The new year in the Louisiana Entertainment Industry is already off to an amazing start. With multiple major motion pictures already in production, and many more scheduled throughout the year, the experts are predicting even more growth in the local film industry from now until 2013. With this increase and filming, we are also seeing  bigger and bigger names make their way to the Bayou state. The LA Times writes, “Showing signs of continued robust growth, Louisiana’s film industry is gearing up for another busy year, with movies starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Morgan Freeman, Harrison Ford, and Russell Brand”.  And they forgot to mention Tom Cruise, Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg and director Quentin Tarantino.

According to sources, the Louisiana Film tax incentives (which became permanent in 2009) have been one of the reasons for this big boom in blockbuster bookings. But the diverse settings available in Louisiana also have strong appeal for location scouts. Ranging from swamps, to city-scapes, and universities to plantation homes, there are an infinite possibilities for productions here locally. In 2011, production expenditures were “estimated to reach 1.4 billion dollars” which is a huge increase from the “nearly 900 million figure estimated for 2010”. Sources are predicting an even higher figure for 2012, and more jobs for local residents, more casting for local talent, and more star-sightings for the rest of us!

Visit L.A. Times.com for the full article.

_ Author, Stephanie Meyer rose to international fame with the release of her novel series, “Twilight”. With the third of the movie adaptations of these books in the theatres now, you might think that Meyer is ready for some time-off. But, it is quite the opposite!  The author is now in pre-production for the film version of one of her other books, “The Host”. This science-fiction thriller tells the story of a time when human beings are invaded by an “unseen enemy” which forces them to lose control of their bodies, and in most cases, their minds. But protagonist, Melanie is a different kind of human. Her thoughts and memories affect the actions of the “Wander” that has taken over her body. This harrowing tale of Melanie’s past, and her painful struggle includes love, loss, and danger. So the movie will definitely have something for everyone!

Director, Andrew Niccol has signed on for the new adaptation of this novel. Niccol is an Academy Award nominated director, who has previously worked on the movies “Gattaca”, “The Truman Show” , “Lord of War”, and “The Terminal” .

Casting has already started in Los Angeles, and casting will begin here in Louisiana in the coming weeks. For more information about this movie, visit Meyer’s own site or reach this article on examiner.com… and definitely stay tuned into SCG for more casting news and extra opportunities!