Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Latest Ramblings of more filming in Louisiana!


As many movies come flowing into Louisiana some blockbuster movies are taking up residents in different cities throughout the State of Louisiana. Green Lantern staring Ryan Reynolds has taken over parts of New Orleans and plenty of crew. They will be in the State for around 6 months working on the film. Baton Rouge has Blood Out staring Val Kilmer is kicking off soon as well. Drive Angry with Nicolas Cage is in Shreveport for it's 3rd. week of filming and is expected to be there for two months. The gates series for Fox Television is filming an ABC series in Shreveport and will be there for over 6 months with 13 episodes, Treme in New Orleans will be back again as well as Billy the Exterminator in Shreveport.

With a lot of production crews working there are still plenty of Louisiana production crew members not working; the reason? Many productions are bringing in their own crew all the way down to PA's from out of state which leaves local crew wondering why there are all of these productions in the state and they are sitting at home waiting for a phone call. It does not make a lot of sense for production companies to do so when they have to pay for housing, per diem, food and everything else associated with outside crews. If production companies would hire in state they would receive an additional 5% for hiring local and they do not have to pay for housing and such. Another reason, many production companies get here and say "I did not know that there was a large base of local crew" because they did not do their homework about what is available.

With over 50 productions in the state or planing to film in the state this year, production companies do need to realize that there are thousands of crew members in the state and training programs churning out new certified crew everyday. Production companies can find every kind of service in the state as well as specialized prop makers, special f/x artist, product placement companies just to name a few. If production companies need crew Louisiana has got them and plenty of them. Crew from other states are taking up permanent residents in Louisiana because of the steady work.

If people want to question if the Movie tax incentives have helped the state out just take a drive down Louisiana roads and check out productions in every corner of the state with no end in site. Louisiana is truly the state to film your production in outside of the traditional boarders of old Hollywood. Here are the latest movies ramblings of Louisiana productions.

The Gatekeeper, New Orleans
The Big Valley, Louisiana
Dead Mans Gold, Louisiana
The boys Club, Folsom Louisiana
Samuel Bleak, Thibodaux Louisiana
Asleep at the Wheel, New Orleans
Unraveled, Baton Rouge
The Work, Metairie Louisiana
Substance, New Orleans
The Leaving, New Orleans
Difficult Death, Louisiana

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Crew diving into Louisiana lifestyle by Laura McKnight

By Laura McKnight
Staff Writer for the Houmatoday.com
Published: Sunday, March 28, 2010 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, March 26, 2010 at 2:49 p.m.



