Content creators in the region can now access a boutique space off Veterans Boulevard in Metairie that offers the tools and space to record top-quality audio and video, collaborate with clients and artists, and learn new skills.
Elation Entertainment is the brainchild of founder, CEO and native New Orleanian, David Adams.
At the age of 23, Adams built his first recording studio in West Palm Beach, Florida, which marked the beginning of his deep dive into the entertainment industry. In 2013, he relocated to Los Angeles and founded Elation, where he had the opportunity to collaborate with renowned artists and producers, including Jordin Sparks, Master P and Fiend. His resume also includes household names such as Ne-Yo, Robin Thicke, Rick Ross, Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Ginuwine, Ja Rule, Sheila E. and Ashanti, just to name a few.
He has also hosted multiple artists’ writing camps at his 5,000-square-foot full recording studio in Burbank, California, for top-tier artists including Beyonce and Justin Bieber.
It’s this experience he is looking to build upon — to support local artists, as well as create a space for visiting artists to thrive.
“The inspiration to launch Elation came from my time in L.A., where I spent nine years immersed in the entertainment industry,” Adams said. “As I traveled back and forth between L.A. and New Orleans, I realized that New Orleans was lacking the industry-standard infrastructure necessary for artists and content creators to truly compete in today’s market. I have a deep love for this city, and I saw an incredible opportunity to fill that gap. New Orleans is home to a vast pool of talented creatives who just need the right resources to be unleashed, and I wanted to provide a space where they could thrive and reach their full potential.”
Elation Entertainment features five studios, in 12,000 square feet of space. In addition to top tier recording equipment for podcasts and musicians, Elation offers green screens, multiple office sets, a curved Cyclorama wall (for shooting scenes “without visible edges”), meeting spaces and lounge areas. Studio rental rates range from $50 per hour to $125 per hour.
“We have some of the newest music technology in the world with the Dolby Atmos mixing room using the Avid S6 digital mixing console,” he noted, “as well as many more industry standard options.”
Adams is looking to nurture his relationship with feature film productions locally and was recently named to the board of Film Louisiana. After struggling through the pandemic and multiple film-workers’ strikes, the film industry is making a return to business across the state. Currently, there are two major movie productions slated to begin filming in the city this fall, following on the heels of a feature film and television show production which wrapped in late summer.
At the same time, the podcasting world is exploding nationally, through both audio and video mediums such as YouTube, with more potential for locally produced shows.
Beyond music, film and podcasting, Adams has envisioned a space that is flexible enough to accommodate content creation of all kinds for businesses, including a corporate workshop package he hopes to launch by the end of this year, where “businesses can rent the studio for a day for team-building events, learn how to create content as a team and have a chance to use the space to create content.”
Some examples of ways Elation proposes to work with local businesses include spaces to film medical device training for health care professionals, or for teams to film commercials or shoot billboard images, and for influencers to create unique content for social media.
“I’m deeply committed to supporting and empowering local artists by providing them with access to top-tier resources and creative spaces that were previously unavailable in the area,” he said. “Beyond just the physical space, we host artist writing camps, collaborate with local talent on projects, and offer guidance to help them navigate the industry. My goal is to create an environment where artists can explore their creativity, refine their craft and bring their visions to life.”
Elation Entertainment
710 Papworth Avenue // Metairie // Info@elationent.com // @Elationent
