The University of Louisiana at Monroe received the state’s Entertainment Development Fund of $750 thousand grant over three years to create opportunities for students looking for a career in the film industry.
Associate Professor of Communication, Dr. Chris Mapp says, " We felt that there was a void in this region, and we are doing our best to try to contribute the entertainment industry and develop the workforce and student pipeline that the industry needs to fill that void."
The grant allows ULM to do several things by creating a film and media arts concentration, establishing an in-hour motion picture studio on the Clark M. Williams Innovation Campus and host filmmaking summer camps for high school students across the region.
Mapp says," This is an exciting time for the industry a lot of changes going on, but a lot of opportunity as well. I've been telling folks we aren't just going to create movies but create opportunities by providing students with the tools that they need."
ULM will acquire state-of-the-art equipment that gives students hands-on experience from ADR editing suites, studio sound stages and professional office spaces. All to support workforce training and help attract film projects. Mapp says when it comes to the potential of the new program, the skies the limit.
