State Film Office plans workshop in Lewisburg to talk about recruiting more movies to the state

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Film Office will sponsor a half-day workshop in Lewisburg on Sept. 23 on issues related to the film industry and, particularly, how communities can work with the Film Office to recruit more film production to the state.

The workshop begins on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 8:30 a.m. and wraps by noon at The Brier Inn, 540 North Jefferson St. The workshop is free and open to the public. RSVPs are requested. To register, contact Misty Dailey at 304-558-2200, ext. 366, or by e-mail at misty.g.dailey@wv.gov.

"As West Virginia becomes a more popular place to shoot feature films, television programs, music videos and commercials because of its tax incentive program, it has become increasingly more important for the Film Office to reach out to communities and community leaders to better prepare them when their region is chosen for filming," said Pam Haynes, director of the Film Office.

Haynes encourages academic instructors for film/television studies, members of convention and visitor bureaus, chambers of commerce, economic development authorities, mayors and city managers, county managers and commissioners, film and video production companies, and freelance production crew to attend.

“This is a great opportunity for our businesses and community leaders to learn more about how producers choose filming locations and how our communities can support the film office's efforts to draw more film business into the state," said Amy Kaczynski, director of sales and promotions for the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Kaczynski attended this workshop in Charleston last year and said the information offered is a great tool for anyone interested in becoming involved in the film industry as well as for property owners who would like to make their homes or businesses available for filming locations.

Haynes explained that an increase in filming activity is a result of tax credit incentives recently passed by the West Virginia Legislature. "The incentives allow the Film Office to be more competitive with other states in recruiting film productions," she said.

Haynes said the workshop, titled "Business of Film: Paths to Opportunity,” will provide an overview of the tax incentives and how they will benefit West Virginia businesses, how communities may become film friendly, what to expect and how to handle filming when it knocks on the door, and how to work effectively with the Film Office. A brief tutorial on location scouting also will be highlighted, and there will be an assortment of helpful handouts.

Haynes said additional workshops will be scheduled around the state as needed. The workshop has been previously presented in Charleston, Fairmont, Follansbee, Huntington, Lost River, Martinsburg, Morgantown, Weirton and Wheeling. She added that the Film Office will conduct the workshops in any county or community where interest and participation would be significant.

The West Virginia Film Office is a section under the WV Department of Commerce, Division of Tourism, and can be visited at www.wvfilm.com.