How to be in a movie in New Orleans
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
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.
Go deeper: