Film industry grows in Miss.

In the wake of recent developments, University of Southern Mississippi film majors may soon find themselves in demand. Despite Mississippi's 10.5 percent unemployment rating given by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Mississippi's film industry is showing signs of vitality.

Mississippi Film Office Director Ward Emling said his office is seeing an upswing in the state's film economy during 2011. Attributing this growth in part to recent investments in the state - such as construction of a soundstage, Mississippi Film Studios of Canton, Miss., and the development of a technical program at Hinds Community College in Rankin, Miss. - Emling said he is optimistic this growth will set a trend of benefitting will set a trend.

"[The Mississippi Film Office] just had the busiest fall we ever had. We're about to have the busiest spring we ever had, followed by the busiest summer we ever had," he said.

Emling said the 2011 tax incentives for filming, which have been increased four times since their enactment in 2004, have also contributed to the state's film economy, in addition to other economies.

"The film industry is an industry. It's high-paying jobs," Emling said. "We're talking about people making $600 to $3500 a week, staying in hotels, spending their money on food and whatever."

Randy Kwan, instructor and chairman of Hinds Community College's new film and video program, said the economic climate of encouraging developments like Hinds's film program, which is the first of its kind in the state.

"All the parts fell together because of the new tax incentives and the push in workforce development by the film commission to train personnel in the state," Kwan said.

He also said despite offering classes in film production, Hinds's program is not a threat to that of USM, but  it is rather a complement.

"Our program is a technical program that will teach you to be a grip, electric, assistant camera or assistant editor," Kwan said. "If you want to be a director or a producer, a four-year degree is better. That's what they're teaching at Southern."

Senior sociology major John Barr is confident about choosing media production as his minor because he feels it has prepared him to pursue a career in the field.

"I've had the opportunity to get some really good experience, which I know will benefit me in the future," Barr said. "I've found the classes very interesting, and they've reassured me that I'm on the right career path."

Emling encouraged the state's future film professionals to share Barr's optimism.

"Ten years ago, you weren't watching film entertainment on your phone or your computer," Emling said. "Today, the need for product is exponential, and this is one of the things that sets apart the film industry from perhaps every other industry."