Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Renee Hoffman
Date: March 2, 2007 Phone: 919/ 733-5612
GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES WARNER BROTHERS TO FILM IN COASTAL NORTH CAROLINA
Story By N.C. Author Takes Place in Rodanthe On The Outer Banks
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today announced that Warner Brothers Pictures / DiNovi Productions have chosen North Carolina as the location for the feature film, Nights in Rodanthe. The drama will star Richard Gere and Diane Lane.
“Making movies is big business and North Carolina continues to play a leading role,” Easley said. “This is the second major motion picture to announce plans to shoot in our state in recent months, which shows that North Carolina remains one of the top filming locations in the nation.”
The film, which is based on New Bern resident Nicholas Sparks’ novel by the same name, will begin shooting in May in Wilmington and on the Outer Banks. The movie will be directed by George C. Wolfe (Lackawanna Blues) and produced by Denise Di Novi.
Nights in Rodanthe tells the story of a divorced woman struggling with rearing her teenage children and caring for her ailing father until she meets a new love interest during a trip to Rodanthe on the Outer Banks. Nicholas Sparks was born in Nebraska and grew up in California, and now lives in New Bern with his family. He is the author of several books including Message in a Bottle, The Notebook, and A Walk to Remember, which are all based in North Carolina.
Filmmakers cited Wilmington’s studios, infrastructure, and crew base as deciding factors in their decision to film in the state, along with the scenery provided by the beautiful, natural backdrop of the Outer Banks, which inspired the original story. They also noted the state’s competitive film tax incentive program that went into effect on January 1.
The film incentives statute allows a production company that spends at least $250,000 in the state to receive a tax credit equal to 15 percent for all the goods, services and labor it purchases in North Carolina. The incentive program was developed after the state lost opportunities for North Carolina-based stories to film here, such as Cold Mountain, which was actually filmed in Romania.
“Those of us in the eastern part of our state are glad to see these kinds of productions seeking out authentic locations, such as our Outer Banks,” said state Rep. Tim Spear (D, Chowan). “North Carolina is working hard to continue to build on our abilities to attract TV and film projects.”
The N.C. Department of Commerce’s Film Office partnered with the Wilmington Regional Film Commission to bring the production of Nights in Rodanthe to North Carolina. Recent productions in the state include the television series One Tree Hill, now in its fourth season of taping in Wilmington, and Will Ferrell’s 2006 hit comedy Talladega Nights, which filmed in Charlotte and Rockingham. Universal Pictures will begin filming in the Charlotte and Greensboro areas this month for the romantic comedy Leatherheads, starring George Clooney and Renée Zellweger. Clooney also will direct that movie and was one of its writers.
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