With cameras ready to roll on the newly greenlit Untitled J&L Project, Wilmington is back in the film saddle again. Film commissioner Johnny Griffin is also “pretty hopeful” about the return of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” to shoot a third season in the area, and in discussions with studios about other possible projects. But he sees a possible c ...

A new television series from Starz will film in Wilmington, and word is out today to potential extras that they will be needed.   The romantic drama series is currently called Untitled J&L Project and stars Joshua Jackson and Lauren Ridloff. It is in pre-production here, but is filing permits to begin shooting in late March.   Jackson is known to Wilmingt ...

The owner of a new movie studio plans to add more soundstages to his complex at 301 Harley Road in New Hanover County. Kirk Englebright said Monday that Dark Horse Studios is expected to grow with upcoming additions to its current campus, including two new soundstages totaling 40,750-square-foot and made using tilt-up concrete. Dark Horse has two existing soundstages. ...

NAME: Lighthouse Films Inc. YEAR FOUNDED: 2004 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 12 TOP OFFICIALS: Brad and Andrea Walker, owners WHAT DOES THE COMPANY DO WITH REGARD TO FILM?  Brad Walker: “The heart of our company is we create content that inspires and moves the needle forward. We produce branded entertainment documentaries, national commercials, music ...

Area film festivals took a hit when the COVID pandemic was at its peak, but their organizers expect lessons they learned about the importance of flexibility and fellowship will lead to future success.     The Cucalorus Film Festival just wrapped up its 28th year last month. Although Cucalorus continued during the pandemic, primarily online and with dr ...

David Pascua Photographer/Camera Operator, Actor How did you get into the film business? “Through my curiosity from being a movie background extra. I first started 10 years ago as a background extra on Iron Man 3 and have worked as a stand-in for a few prominent actors who have filmed in Wilmington, including actor and Marvel action star, Simu Liu. W ...

North Carolina has been the backdrop for reality home improvement shows in the past – think Love It or List It, which filmed multiple seasons in the Research Triangle area – but the concept took on a new twist recently with a project in Wilmington.   Divine Renovation, a six-episode first season from New York-based Heartlight Entertainment, is a docu-ser ...

YEAR FOUNDED: 1989 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Two crews of eight, plus dishwashers and linen staff, so roughly 20 TOP OFFICIALS: Art Hoover, owner; Art Hoover III WHAT DOES THE COMPANY DO WITH REGARD TO FILM: Hoover: “As the chef for the cast and crew of each production, I have to adapt for special requests and dietary needs, while making ...

For what some people have termed a slower year for Wilmington’s film scene, things aren’t going badly. So says Johnny Griffin, director of the Wilmington Regional Film Commission, who points to three projects currently in production and one in the pipeline.   “The second season of The Summer I Turned Pretty is in production, [the feature film] Eric ...

Port City Signs & Graphics  YEAR FOUNDED: 1948  NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 12 TOP OFFICIAL: Sabrina Davis, president and owner WHAT DOES THE COMPANY DO WITH REGARD TO FILM? Megan Hart, operations manager: “We do everything for their set in the way of decals, magnets, backdrop items, canvas art, vehicle graphics and set storefro ...