Written by on Jun 15, 2010. Posted in Incentive News

Drew Barrymore film to use Alaska incentives in Anchorage

A USD30 million new film starring Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski is to begin shooting in Anchorage, Alaska, in the next few months. Everybody Loves Whales will be filmed on location as a result of the state’s recently-introduced filming tax incentives. The scheme enables productions to benefit from a transferable tax credit of up to 44%.

Bob Crockett, President of the Alaska Film Group, said: “This is the first major dollar film production drawn to Alaska, in part, by the new Alaska Film Production Incentive Program. The production will utilise dozens of Alaska businesses creating many jobs and economic opportunities.”

Stuart Besser, the film’s Executive Producer, told the Anchorage Daily News: “There’s at least 1,000 extras and there are probably about 30 to 40 speaking roles that we would attempt to get in Anchorage.”

The film will be based on the true story of an incident in 1988 when conservationists tried to rescue three trapped grey whales. The whales became trapped by sea ice near the Alaskan town of Barrow, prompting an international response.