5/4/2010
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Film Office will sponsor a half-day workshop in Bluefield on May 19 on issues related to the film industry and, particularly, how communities can work with the Film Office to recruit more film production to the state.
The workshop begins at 9:30 a.m. and wraps by 12:30 p.m. at Bluefield State College Research & Development Center, 704 Bland Street, in the auditorium on the main level. Parking is available in the lot beside the building. The workshop is free and open to the public. RSVPs are requested by May 14. To register, contact Misty Dailey at 304-957-9366, or by e-mail at misty.g.dailey@wv.gov.
"Interest in filming in West Virginia is increasing because of our tax incentive program, and it is important for the Film Office to reach out to communities and community leaders to better prepare them when their region is chosen for filming," said Pam Haynes, director of the Film Office.
Haynes encourages academic instructors for film/television studies, business leaders, members of convention and visitor bureaus, chambers of commerce, economic development authorities, mayors and city managers, county managers and commissioners, film and video production companies, and freelance production crew to attend.
“This is a great opportunity for our businesses and community leaders to learn more about how producers choose filming locations and how our communities can support the Film Office's efforts to draw more film business into the state," said Marie Blackwell, director of the Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Having assisted the Film Office over the years with location searches and connections to community leaders, Blackwell said the information offered is a great tool for anyone interested in becoming involved in the film industry as well as for property owners who would like to make their homes or businesses available for filming locations.
Haynes explained that an increase in filming activity is a result of tax credit incentives recently passed by the West Virginia Legislature. "The incentives allow the Film Office to be more competitive with other states in recruiting film, television and other productions," she said. Haynes said the most recent productions that participated in the program are GCM Productions of Los Angeles, which produced the ABC show "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" filmed in Huntington, and My Tupelo Entertainment of New York City, which produced The Learning Channel show "Ghost Adventures Live" filmed in Weston.
Haynes said the workshop, titled "Business of Film: Paths to Opportunity,” will provide an overview of the tax incentives and how they will benefit West Virginia businesses, how communities may become film friendly, what to expect and how to handle filming when it knocks on the door, and how to work effectively with the Film Office. A brief tutorial on location scouting also will be highlighted, and there will be an assortment of helpful handouts.
Haynes said additional workshops will be scheduled around the state as needed. The workshop has been previously presented in Charleston, Fairmont, Follansbee, Huntington, Lewisburg, Lost River, Martinsburg, Morgantown, Weirton and Wheeling. She added that the Film Office will conduct the workshops in any county or community where interest and participation would be significant.
The West Virginia Film Office is a section under the WV Department of Commerce, Division of Tourism, and can be visited at www.wvfilm.com.
Contact Information
Marie Blackwell
304-325-8438
marie@visitmercercounty.com