Editorial: Studio, film center signs of good things to come The wait is over. The work will soon begin. And we have more signs that Shreveport is Hollywood South.   This week we celebrate the opening of the Robinson Film Center, a $4.2 million project bringing art films and new life to the west side of downtown. Last week we saw the groundbreaking ceremony for Millennium Films' Ledbetter Heights studio project. It represents a significant investment — $10 million and possibly up to 500 workers at a time — from the motion picture production company (a division of the Los Angeles-based Nu Image company), which has filmed six projects in Shreveport since October 2006. Millennium Films is currently working on a seventh titled "Streets of Blood" but also known as "Microwave Park." Among the titles filmed here that are already released: "Mad Money," starring Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah and Katie Holmes and "Blonde Ambition," starring Jessica Simpson and Luke Wilson. The studio project is a beacon to a brighter future for what, until recently, was a mostly abandoned (and often-neglected) neighborhood within sight of Shreveport's downtown. The first phase of the project will cover 6.7 acres, but plans call for as much as 20 acres to be developed in support of the local filmmaking industry. Fortunately, our city leaders recognized that early on, paving the way toward Tuesday's ceremony and the structure that will eventually fill what were once mostly empty lots. In December the city moved to acquire abandoned lots (or adjudicated property) to create room for the project. According to the council's ordinance grabbing the 17 properties in the neighborhood: "Each of (the) properties has been abandoned by its owner and the lack of use has contributed to the decline of this economically depressed area." Mayor Cedric Glover correctly noted at last week's ceremony the project brings a new dimension to our economy. "When you begin to put these types of facilities in place and establish long-term opportunities, you begin to add a dimension, or a layer, to that economy." Even while giving our economy a stronger infrastructure through diversification, the studio project also is key to revitalizing a blighted part of the city in dire need of more business opportunities and activity. Mike Flannigan, an executive producer with Millennium Films, explains that Millennium plans to make at least half a dozen movies each year in Shreveport. So it makes sense for the company to build its own production facility where it can build, use and store sets as well as house and handle various production and post-production departments. City Councilman Monty Walford, whose district includes Ledbetter Heights, hopes the investment is just the start of what might be a business boom. "I think a lot of this vacant property is going to be snatched up and used for businesses that will support it." Indeed, it most likely will. We've already seen many ways film production in our city has spun off new business opportunities that those with the entrepreneurial spirit have eagerly filled (i.e. craft services, catering, equipment rentals, acting classes, to name just a few, but the possibilities are endless). While not directly linked to the studio project, this weekend's grand opening gala for the Robinson Film Center on Texas Street in downtown Shreveport is serendipitous. This facility is state-of-the-art and offers a host of educational facilities. It will also bring daily screenings of independent, foreign and classic independent movies in its two theaters. Robinson Film Center is just one of a series of examples of our community's acknowledgement that the art (and business) of filmmaking is welcome here. Certainly, Millennium Film's commitment to growing this industry in our part of the state is greatly appreciated as a strong message to other companies that they've only just begun to explore the possibilities and advantages to making movies in Louisiana — and more specifically — northwest Louisiana. Yes, we have a lot to offer.