Are We Rolling? is a behind-the-scenes podcast where producers Jason Waggenspack, Todd Lewis, and Frank Monteleone break down how films actually get made. From development to financing to swapping set stories, the trio shares real behind-the-scenes anecdotes, hard-earned lessons, and what it takes to keep projects — and Louisiana’s film industry — rolling.

Episode 3: Is Louisiana’s film scene temporary or sustainable?

Jason, Frank, and Todd on the question at the heart of every film hub: does it feel like it's here to stay? They unpack what makes Louisiana a real filmmaking home, from crew depth, to tax incentives, and Academy Award-wins, and why the work of selling it never really stops. Plus: the federal film tax credit, the reshuffling of indie budgets, and an inside look at a recent Tom McCarthy film that proved New Orleans can deliver.

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  • Show Notes

    00:00–00:10 — Cold open: Does it feel temporary or sustainable?

    00:10–01:20 — Welcome to Episode 3 of Are We Rolling? Introducing today's topic: what makes a film hub?

    01:20–02:15 — Defining a film hub: crew base, consistent output, and the markets beyond LA and New York

    02:15–04:00 — How tax credits drive production decisions: chasing incentives vs. chasing locations

    04:00–05:15 — Why Louisiana wins on more than just tax credits: labor costs, crew talent, and Oscar recognition

    05:15–07:30 — Temporary vs. sustainable: what it really takes to build an industry over eight years

    07:30–09:15 — Selling Louisiana to every filmmaker that comes in, and the export vs. import mentality

    09:15–10:35 — Texas without tax credits: how iconic names like Robert Rodriguez, Taylor Sheridan, and Matthew McConaughey build a hub anyway

    10:35–12:15 — What's happening in Louisiana right now: mid-majors, Indies, and bigger budgets starting to arrive

    12:15–13:35 — Redefining independent film after the strikes: budget tiers, Netflix, and the reshuffling ahead

    13:35–16:30 — Introducing Full Armor Films: the five-picture slate, export mentality, and genre-agnostic storytelling

    16:30–18:45 — Indie on steroids: theatrical releases, in-house distribution, and treating film like a real business

    18:45–20:25 — Finding and nurturing local writing talent: Louisiana's storytelling pedigree and the Full Armor Conservatory

    20:25–22:10 — Kelly Marcel and the Conservatory's mission: raising up the next wave of Louisiana filmmakers

    22:10–24:45 — New Orleans as a creative home: the Coppola house, Mojo Coffee, and why writers keep coming back

    24:45–26:55 — The federal film tax credit: what it is, how it stacks, and why Louisiana could hit 55% on labor

    26:55–29:20 — The politics of the federal incentive: bipartisan support, Trump, and what happens if it passes

    29:20–31:10 — Runaway production overseas: why financial incentives have to compete with established European film hubs

    31:10–35:25 — Stars in commercials, Taylor Sheridan, and what consistent work looks like in today's industry

    35:25–37:00 — What are you watching? DTF Saint Louis, Fallout, The Roosters, and the Overlook Film Festival

    37:00–41:05 — Inside the Tom McCarthy project: Paul Rudd, Paul Giamatti, tier two filmmaking, and what made it special

    41:05–44:00 — What Anora and 12 Angry Men teach us about indie budgets and generous set cultures

    44:00–45:20 — Louisiana well received: from the crew to the execs at Anonymous Content

    45:20–49:00 — Viewer question: a film everyone loves that you really don't like

    49:00–53:00 — Train Dreams, Conclave, and the difference between respecting a film and enjoying it

    53:00–49:00 — The privilege of filmmaking: seeing into worlds we don't normally get to see

    49:00–end — Wrap: Were we rolling?

    Further reading on people + projects mentioned

    Full Armor Films https://fullarmorfilms.com

    Kelly Marcel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Marcel

    Tom McCarthy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_McCarthy_(director)

    Federal Film Tax Incentive https://deadline.com/2025/12/white-house-meeting-federal-film-production-tax-incentive-1236637457/

    Coming to The Ranch (untitled Tom McCarthy project) https://variety.com/2026/film/news/tom-mccarthy-sony-pictures-classics-1236633431/

    Anora https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28607951/

    Train Dreams https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14241974/

    Robert Rodriguez https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Rodriguez

    Taylor Sheridan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Sheridan

    Overlook Film Festival https://overlookfilmfest.com

    Sway Box Animation https://swaybox.com

Episode 2: Are We Saying Yes?

Jason, Todd, and Frank on how producers decide what to say yes to, why rejection is built into the process, and how passion, business, timing, and people all factor into whether a project actually gets made. Along the way, they explore why Louisiana continues to matter as a filmmaking home — from incentives and infrastructure to the creative energy that keeps stories, crews, and long-term partnerships rooted here.

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Episode 1: Well, Are We?

Jason, Todd, and Frank introduce themselves and dig into what are we rolling means, the many kinds of producers, how long a project can take to be finished, and why so many bad movies get made.

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