MovieMaker Magazine recently named New Orleans, Louisiana as the #1 small city for filmmakers to live and work in 2014. As if on cue, Jurassic World (Jurassic Park 4) and Terminator 5, both sequels to two very successful movie franchises, have chosen Louisiana as one of their filming locations.
Jurassic World (the fourth installment of Steven Spielberg’s 1993 Jurassic Park) will be shooting in Louisiana this June (scheduled for 11 weeks). Spielberg will be producing the movie with Colin Trevorrow as its director. As of now, the cast line-up includes Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation, Her), Bryce Howard (The Help), Jake Johnson (New Girl), and Irrfan Khan (Life of Pi). If you’re interested in being a part of Jurassic World, the production is currently hiring.
Terminator: Genesis (Terminator 5), directed by Alan Taylor, will start filming in the state this coming April. Arnold Schwarzenegger leads the cast with Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) portraying Sarah Connor. The role of John Connor will be played by Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty).
Made in Louisiana
Among the other productions filming or soon to film in Louisiana are the Will Ferrell comedy Get Hard (filming to begin in March 17) and The Best of Me, another movie based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, starring James Marsden (filming to start on March 6).
Past productions filmed in the state include Now You See Me, Django Unchained, The Host, American Horror Story: Coven, Ender’s Game, and Oblivion.
For a more detailed list of the city’s filmography, visit Film New Orleans and Louisiana Entertainment.
PHOTO CREDIT: A production still from Now You See Me featuring Mark Ruffalo in a scene filmed on location in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
How Louisiana Rises to the Top of Filmmakers’ List
Ever since Louisiana began offering its own film tax incentives in 2002, the state has quickly become one of Hollywood’s favorite film locations. New Orleans, in particular, has earned its nickname “Hollywood South” by being a complete one-stop shop for film productions.
In addition to its competitive film incentive package, historic neighborhoods and architecture, New Orleans is also alluring to filmmakers in other ways. “It has a hospitality second to none, food that is off the charts, and music to funk to or soothe the soul,” said Lance Nichols (Treme).
PHOTO CREDIT: The MovieMaker issue featuring the “Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2014!” Photo by Sarah Le.
In addition to its deep crew base, New Orleans also has ten massive production stages and numerous all-inclusive post-production facilities. It’s no wonder the city is on MovieMaker‘s top list of small cities for filmmakers to live and work in.
“Every person you meet on the street could be the subject of their own film,” said documentary filmmaker Lily Keber (Bayou Maharajah). “There’s no end of subject matter to work with.”
As to Jurassic World and Terminator: Genesis, if all goes well, we should be able to watch both movies in the summer of 2015. Perhaps even in 3D.
For more information on filming in Louisiana, visit Louisiana Entertainment (a Reel-Scout client).
Browse Louisiana’s film locations.