The Effects Of The Film Industry Strikes On Baton Rouge

The Baton Rouge film industry had an amazing 2022 by most measures.

The Baton Rouge Film Commission reports that industry spending on local film productions exceeded the previous high of $54.3 million in 2019 and tripled to roughly $82 million in 2022 from $28.3 million the year before.

A24’s upcoming wrestling biopic The Iron Claw, Paul Schrader’s Master Gardener, and Disney’s National Treasure: Edge of History are just a few of the high-profile productions that the Capital Region hosted and helped the local film industry recover from the production drought caused by the pandemic. However, labor problems linked to technological advancements in the business are lowering hopes for a repeat performance and compelling participants in the regional film industry to change course.

RELATED: The Venice Film Festival Will Host A Ukrainian Day In Support Of The Film Industry In The War-Torn Country

The Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Actors went on strike this summer, which caused a statewide stop to all film and television works. The strikes, which are similar to those that occurred in the 1960s, 1980s, and 2000s, have an impact on a wide range of industries, including stagehands, carpenters, and hospitality workers.

RELATED: Is The Television/Film Industry Failing, Or Is It Simply Reinventing Itself For The Future?

Since December, Brent Caballero of Caballero Casting in south Louisiana has noticed a significant drop in clients and bookings, which he attributes to studios pressing a symbolic reset button.

“My company’s performance from the previous year has decreased by 80%. And to be really honest, I’m appreciative of the 20% of business we did have,” Caballero remarks. “We’ve been fortunate enough to work on a few independent films and a few national commercials.”

Celtic Media Centre, the most prestigious production studio in the Capital Region, has taken advantage of the opportunity to diversify, while the soundstages are vacant.

The Effects Of The Film Industry Strikes On Baton Rouge

The Baton Rouge film industry had an amazing 2022 by most measures.

RELATED: The Venice Film Festival Will Host A Ukrainian Day In Support Of The Film Industry In The War-Torn Country

RELATED: Is The Television/Film Industry Failing, Or Is It Simply Reinventing Itself For The Future?

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