Wilmington – Governor Roy Cooper signed an executive order creating the Governor’s Advisory Council on Film, Television and Digital Streaming on Oct. 22. The 15-person council will spearhead efforts to expand the state’s film industry.
“We are beginning our big push to see film rebound in North Carolina,” said Cooper.
“North Carolina’s natural beauty, welcoming communities and local talent make it a perfect home for the film industry. This advisory council will play a critical role in helping the industry flourish, which creates good-paying jobs right here in North Carolina.”
At least three times per year, the council will advise the governor on efforts to build the state’s film industry, in conjunction with the State Film Office.
Since its founding in 1980, the film office brought a dramatic increase in production. During the 1980s and 1990s, a long list of Hollywood films were shot in the state, including The Color Purple, Dirty Dancing, Last of the Mohicans, Nell and The Fugitive. The latter pair were shot in Graham County.
In the 2000s, production tended to move overseas to save money, with even Cold Mountain – written by Andrews native Charles Frazier and set entirely in North Carolina – filming in Romania.
Then in 2006, a 15 percent tax credit spurred a substantial increase in production, including Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill.
But in 2014, when a grant program replaced tax incentives, production plummeted.
The state’s film industry saw another setback in 2016, when Hollywood protested the state’s “bathroom bill,” which restricted restroom use to that of a person’s biological sex. The “bathroom” portion of the bill was repealed in 2017, then a federal judge ruled against the legislation earlier this year, seemingly putting the matter to rest.
Since taking office, Cooper has sought to make up for recent blows to the state’s film industry. Changes to the grant incentive program have had some effect, with jobs in the film industry up to 10,976 this year, after several years of declining numbers. Production spending has also increased, to the tune of $165 million so far this year.
In spite of the ups and downs of North Carolina’s film industry over the past few decades, the state is still considered one of the top film destinations in the country, with productions generating more than $1 billion in revenue between 2007 and 2012. Over the years, North Carolina has provided the setting for more than 800 feature films and 14 television series.
“We know that film is more than red carpet and celebrities,” said Cooper. “It’s about the talented crew workers, the studios, the local businesses that are all working together. It’s the backbone of the industry where jobs are happening. These are the people who make it happen.”
“The industry is changing with streaming now and with digital. And with all of the opportunities that are there, we want North Carolina to be at the cutting edge.”