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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2009
CONTACT: Trey Burvant (504) 784-2274
info@secondlinestages.com
New Orleans, Louisiana – Second Line Stages (SLS) is pleased to announce that construction has begun on the first green independent film studio in the nation. The facility is being purpose built to a Hollywood standard in order to serve the specific and immediate demand of the burgeoning media industry in New Orleans and the state.
"Film is a major part of Louisiana's cultural economy, creating jobs and contributing to the quality of life here in our state, “ quotes Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu of Louisiana. “2008 was a record year, with more than 80 major projects produced here in Louisiana. We will continue to develop the necessary infrastructure to make Louisiana a global leader in the film and television industries."
While playing a crucial role in solidifying the future of the entertainment industry here in New Orleans, Second Line Stages hopes to aide in the city’s economic recovery. The project will restore a dilapidated, historical warehouse, while a new structure will be added to the property footprint. Construction alone is estimated to create over 300 direct jobs.
“What New Orleans needs more than anything right now is new, positive economic growth,” says New Orleans native Susan Brennan, owner and developer. “Second Line will also add to New Orleans’ reputation as an artistic center for entertainment and creative expression by providing a state-of-the-art production center for the fast growing film industry.”
Conveniently located in the Historic Lower Garden District, Second Line Stages joins in the revitalization of one of New Orleans’ fastest growing areas. As New Orleans city council member, Stacy Head points out, "This district has become an attractive location to the film and music industries as well as one of the most sought-after places to live for New Orleans transplants. Second Line Stages is exactly the type of project that is moving New Orleans in the right direction.”
The main campus will be a 90,000 square foot facility encompassing three soundstages measuring 18,000, 12,500 and 7,000 square feet, each with a sound rating of NC-25, light grid, show power, and silent air-conditioning; 18,000 square feet of production support space; 30,000 square feet of production office, dressing room, casting, wardrobe and conference space, a 49-seat digital screening theatre, ample parking, additional warehouse space, trailer hook-ups, and a roof top terrace showcasing the spectacular views of the Mississippi River and Downtown New Orleans.
“We want Second Line to become a vital hub of production activity here in New Orleans,” says founder Trey Burvant, who conceived the project with veteran film producer and partner Diane Wheeler-Nicholson, “Meeting the current demand and furthering the growth of a self-sustaining industry remains the ultimate goal.”
Once completed, the studio will provide turnkey services to its clients in order to streamline production. The campus will be able to comfortably accommodate feature films, episodic and live television, commercial, music video, green screen productions, and long-term office and warehouse space to media related businesses.
“Second Line Stages will transform New Orleans from a film location to a true production destination,” cites Jennifer Day, Director of New Orleans Office of Film and Video, “With many other support services in place, the stages mark a level of maturation for the New Orleans’ film industry.”
The entire studio is being developed from the ground-up to comply with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Certification Standard, which is awarded to structures that achieve superior environmental performance.
Executive Architect on the project John Williams notes, “Conforming the Second Line Facility to LEED sustainability standards will help establish New Orleans as a cutting edge leader in forward thinking film studio design.”
It is anticipated to be the very first film studio complex in the country to achieve this rating. Additionally, the operations of the studio are being designed to influence smarter, cleaner, more sustainable physical film production methods and practices.
“Continuing to find cleaner ways to do business is crucial to the future of our environment, and the film industry is no exception,” adds Mr. Burvant.
Utilizing the motion picture infrastructure tax credit program, administered by Louisiana Entertainment, a division of the Department of Economic Development, the $32M studio was made possible by a combination, combination of developer equity, senior debt provided by Whitney Bank, and a range of new market and historic tax credits. Completing the financial package was investments made US Bancorp, CCG Community Partners, Value Advisor Fund, National New Markets Fund-co-founded by Los Angeles-based Strategic Development Solutions and Boston-based Economic Innovation International, and Tax Credit Capital of New Orleans.
At the helm of the construction services is local general contractor, Landis Construction Company, which anticipates completion of the new facility by the end of 2009.