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17 April 2007, 01:26 PM
$1.5 billion boost for Austin
Planned development expected to spur state's film, TV, music industries and keep business from leaving
By KELLEY SHANNON
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Posted on Tue, Apr. 17, 2007
http://www.star-telegram.com/100/story/71120.html
AUSTIN -- Texas lawmakers working to offer financial incentives to movie producers joined entertainment executives Monday to announce another boost for the industry -- a $1.5 billion development in Austin for film, television and music production.
Plans for the Villa Muse studio complex include eight soundstages, with one at 50,000 square feet, expected to be the largest purpose-built stage in North America, company leaders said.
The complex also will feature high-quality music-recording studios and post-production facilities and services for movies, television, music and video games. Ultimately, residential and retail developments are to be added to the 681-acre project.
"Villa Muse will address the needs of our thriving creative industries in Texas, while attracting business that has been out of reach and forced to go elsewhere," said Jay Aaron Podolnick, founder and chief executive.
The project will allow artists from different fields to "cross-pollinate" and provide young people with opportunities in film, television and music, he said.
Although Texas has been the site of a number of films and TV shows, it has been losing business the past few years to Louisiana, New Mexico and other states that offer financial benefits to filmmakers.
"Neighboring states and foreign cities like Toronto are aggressively working to lure Texas filming opportunities away from the state," said Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, who with Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, is trying to pass legislation to provide state-funded monetary incentives.
Both said Villa Muse will further Texas' movie production efforts.
The Legislature is looking at funding $10 million to $20 million in incentive money for movie productions. The exact amount will be known once the legislative session ends May 28.
Texas Film Commission Director Bob Hudgins said incentives would make Texas more competitive with other states. The diversity of locations in Texas, the Texans who are film-crew workers and Villa Muse will also help to spur more filmmaking in the state, he said.
Although Texas has been considered a place for creating films with budgets of $50 million or less, Villa Muse can help the state accommodate blockbuster movies with budgets of $100 million to $150 million, said Paul Alvarado-Dykstra, the company's vice president of strategic development.
The first phase of Villa Muse will include soundstages and is expected to open in east Austin by the end of 2008.
Neighborhoods and retail development will come later, with the idea of attracting musicians and entertainers as some of the residents.
Negotiations are also under way for a 70,000-capacity amphitheater, Alvarado-Dykstra said.
Developers envision eventually creating a charter school where students can learn about moviemaking and music recording and work with Villa Muse professionals to enhance their skills.
The developers estimate that Villa Muse could generate 8,000 jobs.
Planned development expected to spur state's film, TV, music industries and keep business from leaving
By KELLEY SHANNON
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Posted on Tue, Apr. 17, 2007
http://www.star-telegram.com/100/story/71120.html
AUSTIN -- Texas lawmakers working to offer financial incentives to movie producers joined entertainment executives Monday to announce another boost for the industry -- a $1.5 billion development in Austin for film, television and music production.
Plans for the Villa Muse studio complex include eight soundstages, with one at 50,000 square feet, expected to be the largest purpose-built stage in North America, company leaders said.
The complex also will feature high-quality music-recording studios and post-production facilities and services for movies, television, music and video games. Ultimately, residential and retail developments are to be added to the 681-acre project.
"Villa Muse will address the needs of our thriving creative industries in Texas, while attracting business that has been out of reach and forced to go elsewhere," said Jay Aaron Podolnick, founder and chief executive.
The project will allow artists from different fields to "cross-pollinate" and provide young people with opportunities in film, television and music, he said.
Although Texas has been the site of a number of films and TV shows, it has been losing business the past few years to Louisiana, New Mexico and other states that offer financial benefits to filmmakers.
"Neighboring states and foreign cities like Toronto are aggressively working to lure Texas filming opportunities away from the state," said Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, who with Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, is trying to pass legislation to provide state-funded monetary incentives.
Both said Villa Muse will further Texas' movie production efforts.
The Legislature is looking at funding $10 million to $20 million in incentive money for movie productions. The exact amount will be known once the legislative session ends May 28.
Texas Film Commission Director Bob Hudgins said incentives would make Texas more competitive with other states. The diversity of locations in Texas, the Texans who are film-crew workers and Villa Muse will also help to spur more filmmaking in the state, he said.
Although Texas has been considered a place for creating films with budgets of $50 million or less, Villa Muse can help the state accommodate blockbuster movies with budgets of $100 million to $150 million, said Paul Alvarado-Dykstra, the company's vice president of strategic development.
The first phase of Villa Muse will include soundstages and is expected to open in east Austin by the end of 2008.
Neighborhoods and retail development will come later, with the idea of attracting musicians and entertainers as some of the residents.
Negotiations are also under way for a 70,000-capacity amphitheater, Alvarado-Dykstra said.
Developers envision eventually creating a charter school where students can learn about moviemaking and music recording and work with Villa Muse professionals to enhance their skills.
The developers estimate that Villa Muse could generate 8,000 jobs.