NATCHEZ — The movie industry in Mississippi could use support, some industry experts say.

Natchez native Patrick Mulhearn, executive director of Celtic Media Centre in Baton Rouge, came to the Natchez Rotary Club’s Wednesday meeting to share his ideas on how to bring movie and television shows to Mississippi, and especially to Natchez.

Mulhearn, whose studio has hosted film projects such as “Battle Los Angeles” and “Breaking Dawn” as well as the new television show Underground, said tax incentives such as those in Louisiana could help convince new television shows to film in Mississippi.

“Don’t try to beat Louisiana, but try to complement it,” Mulhearn said. “This is something that will put tens of millions of dollars in the local economy.”

Mulhearn said he hopes Sony will seek to film “Natchez Burning,” a TV series based on the series of Natchez author Greg Iles’ novels, in its actual location, but is unsure if the company will choose to do so or not.

“It makes a lot of creative sense to film here,” Mulhearn said. “And if they need sound stages or anything, we’re right down highway 61.”

Mulhearn said Mississippi should consider making it easier for filmmakers to take advantage of the tax credits already in place and make them even steeper to incentivize more Mississippi-based TV and movie projects.

“Shoot at anything that flies and claim everything that falls,” Mulhearn said. “That’s economic development. I will add a little twist to that — if legal, always hunt on a baited field. Mississippi is not putting out enough bait.”

Mulhearn also said Mississippi could increase its attractiveness to the entertainment industry by setting up infrastructure for potential projects. This could involve investing in sound stages and studios, as well as in keeping qualified film professionals nearby.

Another leg of the entertainment industry, Mulhearn said, is weddings. He explained that much of the infrastructure of music, photography, and wardrobe needed for film projects is also needed for the nation’s considerable destination wedding industry. All that’s needed, Mulhearn said, was economic incentives to bring the weddings here.

“Natchez has the locations, it’s just phenomenal,” Mulhearn said. “It might sound crazy, but what if Natchez became destination wedding capital of the world? Give it some thought. Is it something one of your legislators could explore for you?”

Mississippi legislators are already exploring some changes to film incentives. The Mississippi House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 444, the Mississippi Motion Picture Incentive Act.

The Mississippi Senate Finance Committee is now reviewing the measure, which would improve tax incentives for film projects in the state.

The bill may be a step in the direction for which Mulhearn advocated.

“In 2015, Baton Rouge was named the No. 1 city for filmmakers,” Mulhearn said. “My goal is to make Natchez on that list at some point.”