Editor’s Note: Lights, Camera, Louisiana

For a while, Louisiana was a prime spot for making films — it has even been referred to as Hollywood South. Because of the robust tax credits production companies could earn, there was a slew of movies made throughout the state, especially after the mid to late 2000s. As a backdrop, Louisiana has always served lush, historic and unique settings, so it’s not surprising that the state has been a target for filmmakers (tax incentives or not).  Unfortunately, and in recent years, tax credits dried up and so did much of the filming in the state, which is a shame. It meant a losses in jobs and highlighting our diverse state.

But some movies are still being made here and we have a rich archive of movies from over the years. New Orleans, in particular, has been prominently featured in films like “Interview with the Vampire” (1994), “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008), “12 Years a Slave” (2013) and “Green Book” (2018) to name a few.  Known for its art, history, landscape, architecture and culture, Louisiana works on many levels for a production to settle in and make movies.

Anyone traveling around Louisiana can attest to the change in scenery and overall look and vibes from Shreveport to Lake Charles to New Orleans and Lafayette. You can hear the subtle shift in the accent, see the swampy bayou and the gentle hills. Set a film in any one of those places and you’ve got a rich, unique setting.

It’s always fun to watch a movie and see a place you know in it or better yet, spot someone you know acting in it. More than that, spotting inconsistencies or cringing at bad accents has become almost a game. We are looking at you, cher — Remy McSwain in “The Big Easy” (1986). So it’s a win-win-win when movies are filmed in Louisiana. For the production company, for audiences and for locals.

In this issue, Jeremy Marshall take a closer look at why Louisiana is such a great spot for films and zooms in on some locations that are especially iconic. If you’re looking for deeper dives on films, check out the podcast that Marshall co-hosts at New Orleans Magazine called “Reel Magnolias.”

Happy watching!