"Leatherheads" shows impact of film industry On NC's economy

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North Carolina Film Office preliminary estimates show that total film production in North Carolina for 2007 brought nearly $200 million to the state's economy.

WHAT: - Academy Award winners George Clooney and Rene Zellweger star in the new film "Leatherheads" to be released on April 4, 2008. The film industry in North Carolina has played a leading role in the state's economy all year long. The state's film office worked with the film's production company for months to secure film locations in North Carolina. The state's new tax incentive program for film production also helped draw the motion picture to North Carolina. "Leatherheads" filmed for approximately 20 days in state. The Universal Pictures feature, inspired by the stranger-than-fiction beginnings of America's professional football league, was shot in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Statesville, Salisbury, Charlotte and surrounding areas. The film employed 336 people in North Carolina, and its cast and crew spent a total of more than 2,000 room-nights here. The total economic benefit to the state in hosting the production has not yet been determined.

The North Carolina Film Office preliminary estimates show that total film production in North Carolina for 2007 brought nearly $200 million to the state's economy. The state hosted some part of the production of nearly 20 feature films in 2007. Later this year, the state will grab national attention again when "Nights in Rodanthe," starring Diane Lane and Richard Gere, premieres Oct. 3, 2008. "Nights in Rodanthe," based on the best-selling novel by Nicholas Sparks, was filmed on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and in the Wilmington area in 2007.

North Carolina tourism and film officials are available to comment on the impact of "Leatherheads," "Nights in Rodanthe" and the hundreds of other large- and small-scale productions that take place in North Carolina each year. Film production also benefits businesses and tourism as movie fans seek out locations that were used in their favorite films.

WHERE: "Leatherheads" filmed in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Statesville, Salisbury, Charlotte and surrounding areas. It also filmed in South Carolina.

WHEN: "Leatherheads" will be released on April 4, 2008.