Local actors are itching to return to work, but it’s been a challenging year for Louisiana’s booming film industry.

In Brief
• Working actors in Louisiana are eager to return to work after a challenging year due to writers’ and actors’ strikes halting production.
• Thanks to a settlement, the show must go on; the new three-year deal increases actor pay, protects against using their digital likeness through AI, and provides a larger share of streaming revenue.
• Louisiana’s Entertainment head, Chris Stelly, is optimistic about the future and expects major production to return this year.
• Members are expected to vote on the new deal next week; Wendell Pierce looks forward to returning to filming on his CBS series “S” by December.
• The spotlight is on Hollywood South as productions look forward to resuming.

With strikes from both writers and actors, production was brought to a screeching halt. However, thanks to a settlement, the show must go on.

Working actor and local SAG president Jim Gleeson believes the producers were forced to negotiate and find a resolution due to the lack of content for upcoming seasons.

The hard work paid off as a tentative deal was reached between the union and major studios.

Actor Wendell Pierce praises the energy put into the negotiations and the meaningful agreement.

The new three-year deal increases actor pay and protects against using their digital likeness through AI. Moreover, actors will receive a larger share of streaming revenue, which was lacking in the previous structure. This is great news for shows like “Suits,” a top performer on Netflix, as actors will now receive residuals.

Louisiana’s Entertainment head, Chris Stelly, is optimistic about the future and expects major production to return to the state before the year ends. The potential for more production to come into the state is exciting.

Members are expected to vote on the new deal next week, and despite the challenges faced this year, Hollywood South has proven its resilience. Wendell Pierce is looking forward to being back in front of the camera by December, particularly with his co-starring role in the new series “S,” which will be airing on CBS.

The stage is set, and the spotlight is back on Hollywood South.