Film productions invest millions in NC, SC

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Film production is ramping up in the Charlotte area. According to the Charlotte Film Commissionthere have been five major movie projects underway this summer alone.

Some of the projects include a Hallmark film shot in Salisbury, an independent film called “Second Time Around”, and another independent film called “SITE”.

NoDa residents also recently spotted Saturday Night Live Please Don’t Destroy Comedy Threesome the filming of a new comedy film, but the Charlotte Film Commission could not comment on the project.

Productions recently created nearly 2,000 jobs around Charlotte, the Commission said WCNCCharlotte. These jobs include set builders, crew members, hair and makeup.

“We have set workers, all locals, working for us on the film,” said ‘SITE’ producer Ben Cooke. The movie is a sci-fi thriller that will be released in 2023 on streaming platforms.

Over the past few weeks, “SITE” has toured Badin and Shelby. Now they’re building sets to film inside a warehouse just outside Uptown Charlotte.

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“We searched all over the country, even across Europe, to make this film, starting at the start of the year,” Cooke explained.

What made his team choose North Carolina was the growing film community and resources. Additionally, Cooke said the Charlotte Regional Film Commission helped them locate filming locations.

WCNC Charlotte always asks “where’s the money?” If you need help, email WCNC Charlotte [email protected].

Cooke is originally from Los Angeles, but said North Carolina’s rebate incentives for filmmakers lured him to the Tar Heel state. The film still has two weeks of shooting and is looking for extras. Cooke said those interested can reach him via the film’s website.

It turns out that the incentives also attract many other producers. According to North Carolina Film Bureaumore than 30 projects applied for the grant program this year.

Guy Gaster, director of the North Carolina Film Office, told WCNC Charlotte that the state grants program brings money to the state by attracting productions that will invest millions in local economies.

“IIt’s an instant injection of cash into those local economies,” Gaster said.

According to Gaster, film projects invested $416 million in North Carolina in 2021. As of July 1, 2022, productions have spent $180 million in the state and created 11,000 jobs so far this year.

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“Everything you see on camera has usually been bought or rented and it’s all spent with local businesses where the filming takes place,” Gaster explained.

South Carolina also offers incentive discounts for filmmakers. South Carolina Film Commission reports that in 2021, productions spent more than $92 million in the state and created more than 3,000 jobs.

Contact Julia Kauffman at [email protected] and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and instagram.