Iron Man 3, Arthur Newman, and NBC’s Revolution out on download, DVD and BluRay Tuesday

     Since 2012, North Carolina has seen an increase of productions due to legislation passed in 2010 by former, Gov. Bev Purdue.  This has made a major impact on the economy in the state. More than 100 production companies have filmed here, and “have had a combined direct in-state spend in excess of $622 million while creating more than 50,000 job opportunities including approximately 8,500 well-paying crew positions for the state’s highly skilled film professionals”.

     This month, three of those projects that were produced in this state during this period, will be out via download, on DVD and BlueRay.  The movie Iron Man 3, “according to Box Office MOJO, as of Sept. 12, has grossed $409,013,994”, and is one of the most outstanding lucrative projects produced in the state.  They filmed for “seven months in the state and is estimated to have had a direct in-state spend of more than $100 million while providing 1,500+ job opportunities including approximately 550 well-paying crew positions for the state’s highly skilled filmed professionals.  It is available exclusively by high definition digital download, on DVD and BluRay”.  In this release there is bonus material of deleted and extended scenes, a gag reel, and an up-close look at the movie’s dramatic airplane and skydiving scene.  It will be out on Tuesday, September 24^th". 

     Another film project shot here is an independent film Arthur Newman, which stars Colin Firth and Emily Blunt.  This is a film is about a man who tries to revamp himself as he goes through a mid life crisis.  This movie was released in 2012, at the Toronto Film Festival.  Prior to the festival the production had been in the state for 45 days filming in several North Carolina counties.  This production spent more than $6.8 million, furnished more than 500 job opportunities, and 150 well paying crew positions during the four months they were here.  This film will also be out on Tuesday“.

     The third project that was shot in this state and will be out via download, DVD and BluRay is the first season of NBC’s drama Revolution.  This program is about a family and their efforts to “rebuild America 15 years after a worldwide event causes the lose of all power.  This show was shot for seven months in several counties in the state, and spent in excess of $60 million. They provided approximately 250 well-paying crew positions and over 500 job opportunities overall. This release will feature the first 20 episodes. This 5-disc set also includes a look at the making of the series as well as additional behind-the-scenes footage as to how North Carolina was able to provide the setting needed to pull off a show of this magnitude”.

     Here’s your chance to buy these hot releases for your own personal pleasure, or for someone special on your Christmas list.  

The Boost Continues!

    “North Carolina’s unemployment rate went up “one-tenth of a percentage point to 8.9 percent in July, according to data released by the state Department of Commerce’s Labor and Economic Analysis Division.  This is the first time the unemployment rate has risen in the state since January.  Compared to last year, this year’s unemployment rate is slightly seven-tenths of a percent lower.  ‘It was a disappointing month,” said Mekael Teshome, a PNC Financial Services Group Economist.  North Carolina’s unemployment rate is tied with Rhode Island for the third-worst in the nation”.

     Well despite these disappointing unemployment figures, there is a dimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for the state’s economy.  There is an industry that has seen tremendous growth since the beginning of this year.  That industry is the film industry.  The North Carolina Film Office reports a production tally of “$250 million in direct in-state spending and 25,000 job opportunities for North Carolinians”.

     More than 35 production companies have filled out “intent to film” applications suggesting they plan to either film, or have filmed in the state.   Thus far, this means that there will be over 4,300 production days encompassing as many as 30 counties, in the Tarheel State. The job opportunities include more than 3,000 crew positions for the state’s highly skilled film professionals, 1,000 well-paying talent opportunities, and 21,000 background talent positions”.

      “North Carolina continues to be a preferred location in the film industry,” said North Carolina Film Office Director Aaron Syrett.  “Our talented crew base, vast array of locations, and the state’s tax incentive —while not the largest in the nation, it’s certainly the smartest — provide filmmakers and industry leaders the right mix for bringing their productions here and showcasing them to viewers worldwide”.

     “Since 2010, when former Governor Bev Perdue signed into law House Bill 1973 and House Bill 713”, which are the “North Carolina Film Incentives”, the state has seen more production companies arriving to the state, and spending as much as $1 billion.  “The North Carolina Film Incentive is for film productions of theatrical, television and direct-to- DVD features; television series (an episodic series is considered one production); mini-series; commercials (excluding news, sporting events and political advertising) and animation productions.” The maximum tax credit for a production is $20 million.   At least $250,000 must be spent in the state on goods, services, and labor, in order to receive up to 25% of the refundable tax credit.  The companies, who earn the credit, receive a check for the full value of their refund”, “after the North Carolina Department of Revenue has performed an audit”.  

     Now for those of you interested in a location for your next production, and it meets the state’s requirements, why not consider the Tarheel State, “New Hollywood”? With all of this exciting news, I’m looking forward to seeing how well the next quarter does, aren’t you?  I’ll keep you posted!