Not all the news about filming in New Orleans is happy, and such is the case with the recent tragedy that took place on the set of “G.I. Joe: Retaliation”. A crew member working on this production was killed, in what investigators are calling an “unusual accident” last Tuesday. The production team for this picture is in complete cooperation with the investigation as they continue to confirm what led to crew member, Mike Huber’s death. No more details have been released at this time, but may are speculating that this event happened as the crew member was breaking down large set pieces, and a piece of equipment tipped over resulting in fatal injuries. These details have not yet been confirmed. The crew member, Mike Huber will be greatly missed. Paramount Pictures commented, “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the Huber family at this time”, and promised that safety is their top priority for any project.

 

While this tragedy has created some delays in this project, the movie is still underway and filming has continued here in New Orleans. The release date is late June of 2012.

 

You heard it here first! Drew Brees was spotted in Metairie today at Lakeside Mall. It seems that the quarter back was treating his little ones to a laid-back night of shopping… and snacking. The three were seen eating in the food quart, before grabbing a short ride on the train. A friend of John Robert Powers New Orleans was able to snap a picture as the family boarded the ride, provide the image isn’t the best.

Brees had shopping bags with him, and many assumed that he was sneaking in some early Christmas shopping with just the boys. Perhaps that is why his wife was not with him? Like we said, the image quality of the picture may not be the best- the quality of the subject of the photo can not be matched! Brees has been keeping New Orleans proud for the past 2006, and hopefully many more years to come.

Filming of “Broken City” is set to start here in New Orleans this week and continue through January. This movie has been in production that past month in New York City, but the cast and crew are migrating down south for the winter to finish filming this blockbuster.

The production team of “Broken City” is bringing with it an A-list cast of Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Barry Pepper and Justin Chambers. Not to mention New Orleans’ local, Jillian Batherson. Jillian grew up in Louisiana and teaches at the John Robert Powers Performing Arts Academy in Metairie.

Although, Wahlberg is best known for his action roles, such as “The Fighter”, this new movie seems to hit from all angles; involving crime, love, politics, betrayal, and murder. It is definitely something to keep up-to-date on as it films throughout the city, before hitting theatres in 2013.  

For more information, check out onlocationvacations!

Last September, after months of speculation, Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev finally confirmed that they are in a relationship. The two met on the set of their hit t.v. show “Vampire Diaries”. On the show, Louisiana actor Somerhalder plays the bad boy, but in real life? This gossiper thinks his bark is worse than his bite!

Reportedly, Somerhalder will be giving his starlet girlfriend some extra T.L.C. this weekend since she has just had her wisdom teeth removed. Some sources think that Ian also accompanied Nina to the dentist for her appointment. Nina is not particularly good with needles, according to her tweet earlier that morning where she wrote, “Don't like needles or blood. This is not going to be fun. Yikes”. She wasn’t sounding too optimistic when she uploaded the twit-pic of her in the dental surgery chair. Hopefully she had the support of her boyfriend to help take, not only her picture, but care of her post-op.

So don’t let his rough exterior on Vampire Diaries fool you- Ian Somerhalder certainly has those good Southern manners!

Read more about this story from gather.com .

The television series, NCIS is based on a real-life federal agency that investigates crimes in the military. NCIS character, Abby Sciuto, is based (loosely) on real-life actress, Pauley Perrette. Both Pauley and Abby are from New Orleans, studied forensics in college, and defy stereotypes with their alternative wardrobe. So maybe it was this distinction that ranked Perrette such a high Q Score recently?

A Q Score is a marketing tool used to measure the effect that a particular person or brand has on viewers. In the simplest terms, a high Q score indicates that a certain  celebrity especially well-liked.  Our own Pauley Perrette was ranked incredibly high, tying with Tom Hanks and Morgan Freeman for the 3rd highest! This NOLA-born star was the only female actor to make it even into the top 10. Her character, Abby, is delightfully quirky, and well-portrayed which has made Pauley Perrette the most popular actress on US Primetime Television!  

While Perrette is the first person to point out the differences between her and her character, some of the attributes of Sciuto are very biographical of the actress playing her. Abby’s character is from New Orleans, and often incorporates New Orleanian traditions into the show. When one of character’s from an earlier season passes away, Abby has her own mock-second line to show her appreciation for the departed. You can watch the clip on youtube *Spoiler alert!*

You can get a more complete biography of Pauley Perrrette here,  and you can always learn more about the show through CBS.com. NCIS is up for a People’s Choice Award this year, so you can cast your vote and show your support for one Louisiana Local who made it to prime time!

    The television drama “Breaking Bad” first aired in 2008 and has been on the rise ever since! The show tells the story of a terminally-ill high school chemistry teacher turned drug dealer to help cover his end of life expenses. Although it deals with very serious content, the show is comically written and pulls at audience’s heart strings with its incredible likeable characters. But it isn’t just the onstage performances that are making fans feel all warm and fuzzy, but also the actions of one character off-camera.

Louisiana local, RJ Mitte plays the son of the main character. On the show, his character has cerebral palsy, which is a real life affliction of the actor. While his condition isn’t particularly severe, it has still been an obstacle for Mitte in his career and a cause that is near to his heart. To show his support for those with disabilities, he made a skype appearance to honor this year’s winner of the “American Dream” contest at the National Disability Institute. Mitte spoke with the winner, Moiri Rossi about how she can achieve her dream of becoming an actress. Moiri’s speech, which you can watch online, motivates people with disabilities to reach their goals and not let their disabilities get in the way of their success. Both Mitte and Rossi are wonderful examples of this and are helping to change the reputation that people have about those with disabilities.

