The Film Industry in North Carolina
My current knowledge of the movie business in our state is not extensive, although I know that an increasing number of movie, television and commercial projects are being filmed in North Carolina. Screen Gems, in Wilmington, is the largest film studio east of Hollywood and North Carolina ranks as the country's number threefilmmaking state, behind California and New York.
I have a number of questions that I would like to answer with this project. For instance, I am curious as to whether the industry is still on the rise or in decline. I have heard rumors that the emerging market for filming in Canada may end up taking business away from North Carolina, and that the number of projects is actually declining. I have a personal interest in knowing the current state and the future of the industry, as I am an aspiring screenwriter who would love to work in this field, yet still be able to remain in the South. Another of my questions is very practical - where can I find a job, and where should I begin looking? My audience is any number of young and/or aspiring filmmakers, writers, or film enthusiasts like myself who want to see North Carolina become an established part of the movie industry.
Keyword
searches
· UNC library catalog (advanced search)
film industry AND North Carolina
motion picture AND North Carolina
· Academic Universe (Lexis-Nexis - guided search)
Film AND industry AND North Carolina (last 10 years)
Wilmington, NC AND motion picture studio (1980 - 1993)
· Web search engine (http://www.yahoo.com)
Exact phrase "North Carolina film industry"
Film AND Wilmington, NC
Print sources:
· North Carolina Motion Picture Industry. Report of the Motion Picture
Industry Commission: report to the 1989 General Assembly of North Carolina.
Raleigh: The Commission, 1989. Call number: C971.65 W74n2 (NCC)
· On location, North Carolina: official state film and video directory. Raleigh: NC Film Office, 1994. Call number: B22 15: 058 1994 (NCC State Docs Collection)
Non-paper source:
· "The Crow" (videorecording) / Miramax/Dimension Films. Burbank,
CA: distributed by Buena Vista Home Video, 1994. Call number: 3691 (Lilly A-V)
* This feature film brought a new level of notoriety and attention
to the Wilmington film scene when its star, Brandon Lee, was killed by a prop
gun that, unbeknownst to the crew, still had a bullet lodged in a chamber.
Academic Universe sources
· Associated Press State and Local Wire. (2001, Aug. 1) Film industry
says incentives needed to keep projects in the U.S. 641 words. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS
(2002, February 2).
· Associated Press State and Local Wire. (2000, Aug. 26) Wilmington studio
lands big-budget comedy as Hollywood productions gear up. 453 words. Available:
LEXIS-NEXIS (2002, February 3)
· Associated Press State and Local Wire. (2000, July 6) Film industry
would get state help under bill approved by House. 193 words. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS
(2002, February 2).
· Ballard, Allison. (2001, Dec 22). Quiet on the set - too quiet for
Wilmington. The Star News (Online), Available: LEXIS-NEXIS (2002, February
2).
· PR Newswire. (1990, Jan 18) North Carolina Film Industry Revenues Top
$314 Million in 1989. 2006 words. Available: LEXIS-NEXIS (2002, February 3).
· Schneider, Wolf. (1987, Jan 25). Riding High, N.C. Gets Galloping Start
of '88 Production. The Hollywood Reporter (Online), 886 words. Available:
LEXIS-NEXIS (2002, February 3).
Web Sites
· The North Carolina
Film Commission
http://www.ncfilm.com
This page was a comprehensive guide to North Carolina's mission as an up-and-coming
location for the feature film industry. It lists the goals and marketing strategy
that our state uses to sell North Carolina to other states and countries. It
also gives the history of the industry and lists past films shot in NC. Includes
lots of information on possible locations and local shooting regulations, as
well as labor laws - there's even a search engine that selects a North Carolina
location appropriate to a particular film by entering keywords or selecting
categories or regions.
Source: North Carolina Department of Commerce.
· North Carolina
General Assembly (Senate Bill 693)
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/html2001/bills/CurrentVersion/senate/sbil0693.full.html
A copy of a Senate Bill titled "An Act to Provide Incentives for the Development
of the Film Industry in North Carolina,"presented during the 2001 session.
Accounts for state tax refunds and grants for Film Industry Development Account.
This bill reflects our state legislature's response to the threat from rising
production in Canada, and their commitment to keeping the film industry in North
Carolina.
Source: North Carolina General Assembly
· Spotlight on North Carolina Film Productions
http://www.moviemaker.com/
An article about the growing popularity of Wilmington among Hollywood actors
and industry employees. Describes the benefits of filming in Wilmington, the
growth of the industry over the years, and gives some history as to how the
establishment of the studios came about.
