Wilmington movie industry reviving | Eastern North Carolina Now

By:  Bill Lee

Up until 2014 our state was top in the country for movie and TV production for decades. But after the state legislature failed to renew the industry’s tax credits many companies began to leave the state.  Marcie Kelso, the head of the North Carolins Production Alliance reported that this industry made up over 4000 jobs. This is a little know fact to most North Carolinians.

Wilmington North Carolins was rivaling California and many of your most loved productions on screen and Television were filmed there.  Now after a long dry spell the industry is getting a boost.

Cinespace, a company out of Canada, has acquired Screen Gems Studios in Atlanta Georgia and in Wilmington North Carolina.  Mayor Bill Saffo of Wilmington North Carolina is happy a big studio with Los Angeles connections will be moving into Wilmington North Carolina.  In addition, Mayor Saffo is also happy Dark Horse Studios is providing space for motion pictures.  Two Studios in Wilmington North Carolina ready to go online for what looks like a very busy season of playing catch-up after the strike is completely over.  As of right now, the Writers Guild has made a decision to go back to work so you’ll see your late-night shows and your talk shows back online.

It will take some time to get new television shows and movies back on track.  I’m sure the crew in the Wilmington area will be excited about the new studio bringing a multitude of work to a starving film community caught in the wake of the strikes with the Writers Guild and Screen Actors Guild. 

By Bill Lee