Written by on May 3, 2012. Posted in Incentive News

North Carolina plans new training courses to boost film crew base

North Carolina is planning new funding to boost its film crew base. Announced from EUE/Screen Gems Studios, the programme would include ten new training courses to be set up in Wilmington and would take in as many as 400 people over a five-week period.

The programme will offer practical training in below-the-line skilled jobs like set dressing, grip, set construction and wardrobe, in a move that will enable visiting productions to hire local talent rather than bringing people in from out-of-state. North Carolina already offers a popular 25% tax credit.

Beverly Perdue is Governor of North Carolina and announced the plans at EUE/Screen Gems Studios: “The curriculum will be designed around what a specific film needs. We will be able to promise these productions that we will have a tailor-trained workforce that will get them off the ground on time.”

It’s a cost saving because productions don't have to pay for hotels, travel expenses, or per-diem costs for people they bring in from out-of-town.

Bill Vassar, Screen Gems

Bill Vassar is Executive Vice President of Screen Gems: “It’s a cost saving because productions don't have to pay for hotels, travel expenses, or per-diem costs for people they bring in from out-of-town. Local crews can save them a lot of money.”

North Carolina has seen its profile soar in recent months with the phenomenal success of The Hunger Games, which filmed entirely in the state. Marvel’s Iron Man 3 starts filming at EUE/Screen Gems Studios in the coming weeks.