Major soundstage complex planned for Austin

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 of Villa Muse.

The project will allow artists from different fields to "cross pollinate" and provide young people with opportunities in film,

television and music, he said. Though Texas has been the site of a number of films and television 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 is joining Republican Sen. Bob Deuell of Greenville to try to pass legislation to provide state-funded monetary incentives. The Legislature is looking at funding between $10 million and $20 million in incentive money for movie productions.

The exact amount will be known once the legislative session comes to a close May 28. Texas Film Commission director Bob Hudgins said if incentives are approved it will make Texas more competitive with other states.