MONTEGUT — Ashraf Rijal of New York City gave his first-ever karaoke performance this month, impressing crowds at Flynn Stones bar in Bourg with his rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.”
Matt Parker, a Nashville, Tenn. native who lives in New York, plans to bow-fish with a Pointe-aux-Chenes man, and Nathan Harrison of Monticello, Fla., is anxious to tour south Terrebonne Parish waters in a kayak or pirogue.
The three newcomers are embracing local life as part of a growing group of artists taking up residence in Terrebonne sent here to work on a movie.
“It’s kind of like a once-in-a-lifetime chance to come live in a magical place for three months,” said Parker, 33, the film’s line producer. “There are so many things here that you can’t find anywhere else.”
The crew members work for film company Court 13, which plans to begin shooting a feature film in lower Terrebonne late next month. The movie, with a working title “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” tells the story of a young girl whose father starts to die as the world begins to end.
Court 13 established headquarters early this year in the former Cajun Country Stop gas station and convenience store in Montegut. The company is also renting a large garage and housing behind the store, as well as the tract of land on which they sit.
The film crew grew from 10 to about 40 workers in early March, and will expand to about 65-strong by the time filming starts April 28, the film’s producers said
The artists, many in their 20s and 30s, are moving here from spots across the country, often exchanging city homes for trailers and houses along the Montegut area’s bayou side, drawn by the chance to create art together in a unique locale.
“This would be an adventure to live and work in a new place, be around a mightily talented group of people,” Rijal said.
Several said this marks their first trip south of New Orleans, or their first time in Louisiana, but the crew has already formed friendships with locals, bonding over shared boats, boiled seafood and bowling.
“The people you meet are just fantastic,” Parker said.
The film crew puts in long hours, but still finds time to explore local culture and nightlife through visits to bayou bars, Asian restaurants, taco eateries and drives throughout Cajun country. The crew has already developed factions around Houma seafood spots, with some loyal to 1921 Seafood and others to Big Al’s. But the local atmosphere draws agreement.
“It’s so beautiful. It’s good to be by the water,” said Elizabeth McClellan, 23, a Los Angeles native who moved here from Austin to work in the art department.
Rijal, 24, art department coordinator, said despite 12- to 14-hour workdays, the quiet, watery surroundings give his time here a vacation feel.
“It’s a different pace from New York,” he said. “It’s nice to be in a place where folks say ‘hi’ even if you don’t know them.”
Aude Cuenod, 22, of France, said the chance to explore a different part of the U.S. and interact with local residents drew her to join the film’s art department.
“I was really excited about the prospect of working with a group of young artists making a movie about a place, in that place, with the community really involved,” Cuenod said.
Interactions with local French-speakers have sparked cultural curiosity in Cuenod, prompting her to research certain expressions used here.
Harrison, 23, who serves as boats and picture vehicles coordinator, also spoke about the warm welcomes he’s experienced while scouting local communities for boats, animals and other items. Locals often invite him in for coffee and talks about their lives on the water, experiences in storms, fishing-industry issues and land-loss fears.
“It’s a very cool job,” Harrison said. “I love being able to talk to people from this area.”
Harrison said he learned about Cajun culture while studying fiddle music in Nova Scotia. His growing fascination with Louisiana coincided with the making of this film, co-written by his sister, Lucy Alibar.
“People here are really famous for their hospitality,” he said. “You really notice that when you’re borrowing their boats.”
McClellan’s work has her getting to know the culture archeology-style, by digging through trash for art materials.
“It’s an intimate way to connect to the people,” she said.
But she has also experienced local hospitality as residents offer supplies and issue tips.
“The best advice I’ve gotten so far is that if I come across a gator, run from that like I’d run from a wiener dog,” McClellan said, in a zigzag.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Filming Louisiana March 23, updates for productions

There are films rolling in all around the great State of Louisiana and there will be plenty of work for crew and services who supply productions. This could be one of the best years yet in Louisiana Film. Here are the production listings as of March 23, 2010:

