Celebrate North Carolina Film
From left, director Michael Mann directs actors Steven Waddington and Daniel Day-Lewis on 1992’s ‘Last of the Mohicans,’ a portion of which was filmed on Grandfather Mountain.
North Carolina citizens and filmmakers have a fascination with
the silver screen, and filmmaking is part of North Carolina.
That rich past is captured in
“Celebrate North Carolina Film,” part of the “Celebrate North Carolina” initiative of the Office of
First Gentleman Bob Eaves, arranged in cooperation with the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources,
and available online at http://www.celebrate.nc.gov.
Historic documentaries, futuristic films and
everything in between are made in North Carolina.
“In North Carolina, film is more than just
entertainment, it’s a way for us to share our stories with the world and an important sector of the
economy,” Eaves said. “We are fortunate to have the unique combination of outstanding, scenic
locations and a skilled and creative workforce. In addition, our world-class film school programs
that are training the next generation of filmmakers and production workers will mean that North
Carolina will continue to play a leading role in the film industry in the future.”
Details of
the first film shot in North Carolina can be found on the Celebrate North Carolina site.
In
1921, Dare County School superintendent Mabel Evans shot and produced “The Lost Colony” about the
settling of the Outer Banks in the 1580s. The long running symphonic opera of the same name
still delights audiences every summer in Manteo.
The website offers glimpses into the past
with vintage footage from the State Archives of North Carolina, including a future-oriented look at
the state from the 1949 black and white short film, “Tar Heel Family.” It examines the shift
from a farm to an industry-based economy, and how the state can continue to be progressive.
Other gems include the movies of H. Lee Walters from the 1930s. Walters traveled to
cities and towns across North Carolina to make movies of everyday people. He showed the films in
local theaters and provided an affordable pick-me-up for folks living through the Great Depression.
North Carolina plays a part on the big screen, as well. Blockbusters, such as “The Color
Purple,” “The Last of the Mohicans” and “Forrest Gump,” filmed in the state.
The TV shows,
“One Tree Hill,” and “Dawson’s Creek,” were shot here also. The upcoming movie, “Iron Man 3,”
is expected start production in North Carolina this year. A list of productions and locations
is on the website.
Film festivals for eclectic tastes also are popular destinations
for tourists to North Carolina. In coordination with First Gentleman Eaves’ Celebrate North
Carolina initiative, the Southern Documentary Fund is providing a series of films for discussion
groups. The films focus on North Carolina people, history and culture.
Public
libraries across North Carolina will be purchasing the films and hosting viewing and discussion
programs at their libraries. Many of them will include discussions led by the local
filmmaker.
For more information, visit Celebrate North Carolina Film and
the State Archives Film Collection.
For information on the film discussion
groups at public libraries, call (919) 807-7421.
The State Archives and the State
Library are within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.
For more information, visit
http://www.celebrate.nc.gov.
