2020: A Reflection from Executive Director Chris Stelly

With a normal start to 2020, Louisiana was poised for another record-breaking year in motion picture production, sound recording, live performance, and digital interactive media. In February, we hosted our third annual Statewide Entertainment Summit in Baton Rouge. The sold-out audience topped previous summits and plans were underway for 2021 in New Orleans.

Then the entire world changed with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. At least 15 productions filming within the state had to shut down. Live performances and festivals were postponed and eventually cancelled as the pandemic raged. Leaders in the entertainment industry began working with health care professionals and scientists to develop extensive guidelines that would allow the film industry to safely resume across the globe. State and local film officials enhanced the guidelines to ensure Louisiana filmmakers were adequately armed in order to return to sets safely. By the end of 2020, most of the productions that were filming at the time of the outbreak resumed production in Louisiana - with safety measures in place that  protect not only the cast and crew but also our residents. We are anticipating a very busy 2021.

Unfortunately, theaters and live performance venues remain largely closed. By the end of 2020, Congress passed the Shuttered Venue Grant program making much-needed relief available in early 2021. Major live events and festivals are targeting a much welcome return in late 2021.

History will likely view 2020 as the pivot to industry-altering change. The temporary closure of movie theaters led to a number of films shot in Louisiana to premiere on streaming platforms with great success. Films such as:

• Baton Rouge-shot drama, Greyhound, starring Tom Hanks, set a new record for Apple TV+

• New Orleans-shot thriller, Project Power, was the top-streamed film on Netflix in the first two weeks of its release

With touring on hold, most Louisiana recording artists kept busy writing and recording. This will usher in a renaissance of sorts with an abundance of new music from local musicians. Louisiana music fans can expect an explosion of new music from all sectors. In closing, if 2020 taught us anything, it will have taught us the importance of thinking outside of the box and learning to adapt. Louisiana Entertainment, a division of Louisiana Economic Development, will continue our efforts to create jobs for the citizens of this state. We will continue working tirelessly to promote every community as a great place to live and work and we will do it with safety top of mind. This year is slated to be a banner year for Louisiana entertainment. We will keep you informed of opportunities and successes as the year progresses.

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Read the Winter 2021 Entertainment Vitals update here.

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