Busy in Hollywood South

I love writing this blog and those of you who follow it know I’m used to being pretty busy and still finding time to write. But, I just finished a movie we shot in November and went straight into another movie and will be filming a TV movie (my first!) at the same time. I’ve missed Saints games at the Dome and dancing with the Pussyfooters in the Krewe of Jingle parade but I’ve been working with 3 home-grown Louisiana productions and loving it.

Remembering Claudia Speicher

Though I have made my living as an actor for the last 20 years, I don’t write about acting very often in this blog. I did write a book about my experiences as an actor but this blog is more about my love for all things New Orleans. Louisiana (or “Hollywood South”) has been one of the top 3 filming locations in the U.S. for the last few years but around 40 years ago, Claudia Speicher moved to New Orleans and eventually became an agent. She had an incredible eye for talent and very selective taste. She became the biggest agent in town – known for her roster of talented and devoted clients as the owner and operator of New Orleans Model and Talent. Just after the New Year she suddenly passed at 65.

Treme Overlaps Life

The Saints lost today – bad. All the more reason to sit back and watch HBO’s Treme and remember all the ways this city overcomes. This week’s episode covered the week following Christmas 2008 into New Year’s 2009. I happened to be in Louisiana that week in real life. I was visiting family for the holidays when I had an epiphany. I’d always meant to retire here, but I remember walking toward my cousins at their docked boat as the sun set over the Tchefuncte River and thinking, “What am I waiting for?” By December 2009, I was here.

New Orleans Living Magazine

A number of blogs host “guest bloggers.” I haven’t tried it yet and honestly thought I’d rather be someone’s guest than turn my reigns over to someone else to post on my blog. That said, I just read an article and interview by Christine Fontana for New Orleans Living Magazine that nearly perfectly expresses my love for this city. As such, I’m reprinting the article with clickable links to some of the places and organizations I mention.

Mobile, Steelwood Golf and University of South Alabama

I haven’t been able to blog much this month. Hollywood South has kept me busy working on a couple of movies. I’ve been privileged enough to work with dozens and dozens of Academy Award winners and nominees throughout my 20 year career, but I got a special kick out of one of my costars this month. Long before I was an actor, I was a movie lover and like most people in the world, I loved movies like The Terminator, True Lies and Twins. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been my Governor, my ideal of the American dream and one of my favorite movie stars – so imagine my delight when I found out he would also be my brother!

Saints Soundtrack – My Pick

I’ve been searching for a new Saints anthem to replace the Ying Yang Twins Halftime (Stand Up and Get Crunk) since pre-season when it became obvious the rumors were true – getting Crunk is on its way out at the Superdome. I scoured the web for a song as inspirational to fans and the team (and as menacing for the opposition) as Halftime. I wanted the song to be by locals and have horns, Who Dats, a universal dance beat and something to chant. After presenting over a dozen options in my posts Saints Soundtrack and Saints Soundtrack Vol. 2, I have found my very clear winner.

Hollywood South’s Expo

Hollywood South is hoppin’. Movies starring Will Smith, Kevin Costner, Arnold Schwarzenegger,  Abigail Breslin, Charlize Theron, Ryan Reynolds, Nicolas Cage and many more fill Louisiana’s production calendar and the hit TV show,  American Horror Story: Coven has set up shop here as well. What a perfect time for the 5th annual Film Industry Expo in New Orleans. As a first time attendee and one of the “The Acting Studio Presents…” guest speakers, I got to attend the event on both sides of the podium.

Summer Movies and NOLA

Like many people, summer means movies to me – big screen tentpole star-studded extravaganzas meant to be seen with a crowd. I haven’t seen them all (like I might have in Los Angeles) but I noticed a common thread in many of the ones I did see – Hollywood South has arrived. If you’ve read this blog’s “About” page, you know that I moved to New Orleans in 2009, after almost 18 years in L. A., hoping to be able to continue my career as an actor in my family’s home state. As I made the leap, many of my friends encouraged me saying, “Watch, you’ll end up working more than ever.” I’m happy to report that in the 3 1/2 years I’ve been here, the whole state is working in the movie business more than ever.

LA Film & Video Magazine and Raintree Services Galas

This weekend, I attended 2 galas, one for “Hollywood South” networking and the other a fundraiser for foster children. The first event was hosted by Louisiana Film & Video Magazine in the old Mardi Gras World across the river. We met up with Jeff “The Dude” Dowd (the inspiration for the Jeff Bridges character in The Big Lebowski) and took the ferry over to Algiers. It’s always beautiful to see the city from a distance, lights reflecting on the Mississippi’s surface. The Dude is in town to gear up for the first Louisiana International Film Festival in less than two weeks where I will be hosting 2 workshops so we were ready to do some serious networking.