What makes Charlotte a good place to shoot a movie?
We all know how it works. You’re watching your favorite movie in the theater (or on Netflix), and suddenly you are transported from your seat (or your couch) to that place on the silver screen. You’re wrapped up in a story about some far away destination, an exotic locale indicated by its foliage or some notable landmark. Then it sets in, and you say to yourself, “That’s not really [enter said location here], that’s probably some sound stage out in Hollywood…”
But Hollywood isn’t the only place to find movie magic.
It’s no secret that many major production companies take to the road to find locations and environments best suited for their project’s needs and shooting schedules. Certain cities and regions provide a variety of unique settings all in one spot, which makes life easier for everyone involved in the production process. That’s precisely what makes Charlotte stand out in the film industry.
“The diversity of locations around Charlotte is unprecedented,” said Beth Petty, director of the Charlotte Regional Film Commission. The commission is responsible for the film industry’s cultivation in 16 counties (12 in North Carolina, four in South Carolina), an all-encompassing region that provides a multitude of settings to say the least.
Just consider the fact that projects shot in this area have contributed to storylines based in Ecuador, New Zealand, the Philippines and even Afghanistan. As recently as last year, Warner Brothers selected Charlotte to film scenes for “Vacation,” the 2015 adaptation of the popular “National Lampoons” series of old. The U.S. National Whitewater Center played host and created the backdrop of the Colorado River, where the Griswolds rafted through the Grand Canyon.
The list certainly goes on. If you’ve ever taken a ride along the moving walkway in Concourse A at Charlotte Douglas, you more than likely can rattle off the names of several big screen hits and their Queen City settings including:
– “Shallow Hal” (2001) at Pike’s Soda Shop
– “Talladega Nights” (2006) at Charlotte Motor Speedway
– “Leatherheads” (2008) at Memorial Stadium
Charlotte is no stranger to the small screen, either. Showtime’s “Homeland” and Cinemax’s “Banshee” recently spent several seasons headquartered in Charlotte and could often be found setting up shop for scenes all around town. Parts of “Homeland” were filmed at The Charlotte Observer.
Though there has been a lag for film production in Charlotte due to the discontinued state tax credit at the end of 2014, the future is looking bright, as a $30 million grant has been allotted from the state for production companies looking to film in North Carolina in 2016.
Petty believes the grant isn’t all we have to offer.
“The reasons to choose Charlotte as a production location are vast,” she said. “We’ve cultivated a really talented crew base, have exceptional equipment houses and boast accessibility that ranks right up there as some of the best in the world. The future of film in Charlotte is bright and we’re looking forward to being increasingly competitive.”
Photos: Eric Osterhus, The News & Observer, Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer, Davie Hinshaw/Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published December 8, 2015 at 11:00 PM with the headline "What makes Charlotte a good place to shoot a movie?."