Louisiana Academy of Production

Motto: Tell Your Story. Make Your Mark. Direct Your Future!

The mission of Louisiana Academy of Production is to empower the next generation of filmmakers with hands-on learning and career-ready skills so that they can shape the future of the film and television industry.

The vision is to be the national model for public education that gives students the skills and industry access required to thrive in the world of film and production.

Founded in 2023, Louisiana Academy of Production (LAAP) is an open-enrollment public charter high school dedicated to building a more inclusive pipeline of college- and career-ready students prepared for success in the film, digital media, and production industries. LAAP’s mission is to empower the next generation of filmmakers through hands-on learning and career-ready skills so they can shape the future of the film and production industry. Its vision is to become a national model for public education that equips students with the technical skills and industry access required to thrive in the world of film, production, and beyond.

Opening in July 2026 with 75 freshmen, at full scale, LAAP will serve up to 600 students annually in grades 9–12 from East Baton Rouge Parish and surrounding parishes. The school will reflect Louisiana’s diverse populations (70% BIPOC, 65% FRL), and respond to the region’s need for innovative, equitable, and career-connected education.

LAAP’s instructional model is rooted in Project-Based Learning (PBL), where students gain academic knowledge and industry skills by engaging in authentic media projects. Each student will graduate with a TOPS University Diploma, industry-based credentials through the Production Career Pathway Program, and membership in the ARRAY Crew personnel database. Students will specialize in one Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway (Post-Production, Technical, Craft, or Business of Entertainment), preparing them for college or high-wage, unionized production careers.
The school’s leadership team combines deep experience in education and industry. Executive Director Fallon Ward, a lifelong educator and former television news producer, and Principal Caesar Hendricks, an accomplished secondary education leader, bring decades of expertise in academic leadership and student success. The Board of Directors, chaired by Katie Pryor, co-founder of Film USA and a state policy leader in film and entertainment, anchors LAAP in the creative economy.

By bridging rigorous academics with hands-on industry training, LAAP will expand access to Louisiana’s growing film economy and ensure that every student graduates prepared for college and meaningful, high-wage careers.