Three new television and film projects have been approved to receive North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant funds. Combined, the projects are expected to generate a direct in-state spend in excess of $50.6 million. The productions will create more than 5,800 job opportunities in the state, including 1,120 crew positions for the state’s talented film workforce.
“Having more productions take advantage of North Carolina’s notable film locations and reputable infrastructure is always a win for our state,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland. “The multimillion-dollar spend for these three projects will be a great economic impact for the communities and the skilled production talent that are the backdrops for these productions.”
The television series, “Reprisal”, is described as a “hyper-kinetic” revenge tale following a woman who, after being left for dead, leads a vengeful campaign against the gang that tried to kill her. Once completed, the production will be eligible to receive a rebate of up to $10.7 million through the North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant. The series, whose pilot was also filmed in the state, will film in the greater Wilmington area, with filming expected to take place in various parts of Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender and Sampson counties. The project is being produced by A+E Studios in association with The Littlefield Company and will be available for viewing on the streaming service Hulu.
The second awardee, “Virginia Cold Case Project,” is a made-for-television movie from Markay Media, the award-winning production team behind the hit North Carolina-filmed PBS series “A Chef’s Life” and the documentary “Private Violence”. The project will follow a family as it comes to grips with new, emerging information about a 32-year-old cold case in Virginia. Production-related activities are expected to take place in Durham, Mecklenburg, Moore and Robeson counties. The production has a commitment for $370,000 from the film and entertainment grant.
The last grant recipient, “The 24th” is an independent feature film that has been approved to have $1.6 million reserved from the grant program. The project, which is scheduled to shoot in Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Rowan counties, is the story of the 1917 Houston Riot, or Camp Logan Riot, in which soldiers of the Third Battalion of the all-black 24th U.S. Infantry Regiment clashed with members of the Houston Police Department. Filming is expected through the end of June.
The three projects join five other projects that have had funds reserved from the North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant during the current fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019. In all, North Carolina Department of Commerce has reserved $34,116,244 from the grant during this period. The state anticipates a direct in-state spend of at least $124.5 million for all productions from 2019 with additional projects expected to increase the overall spend total by year end.
“We continue to see interest in our state as a filming location grow,” said North Carolina Film Office Director Guy Gaster. “With our renowned crews, established infrastructure, versatile locations, and a steady grant program, North Carolina proves to be the ideal location for the film and television industry.”
The North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant provides financial assistance to attract feature film and television productions that will stimulate economic activity and create jobs in the state. Production companies receive no money up front and must meet direct in-state spending requirements to qualify for grant funds, which are paid out following the completion of the project and a successful audit. The program is administered by the North Carolina Department of Commerce and promoted by the North Carolina Film Office, part of VisitNC and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.