Find Production spaces for rent in New Orleans, LA

About New Orleans

New Orleans is the oldest city in Louisiana, and it was founded back in 1718. It boasts a rich culture and history, which has unfortunately been marred by Hurricane Katrina - one of the deadliest disasters to ever hit America.

The hurricane caused catastrophic damage to New Orleans, and it took years for the city to recover. Despite this tragedy, New Orleans remains a popular tourist destination due to its many picturesque locations - making it perfect for production space rentals. The French Quarter, Jackson Square, and Bourbon Street are among the most well-known locations in New Orleans for production. But it's not only the beautiful areas that make the city so popular for production.

New Orleans also has a strong post-production infrastructure and service providers. From sound design and editing to visual effects and animation, New Orleans has everything producers need to finish their unique projects.

Production Space Options in New Orleans

• Lighting
  There is a reason the popular cue “Lights, Camera, Action,” still stands. It dates to the early days of cinema when the film requires large amounts of light exposure. The lighting equipment ran hot, and they were only turned on when the director made the cue. These days, lighting continues to be an integral part of the production process, and lists of lighting companies in New Orleans can lease out what you need.
  
  
• Equipment Rentals
  The equipment rental companies in New Orleans provide a lifeline to all types of productions, whether big or small. Buying film equipment is a costly affair, and even big-budget Hollywood productions frequently opt for rentals. From cameras to lenses to lighting and grips; you can get it all at a fraction of the cost from rental businesses.
  
  
• Production Designers
  Production designers create the environment where the magic happens on the screen. They work closely with the art director, and props, makeup, and costume departments to conjure up a look that aligns with the production theme. Lists of professional production designers in New Orleans are ready to help you create your personal screen utopia.
  
  
• Directors
  A director is a person who keeps the wheel moving, so to speak, on a film set. His extensive list of roles includes reading and editing scripts, working with actors to help them interpret their characters, directing the technical crew, and in general, overseeing the production to completion. There are selections of experienced film directors in New Orleans who can help out with your project.
  
  
• Makeup Artists
  There is no shortage of makeup artists in New Orleans who can work on straight makeup looks, cosmetic and corrective enhancements, or special effects transformations. Straight makeup focuses on enhancing an actor’s features while cosmetics and corrective techniques change the actor’s appearance to reflect their on-screen persona. Special effects employ the use of prosthetics, latex foam, and mechanical devices.

Production Vendors in New Orleans

• NolaVid
  NolaVid is an all-inclusive video and photography company that will make your event, commercial, or advertising dreams a reality. With trained professionals who love what they do, and are always up for new challenges, you can be confident in their skill set to produce your project. Services include but are not limited to, producing custom videos/photos of your event, promotional commercials, and establishment ads.
  
  
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment, Inc
  Chapman Studio Equipment has a long history of helping filmmakers and television producers create amazing visual effects. The company was established in 1945, and after partnering with Leonard Studio Equipment in 1965, the business rebranded to Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment, Inc. Since its inception, Chapman/Leonard has continuously produced and rented camera support equipment for film and television production.
  
  
• Firefly Ambiance
  The only thing that stands between you and a fantastic party is getting your hands on one of the wonderful Firefly Ambiance rentals. The business offers unique event rentals, from furnishings and decor that will take your event to the next level to arches and decorative lighting. They also provide manufacturing and design services, as well as hedge walls, bars, and festoon lighting.

Pros and Cons of Production Spaces in New Orleans

The diverse production spaces in New Orleans present endless possibilities when working on video projects. However, it is important to weigh your options in terms of analyzing the advantages and disadvantages before locking down production spaces.

Advantages

• The city has a rich culture and history that provide ample material for video production.
  
  
• The spellbound experience isn’t a myth, and it is in full display through the city’s ancient oaks and blocks of past neighborhoods. They also present embers of the bygone eras that translate as visual points of interest on the screen.
  
  
• New Orleans has a strong post-production infrastructure, so you'll have access to all the services and equipment you need.

Disadvantages

• Hurricane season falls between June to November, and for safety reasons, you should avoid scheduling your shoot/ play at that time.
  
  
• New Orleans can be a dangerous city, so you'll need to take precautions to ensure the safety of your crew.
  
  
• Traffic congestion and limited parking availability are in the New Orleans metro area.

Tips on How to Organize Productions in New Orleans

Now that you know some of the advantages and disadvantages of the production spaces in New Orleans, here are a few tips to help you get started.

• Research and understand the local film production landscape: Because production in New Orleans is uniquely rich with culture, history, architecture, and art, it is important to take the time to thoroughly explore the different locations and resources available for shooting a project in this city.
  
  
• Utilize local crew: Several experienced industry professionals living in New Orleans can provide specialized resources and services to help you create a successful shoot. Leveraging their knowledge of the area can save you time searching for vendors through online searches.
  
  
• Create an organized shoot schedule: Having a detailed plan that accounts for cast/crew availability, location needs, permits, prop/equipment needs, etc can greatly streamline your production process and help keep everyone on track during the shoot.
  
  
• Establish clear communication protocols: Regularly checking in with all members of your team helps ensure everyone is up-to-date on progress towards completing the project and provides an opportunity to discuss any issues that may arise while filming.
  
• Have a backup plan: Weather conditions in New Orleans can be unpredictable so always have another option if your primary shooting location becomes unavailable due to rain or other factors out of your control. Additionally, having alternate plans for unforeseeable circumstances such as equipment failure or other technical issues gives you peace of mind knowing you’ll still be able to complete the project on time.

Famous Locations in New Orleans

• Jackson Square
  Jackson Square is a 2.5-acre site that features a colossal courtyard. It draws over two million visitors each year, and it gets its name from the bronze statue of Andrew Jackson that resides at the Square. It has been featured as a backdrop in several popular feature films and television shows, and the Square remains one of the city’s most popular locations.
  
  
• Audubon Zoo
  Audubon Zoo is a great place to learn and interact with nature. It houses animal species from across the globe, and some of its popular attractions include the Louisiana Swamp and Jaguar Jungle where visitors can get up close with animals living in their natural habitats.
  
  
• M.S. Rau
  M.S.Rau is not your typical stuffy art gallery. No, siree! This is a place where you can find some of the most iconic and well-respected works from centuries past, all gathered in one 40,000-square-foot gallery. It is a family-run and operated business, with the collection curated by owners Bill and Rebecca Rau.