About New Orleans

The food! The festivals! The people! The drinks! Of course, this describes New Orleans and its most popular features. A city that embraces its rich culture while it opens its arms to the cultures and the traditions of its visitors. Everyone is at home on NOLA.

Whatever the time of year, the season, or the month, New Orleans is the place for business or pleasure or both. The Big Easy has been described as Hollywood South, and it has played a prominent role in the film and video industries. The city is home to over 380,000 people, but the New Orleans MSA is home to over 1.2 million. Founded by French colonists in 1718, it served as the territorial capital before becoming a part of the US in 1803 via the Louisiana Purchase.

Historically, the city is vulnerable to flooding due to poor drainage, low elevations, and the nearness to multiple bodies of water. The area is protected by a complex system of pumps, levees, and floodwalls to protect those living within the city’s natural elevation of seven feet below mean sea level. New Orleans is a popular site for video shoot locations given the variety of modern cityscapes and historic architecture.

Video Shoot Location Options in New Orleans

New Orleans is rich in locations because of the diverse economy, sectors of industry, and population. The video shoot locations in New Orleans match any genre, message, or brand. The traditional production sound stages within the city are booked well in advance.

• Staging
  All products and services in this category are supported by local companies in New Orleans. These services include set designers, crews, grips, and contract labor. The New Orleans Video Access Center holds regular training sessions for those wanting an introduction and a career within the video production industry.
  
  
• Catering
  The menu options available in New Orleans need no introduction. In addition to the famous Cajun cuisine, New Orleans hosts local restauranteurs offering a variety of Asian, Greek, traditional American, French, Latino, and, of course, seafood.
  
  
• Production
  A video shoot can be outsourced, and there are many locally-based production companies offering services from writing to final editing. The end-product video can be shot in New Orleans using local talent and knowledge.

Video Shoot Location Companies in New Orleans

The choices of ancillary services supporting the video industry continue to expand in New Orleans. As video production locations in New Orleans continue to gain popularity given the industry-friendly environment, it is only natural that the companies supporting video production will follow the lead.

• The Production HUB
  This website holds true to its HUB description. The video industry relies on this resource as its clearinghouse of listed companies providing products and services within the scope of a video shoot. This solution-based system provides references and contact information of companies to complete the team for the shoot and to source the necessary equipment, fixturing, and furnishings.
  
  
• New Orleans Catering
  New Orleans Catering has been serving fantastic food to locals and visitors since 1981. They love what they do, and it shows in the delightful and thoughtful dishes they serve. The range expands from Cajun to barbecue and from charcuterie to crawfish. Whatever the venue or size of the group, all choices are available at New Orleans Catering.
  
  
• The Moxie
  Moxie Productions is based in New Orleans with 35 years of experience in branding events, productions, or fundraisers with innovative, scripted content and post-production services. The end video product can be live-streamed, on-air, or within a website. The content and messaging are known for creativity, high-tech equipment, and polished aesthetics created by the talented design staff.

Pros and Cons of Video Shoot Locations in New Orleans

When informed decisions are applied to logistics, the pros and cons of anything can be managed. Listed below are items to consider for video shoot locations in New Orleans. These items are an attempt to address all considerations of the time schedule and the support of a video shoot, as well as the comfort and recreation for the crew.

Advantages

• Choice
  The range of choices for style and character are all found in New Orleans. From traditional Southern, Spanish, or French-styled homes, built sound stages or any sidewalk will add flavor and authenticity to the location of any shoot.
  
  
• Transportation
  Since the companies providing all ancillary and supportive services to a video shoot are located in the city, travel can be light when services are pre-arranged.
  
  
• Weather
  As is typical in the south, the climate is hot and humid in the summer months with temperatures ranging between 72° to 92°F, and 48° to 65°F in the winter. The wet season is June-September with a 40% chance of rain nearly every day.

Disadvantages

• Weather
  This category falls within both the advantage and the disadvantage sections, particularly for outdoor video shoot locations. The optimal weather is in early spring and the month of October.
  
  
• High costs
  Everything costs more in New Orleans so plan your budget accordingly.
  
  
• Competitive market
  The geographic limits of iconic neighborhoods, structures, and the port make for a tight market at highly competitive prices. Most location rentals, lodging, catering, and other related services need to be made at least one year in advance.
  

Famous Locations in New Orleans

• The French Quarter
  With its unique architecture and quaint shops, the French Quarter becomes a video shoot by wandering the streets. You can find some fantastic dining establishments here featuring Cajun and other cuisines as well. There are voodoo and food tours to complete the exposure to the New Orleans experience.
  
  
• New Orleans Museum of Art
  With a permanent collection of over 40 thousand items dating back 5,000 years, you will be in awe of the magnitude of variety here. You can see the 1909 Seamstress at the Window painting by Renoir as well as pieces by Picasso, Monet, Degas, and O’Keeffe. There is also a special section for work done by local artists.
  
  
• Steamboat Ride on the Mississippi River
  The New Orleans experience is not complete without a ride on the Natchez Steamboat on the Mississippi. The most popular are the brunch rides and the jazz cruises with buffet-styled service of authentic Cajun food and popular New Orleans cocktails. See the city from a unique view on the river where you can get some stunning photos.