Source: Movie Maker Magazine (Online)
· Tar Heel Films
http://tarheelfilms.com/
This page describes itself as the "leading North Carolina film production
news and information portal." On the Tar Heel Films web page, film enthusiasts
can post reviews, seek actors or crew members for productions, search for work,
provide information about current film projects, and other relevant information
to local filmmakers.
Source: Tar Heel Films
· Screen Gems Studios
- Wilmington, NC
http://www.screengemsstudios.com/
An overview of the largest film production studio east of Hollywood, with links
to the commercial production companies which use the studio, bios of studio
executives, and descriptions of available facilities such as soundstages, backlots,
and wardrobe and makeup facilities.
Source: EUE Screen Gems Studios
Wilmington, NC as 'Hollywood East?"
For the last few years, Wilmington, NC has been billed as "Hollywood East." Home to the largest studio east of Hollywood and located in the nation's third-largest motion picture-making state, Wilmington ensured its reputation when it became the location for the WB drama series "Dawson's Creek." But is the Wilmington film industry still booming or will a poor economy and a serious threat from Canadian filmmakers spell doom for North Carolina?
In 1984, Italian film producer Dino DeLaurentis decided to open a production facility in Wilmington after coming to the area to film "Firestarter." DEG Studios, as it was known, was later sold to Carolco Pictures, then again in 1996 to its current owner, EUE/Screen Gems, Ltd. Frank Capra Jr., the son of famed director Frank Capra, is the president of Screen Gems. (1) He currently works at the North Carolina studios and teaches at UNC-Wilmington.
The allure of Wilmington, with its mild climate and proximity to a wide variety of possible shooting locations, was compounded by the lower labor costs of a right-to-work state, a pool of actors and technicians, and no standing fees or permits." (2)
Hollywood faced competition from southeastern film studios in the mid-80s, when these states began to realize the lucrative and glamorous nature of a local movie industry. (3)
Wilmington, in particular, thrived in the mid-80s and the '90s. In 1989, the North Carolina film industry had revenues of 314.3 million. (4) When "Dawson's Creek" chose Wilmington as a shooting location, business was booming. Feature films like "Black Knight", "28 Days", and "I Know What You Did Last Summer" were filmed in Wilmington. The film industry positively benefited the city's tourism, stores, and restaurants.
The future of film in Wilmington, however, seems uncertain. Canada has emerged as a major production location, since tax breaks make production cheaper and a stronger US dollar buys more. NC legislators have been working on bills to encourage the film industry by providing tax breaks for production companies. (5)
The production income of Screen Gems dropped from $163 million in 1997 to $66 million in 2000, and the number of made-for-TV movies, which have traditionally provided the studio with a great source of revenue, has dropped from "two dozen a year to two or three." (6)
NOTES:
(1) Mowry, Lisa, "Getaway: Quick Trips and Good Deals; Hollywood East,"
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, (1999, Apr. 21) Also Available (Online):
LEXIS-NEXIS (3 February, 2002)
(2) Honeycutt, Kirk, "North Carolina Getting its Fifth Filming Facility," The Hollywood Reporter, (1992, July 29) Also Available (Online): LEXIS-NEXIS (2 February 2002)
(3) Harmetz, Aljean, "Hollywood Competitors Rise From Texas To The Carolinas," The New York Times, (1985, Apr. 8) Also Available (Online): LEXIS-NEXIS (3 February, 2002)
(4) PR Newswire, "North Carolina Film Industry Revenues Top $314 Million in 1989." (1990, Jan. 18) Also Available (Online): LEXIS-NEXIS (4 February, 2002)
(5) Associated Press State and Local wire, "State Trying to Stem Production Flight to Canada." (2000, July 3) Also Available (Online): LEXIS-NEXIS (3 February, 2002)
(6) Associated Press State and Local wire, "Film industry says incentives needed to keep projects in the U.S." (2001, Aug. 1) Also Available (Online): LEXIS-NEXIS (4 February, 2002)
THREE WEB SITES:
North Carolina Film Commission
http://www.ncfilm.com
Clearly organized and informative source of data, past and current, on productions
in North Carolina and revenue generated.
Source: NC Department of Commerce
Screen Gems Studios - Wilmington,
NC
http://www.screengemsstudios.com
Gives information about the facilities available at the studio and the people
that run it.
Source: EUE Screen Gems Studios
NCFVD - General Information
http://www.telefilm-south.com/NC/OLNC/info.shtml
Breakdown of North Carolina's goals for the state in the film industry, additional
information about revenues and current standing.
Source: 2001/2002 North Carolina Film and Video Directory
Page last updated April 14, 2002