A Message to Our Members from the LFPN

Dear Louisiana and Mississippi Members of SAG-AFTRA:

We’ve started up a group called the Louisiana Film Professionals Network (LFPN). The goal of this group is to encourage local people to make films and to help students and other interested persons get jobs in the film industry. The LFPN organizes networking events, screenings, workshops and script readings.

Todd Voltz, LFPN Event Coordinator

From the LFPN Web page: Louisiana's content producing industry is slowly developing. Film studios, sound stages, prop houses, equipment rental, external goods, and below-the-line services are being established here in Louisiana. In order to thrive, they need a steady stream of production activity. For now, the stream is provided by outside sources, such as Hollywood film studios, television networks and independent producers. Louisiana needs to anchor its entertainment industry by creating self-generating content. Once films, television shows and Web series are being written and directed by Louisiana film professionals, the industry will have longevity and truly become a vital job-creating, economic development engine for the state.

LFPN provides filmmakers with opportunities to meet with other local professionals and to assess and comment on each other’s work. The UNO Nims Center’s commitment to LFPN allows local filmmakers to show their work in an amazing HD screening room and to discuss projects in studios and conference rooms. Filmmakers are encouraged to show works in progress, finished works, sizzle reels or set up staged readings of scripts.

The Nims Center will offer workshops, equipment demonstrations, technical assistance, auditioning opportunities, and collective career advice from LFPN members and guest industry professionals.

Socializing and sharing career ideas and advice will be important to us as we work toward the common goal of growing an established base of Louisiana film industry professionals.

Ed. Note: The LFPN recently sponsored a Webinar by Leslie Krensky on SAG-AFTRA Student and Low Budget Contracts online and at the NIMS Center for SAG-AFTRA members. The Nims Center Studios New Orleans, a division of the University of New Orleans Foundation operated in cooperation with the University of New Orleans, is a major production facility located in Jefferson, Louisiana. See the studio’s website for more information about the facilities and the commercials, films, and television shows produced at the Nims Center.

The information contained herein regarding workshops, vendors, special offers and the like is provided for informational purposes and is not intended to imply endorsement by SAG-AFTRA of them or the information, material, products or services provided. SAG-AFTRA makes no warranties or representations regarding the use of the material or the quality of the services or service providers.

This item was originally featured in summer 2014 local newsletter.