 “Breaking Bad” is currently filming its 5th season, having previously been nominated for several Emmy Awards. Again, the content for this show is very mature- but the video of Mitte and Rossi is suitable for all ages!

The futuristic, science-fiction novel, “Ender’s Game” is set to be made into a movie- and what better setting to film a new picture in than New Orleans! That’s right, Summit Entertainment is looking to take on a new endeavor as Orson Scott Card’s book is being adapted for film. Summit has had its hands tied the past few years with the “Twilight” Movies, but now that the third movie is in the theatres, they already have their sights set on a new “big teen franchise”.


“Ender’s Game” is frequently compared with the themes of “Harry Potter” since it, too, tells the story of a young boy’s fight over the darker forces. But unlike Potter, “Ender’s Game” is much more violent, and more suitable for older audiences. The book was originally adapted to a screenplay by Warner Brothers, before being picked up by Summit last April. The movie has also cast up-and-coming star, Asa Butterfield as the title character! Butterfield can be seen currently in the new Scorsese film, “Hugo” which is gaining international attention.

Critics are hopefully that with this casting, direction, and screenplay, the movie will be able to merge the adult content of the “Twilight Saga” with the whimsical elements of “Harry Potter” and create a new classic that will be compelling to all ages. Production is schedule for February of 2012 here in New Orleans, so be on the look-out for casting and extra opportunities!

For more information, you can read the full story through nola.com

Beginning on Thursday, the city of New Orleans has been hosting its 4th annual Fringe Festival. This Festival attracts avant-garde performers, independent theatre productions, circus acts and its own (unusual) parade. According to the Festival’s site, this 4 day event seeks out the “wild, weird, fresh, and original. Anything can be performed: we let the audiences decide what is excellent, astonishing or brilliantly insane.”

Audiences this year are doing just that! With a litany of shows ranging from comedy, to dance, through puppetry and burlesque, the New Orleans Fringe Festival has certainly got the local arts community talking!

Nola.com indicates that a lot of the shows at this event are far from “family friendly”. However, in a recent article they outline some of the most kids-oriented events, such as the parade, and painting party. In contrast, the more mature audiences will probably prefer what the Gambit has to say about some of the evening’s comedy shows. Some of the more daring productions are scheduled for late in the evening, some not even beginning until around midnight. If you are interested in checking out any of the shows, definitely read the description to see what you’re getting yourself into!

Crowd favorites from this year include the one woman show, “Girls! Girls? Girls.”, and also the comedy “La Concierge Solitaire”. The latter, is a show about a lonely hotel employee who imagines a strange cast of hotel guests to help his day go by faster. Many of this year’s productions touch upon more series themes, like race and sexuality. However they are told in such an artfully abstract way that the audience can find the shows entertaining, and even funny. The Fringe Festival here in the Crescent City helps keep the momentum of New Orleans as a cultural mecca, and attracts national- and international attention!

For ticket information, visit the event’s website!

Between filming all three movies in the “Twilight Saga”, actor Robert Pattinson began to get a little lonely. Which may be why he decided to get his very own “man’s best friend” at a Baton Rouge shelter! While filming, “Breaking Dawn” Pattinson visited a small shelter just outside of the Louisiana capital and found a pet, whose days were numbered.

The star told Regis and Kelly that it was one of those shelters “that doesn’t keep the animals very long” and that his dog was on “day 6 of 7” when he decided to adopt him. Pattinson named the dog Bear, and has treated the dog to all types of luxury to make up for his troubled past. From being on the set of one of this year’s biggest movies, to flying in a private jet to Los Angeles, this pup’s luck has definitely turned around. As for Pattinson? He’s just happy to have a faithful travel buddy as he jets off around the globe promoting his latest film. His cast-mates don’t seem to mind the company either, and Kristen Stewart has been seen walking Bear in New York’s East Village.

You can watch the interview with Robert Pattinson, where he talks more about his newly found friend on youtube.

J.R. Martinez doesn’t seem to be scared of anything- from foxholes to foxtrots! This Louisiana local was raised in Shreveport, before moving to Georgia as a high school senior. Following school, Martinez joined the Army and served for his country in the Iraq war. It was during his time overseas that Martinez was injured in a landmine explosion that left him with severe burns covering almost half of his body.

This event would have been enough for anyone to feel defeated- but for J.R. Martinez it had the opposite effect. While in recovery, Martinez began to speak to his fellow injured soldiers, before beginning a national speaking tour to help spread his motivational message. His dedication and determination gained public attention, and he was even interviewed by Oprah and Jay Leno for his (literal) courage under fire.

But this wouldn’t be J.R.’s last television appearance! In 2008 he joined the cast of “All My Children” playing war veteran, Monroe, and most recently he joined the competitors on “Dancing with the Stars”. His dance partner, Karina Smirnoff, challenges Martinez each week with vigorous combinations and intricate choreography. Luckily, J.R. is more than prepared to overcome challenges. He remarked, “"Karina made the choreography really hard but I'm going to take this challenge head on” in a recent interview.

His perseverance in his personal life, and his unyielding optimism have made J.R. an easy crowd favorite, and have definitely made the town of Shreveport proud of their local success!

Visit the “Dancing with the Stars” website for more about this tremendous story! Or watch this interview with J.R. himself!