studios provides production services, facilities, offices, and sound stages for motion picture production. The studio has hosted the production of major motion pictures, including Bill & Ted Face the Music and Terminator Genisys, and television series, such as Hulu’s The First and the new Fox program Filthy Rich.
The Ranch Film Studios Jobs
As part of the studio’s expansion, the company will create 11 new permanent jobs, with an average salary of $51,818 plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development expects the company’s growth to lead to eight new indirect jobs, a total of 19 new jobs for Louisiana’s film industry.
“Our Entertainment Job Creation Program encourages companies to invest in permanent jobs for motion picture production and other entertainment sectors in Louisiana,” Gov. Edwards said. “As production activity resumes on movie and TV projects, Louisiana remains well-positioned as an entertainment industry destination. Our talented industry workforce will benefit as we continue to create permanent, quality entertainment jobs in our state.”
The Ranch is a production studio on 24 acres of property, providing 220,000 square feet of the stage, 40,000 square feet of production office space, and flex space. The Ranch offers incentive packages to boost production budgets. Located in St. Bernard Parish, The Ranch has served as the production base for more than $700 million in film and TV productions.
What is the Louisiana Entertainment Job Creation Program?
In 2017 Louisiana Gov. Edwards signed into law the Entertainment Job Creation Program to encourage investment in permanent jobs for Louisiana residents interested in the entertainment industry. As Louisiana Economic Development explains, “For jobs paying $45,000 or more annually, the employer may claim a 15 percent payroll tax credit. That credit increases to 20 percent for new jobs paying more than $66,000 a year. A similar credit was established for music-related companies.”
“This expansion brings my partner Sidney Torres III and me one step closer to realizing the filmmaking center and cultural arts hub we envisioned when we opened The Ranch Film Studios’ doors in 2014,” CEO Jason Waggenspack said. “We are excited to be able to continue growing and creating permanent well-paying jobs and building the infrastructure to serve our clients better. At The Ranch, we believe everyone has a story, and with technology constantly evolving new ways to capture those stories, our plan is to be at the forefront of providing a space for those stories to be realized.”
Louisiana’s film tax credit was launched in 2002 and remained one of the biggest in the world. The film industry produces some of the biggest TV shows and movies globally, which generates hundreds of millions of dollars.
“We are committed to supporting businesses that enhance the quality of life of our residents,” St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis said. “The Ranch Film Studios has been a parish leader in reclaiming and renovating abandoned, blighted properties and transforming them into sound stages and facilities for filmmakers and other artists. The tens of millions of dollars in local economic activity generated by The Ranch over the last six years has gone a long way to restoring our community. We are excited The Ranch has committed to bringing even more jobs to our parish.”
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