North Carolina is having one of its best years ever for film activity, according to Aaron Syrett, director of the N.C. Film Office. “All in all, 25 movie and television projects have committed to North Carolina this year,” Syrett said. “We’re seeing a real resurgence in activity.” The N.C. Film Office is an arm of state government that was created 30 years ago to encourage the state’s fledgling film industry. Syrett said that such projects can have an “immediate impact” on local economies as productions hire extras and technical crews, along with the purchase of everything from lumber to lunches. “It’s like backing up a dump truck and dumping money directly into the economy,” Syrett said.
Chris Canoutas of Shelby, who owns the Pleasant City Wood Fired Grille, said he could see the impact of the industry on his bottom line since “The Hunger Games” began filming nearby. “I would say I’ve seen about a 20 percent increase in business from the construction guys coming in and building the set, then the shooting and now the tearing down of the set,” Canoutas said. Around the state, the $75 million production is pumping cash into small town restaurants and antique shops, putting money in the pockets of technicians and setting the stage for a future boost in tourist spending. The movie is based on the hit young-adult science fiction books by Suzanne Collins.
Lawmakers approved incentives in 2006 to help lure films to the state, and sweetened them in 2010. Productions can get a 25 percent tax credit not to exceed $20 million on productions spending more than $250,000 in qualified expenses within North Carolina.
(Jason Sandford, 6/11/11).
