About Baton Rouge
While New Orleans might be the city most people associate with the state of Louisiana, there’s a whole lot to love about its capital, Baton Rouge. This vibrant city boasts a rich history, a mouth-wateringly good food culture, and some of the friendliest people you’ll meet anywhere in the United States.
All of these factors, combined with the city’s many cultural attractions, make Baton Rouge a filmmaker’s delight. So whether you’re putting together a corporate video, an independent production, or a major feature, let’s take a closer look at the ins and outs of filming in Baton Rouge.
Filming Options in Baton Rouge
Lights, camera, action! No matter what sort of project you’re filming in Baton Rouge, you’ll need to find the best of the best to help your finished product stand out from the crowd. Happily, there are plenty of great options to consider in the wider Baton Rouge area.
- Film Studios
Whether you need a stage for filming or access to state-of-the-art post-production equipment, you’ll find everything you need at a reputable film studio. You’d be surprised just how much difference using a professionally designed space can make to your film, so it’s worth shopping around to find the right facilities.
- Recording Studios
Sound is a crucial but often neglected aspect of any production. And if you want high-quality audio for your film, you can benefit from spending some time in a reputable recording studio. With help from an experienced sound engineer, the quality of your finished product will be top-notch.
- Historic Homes
From historic plantations to stately old homes, you’ll find plenty of spaces that ooze history and old-world charm. So if you’re searching for a unique filming venue in Baton Rouge, you’re spoiled for choice.
Filming Companies in Baton Rouge
To take your film to the next level, you’ll need help from some of the best film companies Baton Rouge has to offer.
- Celtic Studios
With almost 150,000 square feet of stage space and around 100,000 square feet of office space, Celtic Studios is the largest studio facility in Louisiana. It also offers modern post-production facilities and on-site production support, ensuring easy access to all the essentials in one location.
- Sockit Studio
Opened in 2000, Sockit Studio specializes in recording and mixing services. It also offers mastering, voice-over recording, and much more, with a team of in-house engineers to help you get the sound for your project just right.
- Film Baton Rouge
The Baton Rouge Film Commission’s purpose is to grow the city’s film and television industry. From providing free production services to offering incentives to qualifying productions, Film Baton Rouge offers a range of useful services and resources to help filmmakers on the path to success.
Pros and Cons of Filming in Baton Rouge
Wondering about Baton Rouge as a destination for filming? See the pros and cons below.
Advantages
- Rich history
With its history as a French military post and eventually as the capital city of Louisiana, Baton Rouge is home to plenty of beautiful historic buildings and sites. Maybe one of them could be your next filming location?
- Friendly people
Putting together any filming project requires a lot of teamwork and input from many people. The good news is that Baton Rouge is a friendly, welcoming city where it’s easy to make friends and form new bonds.
- Great food
Need quality catering for your film set? Thanks to Baton Rouge’s vibrant food culture, there are loads of drool-worthy options to choose from.
- Diversity
Baton Rouge is also known for its diversity. Not only does this mean that many wonderful cultural and food opportunities await, but also that you can easily reflect the area’s diversity on screen.
- Options galore
As the second-largest city in Louisiana, Baton Rouge offers plenty of possibilities for filmmakers. From locations to on-screen talent, equipment hire to editing studios, there are myriad options available.
Disadvantages
- Crime
Crime is an issue in some areas of the city, so consider the neighborhood when choosing a Baton Rouge filming location.
- Hot summers
Summertime in Baton Rouge is hot and humid, so you’ll need to consider the comfort of your cast and crew when comparing Baton Rouge filming venues.
- Rain
Baton Rouge is also one of the rainiest cities anywhere in the United States, so be prepared for precipitation to wreak havoc with your outdoor filming plans.
- Traffic congestion
Traffic congestion is part and parcel of living in Baton Rouge, but it’s also something to consider when ensuring that all cast and crew can get to your filming location on time.
- Mosquitoes and bugs
Mosquitoes and other bugs are another issue in Baton Rouge, so pack some insect repellent if you’re going to be filming outdoors.
Famous Locations in Baton Rouge
- USS Kidd
This Fletcher-class destroyer was launched in 1943 and saw action in World War II and the Korean War. Today, she’s been restored to her World War II configuration and welcomes aboard visitors keen to find out what life was like on a naval destroyer in wartime.
- Louisiana’s Old State Capitol
Recognized as a National Historic Landmark, Louisiana’s Old State Capitol is the place to go for anyone who wants to find out more about the history of this fine state. This grand structure overlooks the mighty Mississippi and is an architectural attraction in its own right, but it’s the museum inside that will have history buffs spellbound.
- Mike the Tiger Habitat
No visit to Baton Rouge is complete without checking out the habitat of Mike the Tiger, the official mascot of Louisiana State University. Stretching between Tiger Stadium and the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, this lush habitat is home to a rescued Bengal tiger known as Mike VII.
