Preproduction Locations
Written by Dyana Carmella
San Diego has played a key role in numerous feature films, such as Anchorman and the upcoming Phantom (starring David Duchovny and Ed Harris), and television shows like “American Idol,” “The Real World: San Diego” and Chef Gordon Ramsay’s new series “Hotel Hell,” which recently shot on the boardwalk in Pacific Beach. All of San Diego is open to filming, including iconic locations like the popular Sea World, beautiful Balboa Park, relaxed Mission Bay and the downtown Gaslamp District. The San Diego Film Commission has been going strong with 36 years of experience in assisting projects seeking to take advantage of these and other diverse locations. The Film Commission also represents San Diego County’s unincorporated areas, consisting of deserts, mountains, pine forests, ranch lands and isolated lakes.
Written by Nathan Hoturoa Gray
Written by Nathan Hoturoa Gray
Exploiting an exciting array of locations and landscapes, great tax incentives and 3D technology, Eastern Canada has become a world leader in attracting films to its provinces. And with a deep crew base that’s hungry for work in this economically pivotal period, the region offers a cinematic playground that makes for scintillating reading and so much more. P3 Update reports on the progress of Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011.
Written by James Thompson
Location Manager S. Todd Christensen was honored at the recent COLA ceremony where he won Location Professional of the Year and Location Team of the Year, Studio Feature Film awards for Moneyball.P3 Update’s James Thompson had an opportunity to chat with Christensen about winning these prestigious awards and working as a location professional.
Read more: Q&A with "Moneyball" Location Manager S. Todd Christensen
Written by Dyana Carmella
As P3’s photo editor, I feel very fortunate to be able to choose pictures from some of the most exotic and magnificent locations in the world. This includes New Zealand, one of this year’s prestigious top 10 worldwide locations (page 20). After staring at numerous photos of this far-away land, I decided to see for myself why it has served as a backdrop for many features like X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Lovely Bones, The Lord of the Rings franchises and The Chronicles of Narnia movies.
Written by Johan Kharabi
The list of this year’s top worldwide locations demonstrates just how big of a comeback the United States has made. Classic favorites like California and New York are once again attracting production, while newer contenders like Georgia and North Carolina are making an on-screen name for themselves. Louisiana continues to be a favorite among filmmakers, while Canada, with its diverse looks and competitive incentive packages, is still holding strong. Indeed, while the list ventures even further to explore Europe and the Pacific, P3 Update anticipates that in 2012 production will continue to stay close to home, where infrastructure is strong and incentives remain enticing.
Written by Johan Kharabi
The United States’ budget woes have led to growing calls for cutting incentive programs to improve states’ balance sheets. However, while state governments are increasingly being pressured to demonstrate the effectiveness of incentive programs, the packages have by and large remained intact throughout the country. Outside of the U.S., incentives are as strong as ever ─ as Canada’s provinces offer a slew of generous packages to attract production. This fierce foreign competition has many U.S. film commissions fighting to hold on to their incentives despite economic concerns.
Written by Nathan Hoturoa Gray
Nestled in the northeastern corner of the United States is the New England Region, including New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. While some states continue to excel, others are struggling in an intense cinematic showdown with the rest of the country to cement their slice of home as an ideal location choice. P3 Update takes a closer look at what this region is enticing filmmakers with.
Written by Nathan Hoturoa Gray
With a vibrant mix of golden deserts, towering peaks and vivid red landscapes, the southwestern states of Nevada, Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas have attracted a solid history of moviemaking. P3 Update takes a closer look at some of the successes and enticing offerings that this region has to offer the film community, while providing some insight into the stunning vistas flaunted by some of America’s most breathtaking production hubs.
Written by Johan Kharabi
The Rocky Mountain region stretches some 3,000 miles from Canada to the United States’ southwest and crossing Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado along the way. It’s a refreshing backdrop that offers productions unique and varied scenery that can work just as well in a Land Rover commercial as in a National Geographic documentary.
Written by Johan Kharabi and Sally Kemper
As runaway production took a toll on the U.S. in the 1990s, the country fought back by introducing its own competitive incentives. By 2010, 46 U.S. states and territories had introduced individual tax credit and rebate programs and saw an estimated $60 billion in television, movie and video production revenue. Once a year, P3 Update lists 10 states in the nation that offer the most attractive combination of tax incentives, crew base, talent pool, infrastructure, accessibility, significant production revenue and overall popularity among filmmakers.
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