Baton Rouge residents have experienced a surge of film crews making both small- and big-screen productions in the past few years, and this summer was no different. Lifetime television network recently wrapped its film “Facebook Detectives,” which was shot here in the Capital City.
Like most Lifetime movies, “Facebook Detectives” is rife with tropes of women in jeopardy, based-on-a-true-story-ness and outlandish plot twists, according to producer Daniel Lewis. However, Lewis said this movie will add bite to the traditional Lifetime formula.
“I would say it’s similar to [other Lifetime films], but it’s a bit more edgy. It’s a bit more dark,” Lewis explained. “Most Lifetime movies for a long time have been the same formula and the same kind of plot and the same storyline. This has a lot of twists and turns. You don’t really know who’s guilty and who’s innocent. It definitely takes you on a fun ride.”
“Facebook Detectives” was shot over the course of three weeks in a 15-day shoot. The film features downtown Baton Rouge hotspots like the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino and Hotel, The Famous Theatre and Third Street bars Boudreaux and Thibodeaux’s and Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar.
Lewis said the film was originally intended to be set and shot in New Orleans, but the filmmakers had another idea.
“It was originally scripted for New Orleans, but when we were doing our location scout, we had a lot of opportunities downtown to kind of cheat New Orleans and play Baton Rouge as New Orleans,” Lewis said. “I kind of thought to myself, ‘You know, the story’s not centered around the city of New Orleans. Why not take advantage of Baton Rouge?’”
Lewis said the movie essentially channels “Single White Female,” with current add-ins like technological innovations and social media. The plot centers around a young woman who gets her life taken over on social media, alarming her friends when she suddenly goes missing.
When her friend disappears, Jessica, played by Stacey Oristano of “Friday Night Lights” and “Bunheads” fame, becomes the head detective of the group looking into the case of the missing woman. Josh, portrayed by Stephen Colletti (“Laguna Beach,” “One Tree Hill”), plays Robin to Jessica’s Batman as he ventures to find his vanished friend.
“Facebook Detectives” is directed by Vanessa Parise, who has helmed four films, most of which have been independent, according to Lewis.
Lewis said local audiences should look forward to “Facebook Detectives” for its solid script and its recognizable landmarks.
“Facebook Detectives” will premiere on Lifetime in March 2014.
“I would say it’s similar to Lifetime, but it’s a bit more edgy. It’s a bit more dark … most Lifetime movies, for a long time have been the same formula and the same kind of plot and the same storyline. This has a lot of twists and turns. You don’t really know who’s guilty and who’s innocent. It definitely takes you on a fun ride.”

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Courtesy of Daniel Lewis