The Gates, Shreveport thegatesproductions@gmail.com
Butter, Shreveport butterproductionsinc@gmail.com
Green Lantern, New Orleans, greenlanternfilm@gmail.com
Shotgun Wedding, New Orleans, shotgunweddingcrew@gmail.com
The Americans, Shreveport, Attention James Gerrick cygnetfilm@yahoo.com
Frightland, Baton Rouge brandon@saintsinnerent.com
Flypaper, Baton Rouge flypaperfilm@gmail.com
Delta Blues, New Orleans deltabluesresumes@gmail.com
LA Art Show, Shrevport laartshowresumes@gmail.com
First Date Season 4 TV New Orleans k2.miket@gmail.com
Substance, New Orleans
Fishies TV New Orleans, Baton Rouge, for sound, animators, and storyboard
artist only k2.miket@gmail.com
Pray for Light, info@firesatmidnightfilms.com
Living with Leroy TV Baton Rouge Sound only k2.miket@gmail.com
Criminal Empire for Dummies, New Orleans jess.luebe@live.com
Big Red, New Orleans wwenolallc@gmail.com
Revenge of the Bridesmades TV New Orleans rotbridesmaids@gmail.com
Jeff, Who lives at Home, New Orleans jeffbrothersproductions@gmail.com
Court 13 Houma LA
Murder through the eyes of a child, New Orleanscresent.city.film@gmail.com
The Coffin, info@glassasylumprods.com
Scratching the Surface, New Orleans sts.nola.crew@gmail.com
Drive Angry, Shreveport, Fax (318) 841-3591, drivenproductionsllc@gmail.com
Death House, Baton Rouge k2.miket@gmail.com
Love Wedding Marriage, New Orleans, (504) 525-2946
Unraveled, Baton Rouge
Red, New Orleans, redneworleans@gmail.com
Silver Cord, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, silvercordcv@aol.com
Seconds Apart, Hammond
Moma's Little Baby, Louisiana
The Sean Peyton Show, New Orleans info@horizonent.tv
Treme, New Orleans, blowndeadlineprod@gmail.com
Swamp Shark, Lafayette, jobs.bulletfilms@gmail.com
Jaws of the Mississippi, Lafayette, jobs.bulletfilms@gmail.com
The 13th Gate, Louisiana
Change of Heart, Shreveport more to come
Victim 34, Baton Rouge
Verdigris, New Orleans
Blood Out, Baton Rouge, Talent talent@filmsinmotion.com Crew info@filmsinmotion.com
The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, New Orleans
I wanna dance, New Orleans floyd@imi-world.com
Two Wolves, Baton Rouge info@rememberdreaming.com
The Gatekeeper, New Orleans, info@lightwaveent.com
Hatchet 2, either New Orleans or Shreveport,
Kane and Lynch, New Orleans
The Night Can be Measured
Remnants
New Orleans
10,000 doors, October in New Orleans
Troll, Baton Rouge
A War Within
Hallow Point
, Baton Rouge
Playing with the Enemy, Shreveport
The Work, in Meterie
Leslie, New Orleans
Samuel Bleak, Houma
Without Fear, New Orleans
Difficult Death New Orleans
Peril, Shreveport
The Ledge, Baton Rouge

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Filming Louisiana Magazine First issue has gone out to Production Companies!

Much work went into the making of Filming Louisiana Magazine which features the array of Louisiana crew, services, locations and talent. It was made primarily as a database for crew for the State of Louisiana but along with the database there are some great articles about what is going on in Louisiana Film. "The production resource primarily is for industry professionals, not for everyday people but people in the film industry."

There are over 2200 qualified professionals listed in magazine which will help productions find local talent and in turn will keep the jobs in Louisiana. We want production companies to realize that Louisiana has a great talent pool and they don't need to bring crews from out of state to work here.

Filming Louisiana also has a online database which companies can find crews via the internet at http://www.filminglouisiana.com/ .

Louisiana residents who have not signed up for the FilmingLouisiana database can still sign up for the database at http://www.filminglouisiana.com/ and they too can have a free ad in the Summer issue. The deadline for signing up is June 1, 2010 so don't wait or you won't be listed.

The cover story is about Blayne Weaver and Brandon Barrera and their latest movie, 6 Month Rule, filmed in Shreveport with post production in New Orleans. Two Childhood friends who grew up in Shreveport/Bossier City who have come back home for their first film in Shreveport. Blayne and Brandon are known for their first short, Losing Lois Lane and features, Outside Sales, Weather Girl, and The FP which is in post production as well as 6 month Rule.

Christopher Moore

Filming Louisiana, Films for March 11, 2010

These are the films that are coming to Louisiana as of March 11, 2010. Many productions have hit the ground already. Keep up the good work Louisiana.








