North Carolina Film Office

{{Infobox company

| name = North Carolina Film Office

| logo = FlimNC seal.png

| logo_size = 250px

| foundation = 1980

| location = Raleigh, North Carolina

| key_people = Guy Gaster (Chairman and Managing director)

| num_employees = 4

| homepage = {{URL|www.filmnc.com}}

}}

The North Carolina Film Office, originally called the North Carolina Film Commission, is a member of the Association of Film Commissioners International.[http://www.afci.org/wwwapps/profile.ami?workingSearchKeyword=north%20carolina&workingCommissionID=4605 "North Carolina Film Office"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719114919/http://www.afci.org/wwwapps/profile.ami?workingSearchKeyword=north%20carolina&workingCommissionID=4605 |date=2011-07-19 }}, Association of Film Commissioners International, Retrieved 2007-11-19.

History

File:EUE-Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington, North Carolina 3 (cropped).jpg

Founded in 1980 by Governor James B. Hunt, the office was commissioned to help facilitate and provide a base of operation for North Carolina's burgeoning film industry. Governor Hunt appointed William "Bill" Arnold to lead the office.[http://www.ncfilm.com/about-us.html "About Us"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118195655/http://www.ncfilm.com/about-us.html |date=2008-01-18 }}, North Carolina Film Office, Retrieved 2008-02-15. In 1984, producer Dino De Laurentiis created De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG). He built and based a studio complex (owned next by Carolco Pictures and then sold to EUE/Screen Gems in 1996;{{cite web|url=http://www.screengemsstudios.com/ |title=EUE/Screen Gems |publisher=Screengemsstudios.com |access-date=2013-08-19}}{{Cite web |last=WECT Staff |first= |date=October 18, 2023 |title=Old logo removed after sale of local movie studio to Cinespace |url=https://www.wect.com/2023/10/18/old-logo-removed-after-sale-local-movie-studio-cinespace/ |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=WECT |language=en}} now owned by Cinespace Studios{{Cite web |last=WECT Staff |first= |date=September 27, 2023 |title=Cinespace Studios buys EUE/Screen Gems studio in Wilmington |url=https://www.wect.com/2023/09/27/cinespace-studios-buys-wilmington-euescreen-gems-studio/ |access-date=September 28, 2023 |website=WECT |language=en}}) in Wilmington, North Carolina. The area quickly became one of the biggest production centers for film and television east of Hollywood. The North Carolina Film Office was created when new technology, audience demand for location authenticity, and film studios' need for lower production costs were driving filmmakers to search for new locations in the US to make movies.

With Bill Arnold leading, the North Carolina Film Commission saw a major increase in film production during the 1980s and 1990s. Notable films made during this time include: The Color Purple (1985),[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088939/locations The Color Purple (1985) - Filming Locations - IMDb] Dirty Dancing (1987),[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092890/locations Dirty Dancing (1987) - Filming Locations - IMDb] Bull Durham (1988),[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094812/locations Bull Durham (1988) - Filming Locations - IMDb] Days of Thunder (1990),[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099371/locations Days of Thunder (1990) - Filming Locations - IMDb] Sleeping with the Enemy (1991),[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102945/locations Sleeping with the Enemy (1991) - Filming Locations - IMDb] Last of the Mohicans (1992),[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104691/locations The Last of the Mohicans (1992) - Filming Locations - IMDb] The Fugitive (1993),[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106977/locations The Fugitive (1993) - Filming Locations - IMDb] and The Crow (1994).[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109506/locations The Crow (1994) - Filming Locations - IMDb] In 1998 Wilmington became the home of the WB's critically acclaimed television network series Dawson's Creek. The series remained in Wilmington until 2003 when it was cancelled and replaced with One Tree Hill—a series on The WB/CW that calls North Carolina "home." One Tree Hill ended in 2012 after nine seasons.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368530/locations "ONE TREE HILL: Filming Locations"], Internet Movie Database, Retrieved on 2007-11-19.

