As the University suffers increasingly debilitating budget cuts, salvation may come from an unlikely source.
Two of LSU’s premier theatre professors suggest a film program at the University could bring in more money for the school and the state.
Richard Holben, assistant professor of acting and directing, said Louisiana’s film industry is the third largest in the country, right behind Los Angeles and New York. He also said the industry is picking up speed.
“It’s the fastest growing industry in Louisiana,” Holben said. “The disconnect comes from LSU’s end in that we’re one of the only institutions in the country of its size that doesn’t offer a film program.”
Holben said a department of theatre and film would take an investment on the University’s part, but the benefits to the students and the economy would be significant.
“The marriage [of the film and theatre programs] makes all kinds of sense because it would give students a chance to technologically learn their craft and learn how to talk to and work with actors in the telling of a story,” Holben said.
Nick Erickson, associate head of the University’s master’s program in acting, said actors and filmmakers have more opportunities in Louisiana than in New York or Los Angeles.
“Our students … can get major auditions where they have a speaking part in a role,” Erickson said. “Those auditions they can get here, they would not be able to get … if they just picked up and moved to LA or New York right away.”
Holben said students can start their careers in Louisiana and make a living without having to trek all over the big production cities.
“Whether you want to leave or not is up to you … but start here. And if you don’t want to leave, you can create a life here,” Holben said.
Michele Guidry, graduate acting student, said there are incentives to stay in Louisiana to act that were not available a few years ago. Guidry said she might stay after graduation because of the increased acting opportunities in Louisiana.
“Now that I’ve moved myself here, it would be a shame not to take advantage of the film industry that’s in Louisiana right now,” Guidry said. “I’m thinking about moving to New Orleans, getting an agent and trying to do some film and television work.”
Josephine Hall, graduate student, said opportunities for actors in Louisiana increase each year, and national groups are starting to take notice.
Guidry said she and Hall are both members of the actor’s union Actors’ Equity. With the surge of talent moving into Louisiana, Guidry said, the union granted the Louisiana area its first representative.
Erickson said the University needs a significant film program to keep up with growing demand for talented actors and filmmakers in Louisiana. Erickson said if the University doesn’t “take the lead” in training Louisiana talent, “we’re going to get gobbled up and surpassed by new studios” that are not run through a university system.
“People are going to [studios] to train. We want them to come here,” Erickson said. “That’s part of our mission for LSU.”
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette recently added a new major in light of the booming film industry, according to an article in The Lafayette Independent Weekly.
The article said the Board of Regents approved the new degree program, moving image arts, because it is a no-cost program that could benefit the economy.
The increasing demand for workers in the film industry also contributed to the addition of the program, according to the report.
Erickson said the unique spirit of Louisianians draws productions searching for talent to the state. Erickson said casting directors are starting to notice “there is a hotbed of talent here.”
Holben said if the film and media arts and theatre programs come together, students could graduate with the skills “on both sides of the camera” to go out into the Louisiana film industry.
Erickson said programs that will prevail against the budget cuts are those that can generate money and tackle the needs of “Louisiana citizens, our economy and our culture.” Erickson said he believes a comprehensive film program will do just that.
“The big guns up here that run the future of this school are having to decide what to cut,” Erickson said. “It is a crucial moment in history for LSU.”
 
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