Green Lantern, New Orleans, greenlanternfilm@gmail.com
Shotgun Wedding, New Orleans, shotgunweddingcrew@gmail.com
The Americans, Shreveport, Attention James Gerrick cygnetfilm@yahoo.com
Frightland, Baton Rouge brandon@saintsinnerent.com
Substance, New Orleans
The Gates, TV Series, Shreveport
Pray for Light, info@firesatmidnightfilms.com
The Coffin, info@glassasylumprods.com
Scratching the Surface, New Orleans
Earthbound, New Orleans, Fax 504.734.3793
Drive Angry, Shreveport, Fax (318) 841-3591, drivenproductionsllc@gmail.com
Death House, Baton Rouge k2.miket@gmail.com
Love Wedding Marriage, New Orleans, (504) 525-2946
Unraveled, Baton Rouge
Red, New Orleans, redneworleans@gmail.com
Silver Cord, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, silvercordcv@aol.com
Seconds Apart, Hammond
Moma's Little Baby, Louisiana
The Sean Peyton Show, New Orleans info@horizonent.tv
Treme, New Orleans, blowndeadlineprod@gmail.com
The Six Month Rule, Shreveport shpdevelopment@me.com
Swamp Shark, Lafayette, jobs.bulletfilms@gmail.com
Jaws of the Mississippi, Lafayette, jobs.bulletfilms@gmail.com
The 13th Gate, Louisiana
Change of Heart, Shreveport more to come
Victim 34, Baton Rouge
Verdigris, New Orleans
Blood Out, Baton Rouge, Talent talent@filmsinmotion.com Crew info@filmsinmotion.com
The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, New Orleans
I wanna dance, New Orleans floyd@imi-world.com
Two Wolves, Baton Rouge info@rememberdreaming.com
The Gatekeeper, New Orleans, info@lightwaveent.com
Hatchet 2, either New Orleans or Shreveport,
Kane and Lynch, New Orleans
The Night Can be Measured
Flypaper, Baton Rouge
Remnants New Orleans
10,000 doors, October in New Orleans
Troll, Baton Rouge
A War Within
Hallow Point, Baton Rouge
Playing with the Enemy, Shreveport
The Work, in Meterie
Leslie, New Orleans
Samuel Bleak, Houma
Without Fear, New Orleans
Difficult Death New Orleans
Peril, Shreveport
The Ledge, Baton Rouge

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Mayday, Bering Sea Will be On Discovery Channel March 3, 2010


The Discovery Channel will be showing Mayday, Bering Sea this month. It will show March 3, 2010. It was shot in the Louisiana Wave Studio and in Larose Louisiana on a real vessel. I myself had the opportunity along with a great art department of building the Wheelhouse and the Rudder Room for the show. We only had a week to build it so there were a lot of hours put into the build. On the eighth day we had to deliver the Two Large set pieces to the Louisiana Wave Studio aboard two large trucks.

This is when the film crew got started. The wave tank was filled and we set the pieces in place. Amazingly, the Louisiana Coast Guard brought out two separate choppers and did real life simulated rescues for the film. With the wave tank producing up to 8 foot waves you soon forget this is not real. Choppers flying only feet over the tank and waves crashing everywhere with people in the water seemed at times like you were at sea. It was a experience that I will never forget. You can see the detail that went into this recreation as I hope everyone will watch.


On March 23, 2008, the Alaska Ranger sank leaving 47 fishermen helpless in the frigid Bering Sea, a worst ever scenario on the world?s deadliest seas. This is the true story in the words of those who survived, and the heroic account of those who did not. It was the largest at sea cold water rescue in US history. Please don't miss it. I have to say great job again for Louisiana, keep it up.

Christopher Moore
FilmingLouisiana

TV show to film in Shreveport-Bossier City

From Staff Reports • March 1, 2010 The Shreveport Times.

A new television series from Fox Television Studios will begin shooting in Shreveport-Bossier City on March 29.

"The Gates" is a one-hour drama set to air on ABC. The first 13 episodes will be shot at Stageworks in Shreveport and locations throughout the area.
The show is about a big-city cop who becomes a police chief in a small suburban town, where there is more than meets the eye, stated a news release.
Shreveport-Bossier City's look, film-friendliness and the availability of experienced film crews all played a part in Fox choosing the area for the show.
"We competed with several other cities and states to bring 'The Gates' to this area, and we are hopeful this is just the beginning of a long collaboration with the studio and network," said Arlena Acree, Shreveport Director of Film, in a prepared statement. "'The Gates' will strengthen our local film industry and will continue to drive our crew and vendor base. We couldn't be more thrilled to welcome 'The Gates' to Shreveport-Bossier."