While Wilmington, NC continued to sustain itself with television, the international film climate began to shift out of North Carolina's favor. In an effort to keep production costs even cheaper, early 2000 saw production companies making films internationally.Carvajal, Doreen [http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/05/18/news/cash.php "The Cannes Festival: A modern twist on 'location, location, location'"], International Herald Tribune, May 18, 2005, Retrieved on 2007-11-19 The North Carolina Film Commission was made most aware of this trend when it lost Charles Frazier's North Carolina tale, Cold Mountain,[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0159365/locations "COLD MOUNTAIN: Filming Locations"], Internet Movie Database, Retrieved on 2007-11-19. to the country of Romania.Fellerath, David, [http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A20684 "North Carolina gets its close-up"], Independent Weekly, December 13, 2003, Retrieved 2007-11-19. Hoping to bring an international industry back to the United States, many lawmakers across the US began creating incentives packages to encourage filming in individual states. North Carolina's legislature decided on pursuing a competitive incentive program.Sperling, Nicole, [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1498029 "North Carolina trying to lure more prod'ns"]{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, The Hollywood Reporter, May 22, 2002, Retrieved on 2007-11-19. On August 8, 2006, Governor Mike F. Easley signed into law a legislation offering productions a full 15% tax credit on a minimum $250,000 spend in North Carolina (and not to exceed a $7.5M credit.) [http://www.ncfilm.com/incentives-benefits/nc-film-incentive.html "NC Film Incentive"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216001538/http://www.ncfilm.com/incentives-benefits/nc-film-incentive.html |date=2008-02-16 }}, North Carolina Film Office, Retrieved 2008-02-15. Since this program's inception, the NC Film Office has seen a substantial increase in production, as have other state's that have established similar programs.Donnahue, Ann, [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i00627c6566fe8f5f2b526ecac90a53ee "MADE IN AMERICA: Incentive to stay"]{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, The Hollywood Reporter, November 1, 2006, Retrieved on 2007-11-20. Since 2006, the North Carolina Film Office has recruited the following films: George Clooney's Leatherheads (2008);[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379865/locations Leatherheads (2008) - Filming Locations - IMDb] Nights in Rodanthe (2008),[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0956038/locations Nights in Rodanthe (2008) - Filming Locations - IMDb] starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane; The Marc Pease Experience (2008),[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0913413/locations The Marc Pease Experience (2009) - Filming Locations - IMDb] with Ben Stiller; and Bolden (2019),[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0858419/locations Bolden (2019) - Filming & production - IMDb] a film about the life of jazz legend Buddy Bolden.

In September 2006, Commissioner Bill Arnold retired after 26 years of service to North Carolina's film industry.[http://www.ncfilm.com/news/31/115.html "State Film Office Hires New Director"], North Carolina Film Office, March 3, 2007, Retrieved 2008-02-15. The North Carolina Film Office is now part of the NC Department of Commerce's Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development. Aaron Syrett (former Director of the Utah Film Commission) was hired as Director of the North Carolina Film Office in spring 2007; his tenure ended at the end of July 2014.[http://www.afci.org/news/releases_10.htm "NC State Film Office Hires New Director"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016132627/http://www.afci.org/news/releases_10.htm |date=2007-10-16 }}, Association of Film Commissioners International, no date, Retrieved on 2007-11-20.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wral.com/state-film-commissioner-leaving-post/13794133/|title=State film commissioner leaving post|date=8 July 2014}} While building upon North Carolina's legacy, Syrett is taking a 21st-century approach to boost the global visibility of North Carolina's resources.[http://www.ncfilm.com/about-us.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118195655/http://www.ncfilm.com/about-us.html|date=January 18, 2008}}

Organization

=Responsibilities=

The North Carolina Film Office has 3 main responsibilities: market the State of North Carolina, serve the film industry, and serve the State of North Carolina. The office actively works to create a healthy climate in which to grow film industry economic development. A marketing agency as well, the film office educates the film industry on North Carolina's incentives program, promotes the state's infrastructure, and showcases North Carolina's diverse locations.

Projects (including film, television and commercial) are actively recruited and nurtured by the office. The office encourages industry-related companies to headquarter or have satellite companies in the state. The office ultimately serves the State of North Carolina by keeping and creating jobs in North Carolina for film crew and related businesses. As such, the film office must serve the film industry in an efficient and engaging capacity. The office hosts location scouts for producers and also provides on-the-ground assistance before and during filming. The North Carolina Film Office is the official liaison between the industry and state agencies for state property use, highway assistance, and other issues.

The office has always maintained sophisticated communications with the film industry. Not only has it maintained an informative website, but also it has supported the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and for 9 years sponsored the American Film Market. Every spring the office participates in the Locations Trade Show hosted by the Association of Film Commissioners International in Santa Monica, CA. Members of the office make regular trips to Los Angeles, CA to meet with producers and also visit Park City, UT every January to network at the Sundance Film Festival.

=Regional film commissions=

The North Carolina Film Office works in tandem with six affiliate offices that are both publicly and privately maintained. All are certified by the Association of Film Commissioners International.[http://www.ncfilm.com/filming-in-nc/affiliate-offices.html "Regional Commissions"], North Carolina Film Office, Retrieved on 2007-11-20.

