North Carolina Governor Easley Praises N.C. Film Officials’ Role In ‘Leatherheads’ Production

Universal Pictures Movie Featuring Oscar Winners George Clooney, Renee Zellweger, Boosts State Economy

4/4/2008 -- Raleigh - North Carolina Governor Mike Easley today praised the work of state and regional film officials for their role in the production of the feature movie, Leatherheads, opening nationwide today, which was largely filmed on location in North Carolina.

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George Clooney and Renée Zellweger in South Carolina: Photo by Melanie McDermott (CC)

The film, staring Academy Award winners George Clooney and Renée Zellweger, is a romantic comedy inspired by the stranger-than-fiction beginnings of professional football in the 1920s. Scenes were shot in the Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Statesville, Salisbury and Charlotte areas.

“The Commerce Department’s Film Office along with regional film commissions, work hard and are effective at bringing feature films, television and other productions to our state,” said Easley. “North Carolina offers unique locations, an excellent pool of film industry professionals and services, and the economic advantages that film executives need to be successful.”

Leatherheads employed 336 people in North Carolina. The cast and crew spent 30 days in the state and accounted for the use of 2,000 hotel rooms. While the precise economic benefit of hosting the production has not been determined, it is expected to be sizeable. The economic impact of studio films of this caliber is far-reaching for the state and local communities from direct spending by those making films to the day-to-day needs of people involved in these projects, including restaurants, local hotels and other services.

While exact figures are still being gathered, more than 25 feature films, five of them major films, were produced in North Carolina in 2007.

North Carolina boasts an exceptional variety of filming locations from the mountains to the coast, and offers seven full-service studio complexes, five production centers and myriad benefits for qualifying productions. Aligning with six regional film commissions, the N.C. Film Office assists filmmakers by continuing North Carolina’s strong history of service to the industry.

Later this year, the state will see national attention again with the premiere of Nights in Rodanthe, starring Diane Lane and Richard Gere. Nights in Rodanthe is set to open nationwide on Oct. 3. It is based on the best-selling novel by North Carolinian Nicholas Sparks and was filmed on the Outer Banks in 2007.

The Leatherheads screenplay was written by North Carolina native and UNC-Chapel Hill graduate Duncan Brantley. Emmy winner Jim Bissell, also a UNC-Chapel Hill alumnus, is the film’s production designer.

Source: North Carolina Governor