Thursday, March 31, 2011

New Orleans the new Hollywood?

"Women like a man with a big, back porch!"
-Raymond (Princess and The Frog)
 
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, Big Momma's House 2, The Family That Prey’s. As Black Hollywood’ers-to-be, I’m sure you’re more than familiar with these movies. How about X-Men Origins: Wolverine? A Streetcar Named Desire? The Curious Case of  Benjamin Button, Glory Road, Déjà Vu? We are quite sure you are familiar with these award-winning classics. New Orleans, Louisiana is the new home for Hollywood. It’s no surprise the increasing number of films and popular TV series (HBO’s Treme) being filmed in The Big Easy post-Hurricane Katrina.
 In 2002, Louisiana began offering tax incentives for film and television production. Famed movie director, writer and producer Spike Lee has come to New Orleans twice in three years to cover the affects of Hurricane Katrina. In August 2010, HBO aired Lee's documentary series If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise, which chronicles how New Orleans and the Gulf Coast area have fared in the five years following Hurricane Katrina. One of Hollywood’s highest grossing stars Nic Cage is currently filming yet another film in New Orleans. Disney, the multi billion dollar enterprise responsible for cartoon classics Mickey Mouse and Snow White has also been hit with the Nawlins mojo. The Princess and The Frog, which compiled the voice of Black stars Oprah, Terrance Howard and Anika Noni Rose, grossed a remarkable $7 million dollars at the box office during its premiere. Co-Writers and Directors, Ron Clements and John Musker stated that they chose New Orleans as a tribute to the history of the city, for its "magical" qualities, and because it was executive producer John Lasseter's favorite city. (Oh, and did I mention Tyler Perry is from New Orleans?)With major films, come major budgets and major opportunities to cash in and there appears to be an insatiable desire for directors and producers to return to NOLA. Look's like it might be time to pack some bags and head on down to the crescent city!
-Windy Cooke

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