Film Work IN NEW ORLEANS and Louisiana

 

Although Chatgris Press is a book publishing company, it also is a part of the New Orleans community. As such, Chatgris Press has a vested interest in the economic health and welfare of the city, and promotes and encourages creative growth and prosperity. To this end, Chatgris Press has added to its Web site information on the video and film industry in New Orleans and Louisiana. The information provided below is posted as received; if incorrect or outdated, feel free to notify the publisher.

 

If you would like to leave the Chatgris Press site altogether to visit other sites as displayed below, use your mouse to right click on any link, then select Copy Shortcut. Open a new Internet browser window and paste into the Address (URL) field. Hit Enter on your keyboard or Go to the right of the address field.

 

Thank you for visiting Chatgris Press, and best of luck with your video and film endeavors!

 

Breaking news! 

 

In an effort to increase visibility and appreciation of the film and video industry in New Orleans and Louisiana, Gary Michael Smith of Chatgris Press drafted and submitted a proclamation to the Governor’s office during the third week of January 2005. On Monday, January 24, 2005 Governor Blanco approved and signed the proclamation declaring the month of March “Film and Video Industry Awareness Month” for the state of Louisiana. Download the proclamation (224KB) here.

 

Tax Credits

 

New Orleans is flourishing with film work for actors and extras. This is thanks to the following legislation:

 

Read a Summary of Motion Pictures Incentives (88KB).

 

Working As an Extra

 

If you are interesting in working as a film extra, there are a few steps that you should follow to get started:

  1. Develop a résumé using a standard Hollywood Format Résumé Template.

  2. Complete a Motion Picture Extra Profile Sheet.

  3. Take high-quality digital photos or pay a photographer to shoot some “head-shots.”

  4. Apply your picture to the Template and Profile Sheet.

  5. Send a cover letter with your résumé and profile sheet to a Film Extra Casting Companies.

 

If you prefer to work as a speaking actor, follow these steps:

  1. Take some Acting Classes or hire an acting coach (see next section below).

  2. Send your résumé and profile sheet to agents and/or talent agencies.

 

You can follow up with emails and phone calls if you haven’t heard from the casting company or talent agencies. Just understand that these are busy professionals with a job to do; if they haven’t contacted you, it could be because they don’t need someone with your particular look or experience at the moment. Patience is a virtue.

 

Photos from Film Shoots

 

Nonetheless, being an extra is a blast. See images from some films:

 

Articles

 

Want to read about the The Life of a Movie Extra (24KB)?

Or maybe you would like to read the Memoirs of a Hollywood South Movie Extra (23KB).

 

Instruction

 

If you want to learn how to be a movie extra, take the course Movie Extra 101 at the University of New Orleans during the summer and fall 2005 semesters. This course is taught by Gary Michael Smith (21KB). See the Classes, Resources, Services link for more information.

 

Film and Video in New Orleans

 

For more information on video and film work in Louisiana, follow these links:

 

Services

 

Film and Video in Louisiana

 

Film and Video, General Information

 

For general information on the film and video industry, follow these links:

 

Film Industry Meet-up Groups

 

Interested in joining a film industry meet-up group?

 

Film Commissions

 

Want to contact a film commission anywhere in the United States? See this Film Commission Directory.

 

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