In recent years, production companies have brought their scripts, cameras and actors down South for filming. The rapid growth of the film industry in Louisiana has earned it the nickname “Hollywood South,” giving the state its time in the spotlight thanks to the beautiful scenery, excited locals and tax breaks offered for filmmaking.
According to a report from the non-profit Film L.A., Louisiana surpassed California for the title of the world’s film-production capital in 2013. Within the past few years, blockbuster hits such as “The Butler,” “21 Jump Street,” “12 Years a Slave” and “Now You See Me” have been filmed substantially in southern Louisiana as well as “When the Game Stands Tall,” which is currently in theaters.
The rise of Hollywood South has brought ample opportunity for Louisiana natives to jump into films. This summer, “Pitch Perfect 2” took over Baton Rouge for filming, giving fans of the original film the chance to become background actors in the sequel. Megan Shields, a senior psychology major, worked as an extra in “Pitch Perfect 2,” which was her first experience behind the scenes of a highly-anticipated film.
“I was a part of an audience for their performances, and I had to hold different props throughout the night like glow sticks and flashlights,” said Shields. “It was an interesting experience, but exciting because I had never done it before. I think the most exciting thing was being able to see them perform and have a ‘sneak peek’ into the movie.”
In summer 2013, “The Maze Runner” was filmed in the Baton Rouge and St. Francisville areas as well. Based on the series by James Dashner, the film features at least one Southeastern student, senior management major Nick Killebrew, who is no stranger to the booming film industry in the South. Killebrew has also worked as a background actor in “Hateship, Loveship,” “Rajun Cajun Redneck Gators,” the Yahoo web series “Suit Up” and “Student Bodies,” as well as worked as a PA on the set of “Pitch Perfect 2.”
“It’s pretty cool getting to meet celebrities, famous actors and actresses,” said Killebrew. “It was really cool to see how things come together, how they bring the film to life, because when you see it being made right there in person it’s not nearly what it looks like as the finished product.”
While filming “The Maze Runner,” Killebrew was able to meet and work with several young actors including Dylan O’Brien from MTV’s “Teen Wolf.” Killebrew and O’Brien can be seen in “The Maze Runner” in theaters this Friday, Sept. 19.
Senior graphic design major Caleb Holloway has worked on several projects in the past few years as well, including a Facebook commercial, the Yahoo web series “Suit Up,” TV movie “Remember Sunday” and “The Starving Games,” which was filmed near campus.
“I started out hearing stuff from The Holding Tent, and then I started following more casting companies and getting on their listings,” said Holloway.
The Holding Tent is one of several resource pages on Facebook for those looking to work as actors, background actors, stand-ins and photo doubles in the film industry. Both Killebrew and Holloway also noted they use mycastingfile.com, which emails details on upcoming casting calls for a fee of $10 a year.
According to Holloway, working as a background actor can be difficult due to the hectic filming schedule, especially for college students. Most students usually accept roles or work as extras during school breaks and summers. Filming often takes place on weekdays with shifts going from eight to 10 hours at a time.
However, when there is time to be spared, the experience can be well worth it, whether the working on set is for earning pay or performing experience.
“As far as negatives go, it was really hot,” said Shields about her experience filming “Pitch Perfect 2” over the summer. “There were a ton of people, and we had to stay until three in the morning, but in the end it really wasn’t too bad and I would do it again. It was fun.”
Louisiana has been a popular location for sequels this year with filming for “Jurassic World,” “Terminator Genisys” and the reboot of “The Fantastic Four.” According to Mike Scott on nola.com, Sylvester Stallone has been in talks to begin filming “Rambo 5” in Louisiana in the coming months.
There are several major projects bringing big-name actors and actresses to Louisiana in the next year. According to an article by WWL staff on their website, a casting call was recently held in Slidell for the upcoming political comedy “Our Brand is Crisis” starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. Filming will begin on Sept. 29 and continue into October and November. According to Scott on nola.com, Gerard Butler will be filming the sci-fi disaster epic “Geostorm” soon, and Tom Hiddleson, known as Loki from the “Thor” movies, will be playing the role of country star Hank Williams in the indie biopic “I Saw the Light,” which is shooting in Shreveport from October through December.
Those interested in entering the film industry have many opportunities to get their foot in the door through big budget films, TV movies and TV series being filmed right in their backyards. The best way to get hired as an extra is to sign up for a casting website and keep track of upcoming projects to be filmed in Hollywood South.