[https://web.archive.org/web/20071223141646/http://www.charlotteusa.com/Film/film_overview.asp Charlotte Regional Film Commission] [http://www.afci.org/wwwapps/profile.ami?workingSearchKeyword=north%20carolina&workingCommissionID=4467 "Charlotte Regional Film Commission"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719114937/http://www.afci.org/wwwapps/profile.ami?workingSearchKeyword=north%20carolina&workingCommissionID=4467 |date=2011-07-19 }}, Association of Film Commissioners International, Retrieved on 2007-11-20.
[http://www.trianglencfilm.com/ Triangle Regional Film Commission] [http://www.afci.org/film-commissions/triangle-regional-film-commission Triangle Regional Film Commission], Association of Film Commissioners International, Retrieved on 2015-02-18.{{Dead link|date=January 2024}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20071227230346/http://www.filmeast.net/portal/news.php Eastern North Carolina Regional Film Commission] [http://www.afci.org/wwwapps/profile.ami?workingSearchKeyword=north%20carolina&workingCommissionID=4756 "Eastern North Carolina Regional Film Commission"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719115019/http://www.afci.org/wwwapps/profile.ami?workingSearchKeyword=north%20carolina&workingCommissionID=4756 |date=2011-07-19 }}, Association of Film Commissioners International, Retrieved on 2007-11-20.
[http://www.piedmontfilm.com/ Piedmont-Triad Film Commission] [http://www.afci.org/wwwapps/profile.ami?workingSearchKeyword=north%20carolina&workingCommissionID=4633 "Piedmont-Triad Film Commission"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719115039/http://www.afci.org/wwwapps/profile.ami?workingSearchKeyword=north%20carolina&workingCommissionID=4633 |date=2011-07-19 }}, Association of Film Commissioners International, Retrieved on 2007-11-20.
[https://archive.today/20121208134939/http://www.advantagewest.com/content.cfm/content_id/152/section/film Western North Carolina Film Commission] [http://www.afci.org/wwwapps/profile.ami?workingSearchKeyword=north%20carolina&workingCommissionID=4710 "Western North Carolina Film Commission"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719115055/http://www.afci.org/wwwapps/profile.ami?workingSearchKeyword=north%20carolina&workingCommissionID=4710 |date=2011-07-19 }}, Association of Film Commissioners International, Retrieved on 2007-11-20.
[http://www.wilmington-film.com/ Wilmington Regional Film Commission, Inc.] [http://www.afci.org/wwwapps/profile.ami?workingSearchKeyword=north%20carolina&workingCommissionID=4716 "Wilmington Regional Film Commission, Inc."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719115110/http://www.afci.org/wwwapps/profile.ami?workingSearchKeyword=north%20carolina&workingCommissionID=4716 |date=2011-07-19 }}, Association of Film Commissioners International, Retrieved on 2007-11-20.

=Film Council=

The North Carolina Film Office has a staff of 4. Until July 2014, the director of the North Carolina Film Office was Aaron Syrett (2007–2014). In addition to working with affiliate commissions, the North Carolina Film Office is also supported by a governor-appointed group who offer advice and guidance in the interest of North Carolina's film industry. Notable members include casting director, Craig Fincannon, founder of the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, Nancy Buirski, and former president of Universal Pictures, Thom Mount. Studio executive Frank Capra Jr. was also a member of the council until his death in 2007.[http://www.ncfilm.com/about-us/nc-film-council.html "North Carolina Film Council"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216001419/http://www.ncfilm.com/about-us/nc-film-council.html |date=2008-02-16 }}, North Carolina Film Office, Retrieved on 2008-02-15.

Film incentives program

As of January 2015, North Carolina has implemented a new Film and Entertainment Grant program. Funds from the $10 million grant will serve as a rebate of up to 25% on qualified expenses/purchases of productions.
The previous tax credit ended as of January 1, 2015, after the Republican-controlled NC legislature chose to let the film incentives legislation sunset as one piece of a larger plan to end most incentive funding, in favor of lower corporate income taxes.{{Cite web|last=Craver|first=Richard Winston-Salem Journal|title=Curtailing of state film incentives hampers ability to compete for major productions|url=https://journalnow.com/news/local/curtailing-of-state-film-incentives-hampers-ability-to-compete-for-major-productions/article_ea40df39-9cbc-5c40-b1b7-d36956e84e11.html|access-date=2021-09-23|website=Winston-Salem Journal|language=en}}
Complete information on the new grant program is available at [http://www.nccommerce.com/film www.nccommerce.com/film].