New Company Brokers Equipment and Services and Helps Filmmakers Take Advantage of Tax Incentives

Veteran producers Gary M. Strangis and Bernie Laramie today announced the opening of their new production facilitation company, TurnKey|Louisiana (TK|LA). Through its Shreveport base, the new production resource company brokers state-of-the-art equipment, specialized services, and assists filmmakers to maximize the savings available from in-state-spend tax incentives while also providing vital growth support to the state’s infrastructure and its evolving entertainment industry.
Founded by Gary M. Strangis (The Practice, Ally Mc Beal, Summerland, Faith of My Fathers) and Bernie Laramie (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Profiler, Max Headroom, Aliens of the Deep-IMAX 3D, Threat Matrix), TK|LA is a comprehensive consortium of leading Hollywood vendors poised to provide workflow solutions from pre-production through post and delivery.

The Consortium Partners include: Cinelease & Expendables Plus, Wexler Video, Coffey Sound, MOS Sync, Fairfield Studios of Shreveport, InterVideo, Wilshire Editorial, West Post and Westwind Media. Strangis oversees the Production and Louisiana-based operations from the Shreveport office. Laramie oversees Post-Production operations and the Los Angeles office.

“By linking an extensive array of established, complimentary, industry- leading vendors, we’ve formed a ‘virtual backlot’ in one of Louisiana’s main production arteries,” explains TK|LA co-founder/partner Gary M. Strangis. “And since TK|LA retains no studio affiliation, its vast services are available to the entire filmmaking community.”

TK|LA’s Consortium Partners are confident and enthusiastic about the TK|LA rollout:

“Having recently visited with partner vendors in Los Angeles, I can say the scope of the TK|LA support system is enormous, provides committed top-drawer companies in all component fields required to have a first class working infrastructure in Louisiana, and is supported by industry leaders in each field who bring the absolute knowledge and equipment depth to underpin any film project or multiple projects.” – Dana McCommon/Owner, Fairfield Studios ‘ Shreveport, LA

“We’ve had positive working relationships with many of the participants in this venture and are excited about participating with them in what we feel will be a powerful resource for the many productions working in the state of Louisiana. Getting this level of expertise and resources in one location will make the lives of producers working in Louisiana easier than it has ever been ‘ it will provide them with state- of-the-art options through companies known for their quality and customer service, to support every aspect of their production.” ‘ Kenny Fields, Owner, West Post ‘ Santa Monica, CA

Filmmakers can look to the TK|LA consortium to provide the most current and best suited solutions throughout the workflow process including the latest digital acquisition products, lighting and grip equipment, on-location communication, digital dailies solutions, editing systems, and a complete array of post-production support including film and digital lab work, and virtual editing.

“We have it all and we make it available in custom packages or ala carte ‘ the choice belongs to our filmmaker clients,” remarks Hollywood-based co-founder/partner Bernie Laramie. “Because this equipment is largely offered as an in-state-spend, the filmmaker has the added benefit of recapturing a significant percentage of production expenditures through Louisiana state tax incentives.”

The State of Louisiana currently offers an array of tax incentives to attract filmmakers. In most cases, productions shot inside Louisiana can qualify for tax credits up to 25% of all expenses that they incur “in-state.” For a television movie or lower budgeted film, the 25% recapture can be the deciding difference in whether or not a film is made.

Strangis and Laramie see their roles as problem-solvers ‘ at-the-ready to assist filmmakers in achieving their creative vision in the most creatively efficient and economical way possible. In addition to setting up shop in a tax-incentivized region, they will also be introducing inspired technical innovations in such areas as digital acquisition, satellite and microwave transmission solutions, digital dailies, digital intermediates, and virtual editing, to help filmmakers conquer their budget woes. “TurnKey|Louisiana truly brings tomorrow to Louisiana today,” concludes Strangis. “With our Consortium’s state-of-the-art profile, we infinitely expand the filmmaker’s choices …it’s their world at the turn of a key.”