How to be in a movie in New Orleans
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Rob Reiner and Paul Shaffer film scenes for the "Spinal Tap" sequel in New Orleans on March 13. Photo: MEGA/GC Images
Hollywood South is ramping back up, and casting agents are looking for actors in New Orleans.
Why it matters: You don't have to leave town to be a movie star.
The big picture: Louisiana is the country's fourth largest production hub, behind New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta, WWL says.
- It's also one of the fastest growing hubs, according to Film New Orleans, with productions spending millions in the state.
- At least eight TV shows and movies have filmed in New Orleans so far this year, including a Warner Bros. feature film from Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler, the "Spinal Tap" sequel and AMC's "Interview with the Vampire."
- It's a hopeful sign that Hollywood South is getting back on its feet after last year's writers strike pulverized the city's film industry.
Zoom in: Brent Caballero owns New Orleans-based Caballero Casting and has worked on more than 200 projects in the South.
- He hires for speaking parts along with background actors, which is another term for extras.
Fun fact: He set a local record earlier this year for hiring 1,000 background actors for a day of shooting on "Goodbye Cleveland," the sequel for "Spinal Tap."

Yes, but: It's harder to hire actors in New Orleans than in other markets, Caballero tells Axios.
- In Los Angeles and New York, people want to be full-time actors, he said, but he doesn't see that career support in New Orleans.
- "Here, we find ourselves engaging people who don't have aspirations to be an actor," he said. They are doing this as a side gig or for fun.
The intrigue: It's a "delicate balance" to market and sell the culture of the city, he says.
- For example, a production may want Black Masking Indians in a film, but they are asking them to do something that doesn't match their image. Or, they won't pay them a fee commensurate with the months it takes to make their suits.
- "Ultimately at the end of the day, I have to protect the integrity of it all and get a paycheck," Caballero says.
How it works: Caballero says he's looking for people who want to work, no matter how they look. "The more diverse, the more strange — I want it."
- The pay starts at $150 for a 12-hour day.
- Anyone interested in being in a production should create a profile on MyCastingFile.com with clear photos. They don't need to be professional, he says.
- He also said you can improve your chances of being cast by following instructions when responding to casting calls, such as using the correct subject line.
Meanwhile, a Tulane grad's business is helping get background actors paid.
- Josh Weinberg worked as a production assistant and was tasked with getting extras to fill out their financial paperwork. It was cumbersome, so he dreamed up a new way to do business.
- His company, Run a Better Set, is a payroll tool for studios to manage and track time for background actors.
- His clients include Netflix, Universal Pictures and Disney. He worked with Caballero to pay the extras for the "Spinal Tap" sequel too.
What's next: Two productions are currently filming in New Orleans and need extras.
- "Grilled Cheese," the Warner Bros. film, is in production through July 12 and an untitled Marine project aka The Corps is filming through Aug. 30.
- See the current casting calls.
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