Louisiana Film Industry News

Versatile Louisiana Fast Becoming "L.A. South"

In the 1990s, filmmakers often traveled to Canada. But that eventually became less fashionable, and these days the industry is migrating in a different direction — to Louisiana. "L.A. South" has become the go-to spot for shooting movies.
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FBT Film announces exclusive agency agreement with Film Finances Inc.

Film Finances Inc., the world’s largest completion bond underwriters for films, announces an exclusive agency relationship with FBT Film & Entertainment to offer insurance, financing and completion bonds for Louisiana movie production. This new relationship gives production companies access to financing, insurance and film tax credits all from one source. FBT Film is one of the largest movie credit brokers in the state of Louisiana and is a leading participant in the development of the local movie industry.
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Deal or No Deal?
WIN-WIN SITUATION? Chris Stelly, the director of film and television for the state’s Office of Entertainment Industries Development says Louisiana saves 15% when it buys back movie tax credits while providing a more solid foundation for the production company. Read more about the impact of recent legislative changes to the state and it's film industry participants.
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New Orleans named #1 US City for Live Music
New Orleans has been named the #1 city in North America for live music in a recent pool by the Society of American Travel Writers – an organization whose members include some of the best travel journalists and photographers in America.
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Panel advises film producers to consider states like Louisiana for productions

Tax incentives can be have a big influence on where film producers may decide to film their movies.  However this recent article advises that producers look farther than just film tax incentives as there are many more factors to consider when filming in different locations.  The author recommends carefully considering states like Louisiana as they have well established processes in place to support out of state film makers.
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David Simon shares his thoughts on the upcoming HBO series 'Treme'

Writer and TV producer David Simon recently shared his thoughts about the upcoming HBO series ‘Treme’ including its intended impact.  “It's about people trying to find their way home and reconstitute their lives in a city that was very ill-treated in the wake of the storm, and I don't just mean the immediate wake, but in all the years that have followed. The national response to what has gone on in New Orleans is an embarrassment."
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2009 Oscar Nominated Films Bring Jobs and  Revenue to States

What do Brad Pitt, Anne Hathaway and Mickey Rourke have in common? Yes, they are all nominated for one of Hollywood’s biggest awards – an Oscar®. But, all three of these actors were also a part of an “on location” film production that helped bring jobs and revenue to several states not necessarily known for red carpet events.
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2008 Louisiana Film Production Numbers Set New Record

2008 proved to be another record-breaking year for film and television productions in Louisiana.  More than 80 major productions made their home in Louisiana in 2008 compared to 53 from just a year ago.  Clearly the developing film infrastructure, aggressive financial incentives and unique Louisiana location and culture continue to fuel industry growth as confirmed by figures just released by the state.  
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Louisiana's Movie Industry Continues to Develop Midway through 2008

The bar at the Hilton Shreveport was buzzing with Hollywood players in the early months of 2008. Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mac were in town to shoot Dimension Films' "Soul Men," and Michael Cera and Olivia Wilde were there for the prehistoric comedy "The Year One" (Sony). That's not exactly on a par with Morton's on past Oscar nights, but it's pretty impressive for a nondescript watering hole in a medium-sized Louisiana burg that many industryites have considered part of "flyover country" in years past.
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Movie industry excitement reaches fever pitch (Shreveport Times) -- 6.2.2008

Celebrity sightings and big production Louisiana movie budgets are having a huge impact on Shreveport and other northern Louisiana areas.  Big name Hollywood producers like Oliver Stone are choosing Louisiana for their new projects in increasing numbers.  Furthermore the state continues to make improvements to infrastructure to support the growing film industry in Louisiana.
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Film industry on pace to break record year in 'Hollywood South' (AP Report) -- 04.01.2008

Justin Timberlake, Salma Hayek and Michael Douglas are among a host of celebrities working on films in Louisiana, contributing to what's shaping up to be the busiest year for the state's film industry to date. Figures released this week by the state Office of Entertainment Industry Development show about two dozen film and television projects in production or pre-production in the state so far this year. There were 53 in all of 2007. 
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State officials tout Louisiana film industry growth (New Orleans City Business) -- 12.13.2007

State officials tout Louisiana film industry growth by Jaime Guillet Staff Writer BATON ROUGE - Current film industry statistics place Louisiana at the top of the nation for film activity growth. The Louisiana Office of Entertainment Industry Development, a department within the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, has compiled state film industry facts and national statistics touting the positive economic and work force impacts of the film industry on Louisiana 
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