local businesses
louisiana seafood
Louisiana Seafood is a vital part of the state’s economy, providing jobs, income and tax revenue, and also generating innovations that protect our coastlines and waterways. One out of every 70 jobs in Louisiana is related to the seafood industry, with many of these jobs in family-owned-and-operated companies that have worked for generations to bring the finest seafood to the tables of the world. The Louisiana Film Industry is proud to support the Louisiana Seafood Industry!
Location Gourmet, Metairie
“Last year alone, we spent approximately $350,000 on LA seafood, $500,000 if you include the product we shipped out of state. When we were shooting 1923 in Montana, for example, we had all our seafood shipped to us weekly from Craig Borges’ New Orleans Seafood. In Louisiana. I keep 15-21 residents employed throughout the year. These are people with kids and families who depend on this work.”
-Ted Kantrow
Lakehouse Catering, Covington
“We do $135,000 a year in Louisiana seafood for film catering and $500,000 overall. We also use primarily Louisiana rice, produce, and farm raised chicken. We employ up to 100 Louisiana residents in the film and entertainment space. We support a fleet of 40 vehicles worth $3 million with insurance, fuel, mechanics, propane, and a 10,000 sq ft warehouse. The impact goes far beyond just the production, it takes an extensive support staff to operate successfully. The film business is crucial to keeping us going. I would not have growth in my business without it.”
-Cayman Sinclair
Hanna Brothers Catering, Slidell
“We use about $2,000 per week in seafood for an average of 35 weeks a year, so $70,000 per year. We do make it a priority to support the economy that supports us, and besides, LA seafood is a great product. We are proud to serve Louisiana seafood. I have 4-15 full time staff in Slidell depending on how many films we are working on and I hire local as much as possible,.”
-Jim Hanna
louisiana lumber
“The Louisiana film industry uses two lumber products exclusively sourced in Louisiana. Manufactured by Roy O'Martin in Chopin, LA, BC Plywood is a high-quality structural panel used for set construction. Markel also sources I-Joists from multiple Louisiana vendors.”
Markel’s Recent Film Production Income from Louisiana-Produced Lumber
2022 – $188,847
2021 – $158,663
2020 – $86,762
2018 – $88,866
2017 – $54,362
A total of $577,520 since 2017, and rising every year!
Markel Lumber Co., nestled in the heart of Gert Town, has been committed to distributing high quality, locally sourced materials to production teams since 1923.
louisiana picture cars
“Over the past 5 years, we have directly served well over 50 film projects. We rent and purchase vehicles for productions from various vendors. We have vendors located as far West as Lake Charles and as far North as the Shreveport/Monroe areas. There are many local service vendors who support all of our needs. For example, Paul Funel with English Color, who supplies all of our auto paint and supplies. Our company has grown to include 10 employees who work directly and indirectly servicing picture cars for productions.
Show Cars has just purchased 3 ½ acres of land in St. Charles Parish for our company to expand our facilities near the I-310 corridor to serve productions in Northern and Western Louisiana.”
Filming Locations
Port Cargo Service, Elmwood
“Honestly, had I not gotten revenue from these films, I would have been in bad shape. I have 210 employees in the warehouse, and without a doubt I could have gone under. Last year alone I made 7 million in leases. That was my best year ever. In 2021, I made 2.5 million. Disney leased one of my properties for 5 years–they’re putting in $600,000 in electrical upgrades and 1.5 million in air conditioning, above what they are paying in rent. Queer as Folk put $550,000 in upgrades at my Thayer St. property. Without the tax credit program, none of this would have happened.”
-Kevin Kelly, Owner
Port Cargo Services owns extensive warehouse property throughout Jefferson, Orleans, and Ascension parishes. During COVID and amidst supply chain disruption, these properties stood empty. Mr. Kelly rented some empty warehouses as arts and construction spaces, while others were turned into sound stages. The film industry revenue enabled him to keep his warehouses at the port, which benefits the port and the workers who operate it.