HARTFORD, Conn. -- Three more movie deals -- along with hundreds of new jobs -- could make their way to the state.

On Tuesday, state lawmakers and film industry members met over their interests in creating more digital media and music production in the state.

ESPN was the first to take advantage of tax credits heralded by state lawmakers. The sports cable network shot "The Bronx is Burning," a miniseries about the New York Yankees, on location at Dodd stadium in Norwich.

Since then, more than a dozen feature films have been shot in Connecticut. House Speaker James Amann wants to generate new business.

"Right now, we're using all New York crews. They're the guys that do the sets, the carpenters, the plumbers, and all that. It's very expensive to use New York crews right now. So, we need to develop our own," Amann said.

The speaker met with what he calls his "Hollywood East" task force on Tuesday, calling on universities and colleges to help train students who want to pursue careers in the film industry.

"We're very interested in getting our students out working on theatrical feature films and television. They have to be trained to do that. They have to go through some relatively vigorous training to know what to do, what not to do," said Liam O'Brien, who teaches media production at Quinnipiac University.

Former Hartford Whaler owner, now movie producer, Howard Baldwin, produced the Ray Charles movie "Ray," and is now working on a story about Jackie Robinson to be shot in Connecticut.

"I think it's extraordinary what they've done here. The leadership is great and the spirit is willing, but they do have to keep it going, they have to keep the pedal to the metal," Baldwin said.

The speaker said two companies are interested moving to Greenwich and Stamford. Both companies specialize in digital media production and could bring 400 new jobs to the state.

Critics have said the state has given away millions in tax incentives, but the speaker maintains that the state will benefit when revenues come in.

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