Welcome to "Wilmywood"
Over the past 20 years, the Wilmington film community has developed into an area completely equipped to take on any project, whether it be a big-budget motion picture or a small indie flick. TV's long-running Matlock series, starring Andy Griffith, was filmed here, as were TV's American Gothic, many commercials, music videos and films.
At the heart of this phenomenon is EUE/Screen Gems Studios, a 32-acre complex on N. 23rd Street. Some of the studio's eight sound stages — totaling more than 100,000 square feet — are among the largest in the Eastern United States. And you've probably seen the backlot several times on screen, although you probably thought you were looking at the streets of New York City, New Orleans, Beirut, Detroit or Bucharest.
The spark that ignited Wilmington's steadily burning film industry came in 1983 when Stephen King's Firestarter was filmed at the studios, then owned by Dino DeLaurentis. Carolco Pictures (makers of the Terminator films) bought the studio in 1989, then EUE/Screen Gems in 1996. Wilmington's ideal weather, its variety of locations, accessibility to transportation and low labor costs offer the film industry an effective formula for success.
The
streets of a bygone New York City came to life on the studio backlot of the filming of Billy
Bathgate.
Photo: Carolco Studios
So it's not surprising that many Wilmingtonians have film experience. Local musicians performed in The Radioland Murders. Local dancers went Stomping at the Savoy. Scores of locals earn their livings as "techies." Hundreds more work as on-screen extras. At least one Wilmington city councilman may be seen in TV commercials. State-of-the-art recording studios serving the film industry also thrive around town. It's not unusual to see major Hollywood celebrities frequenting local restaurants and clubs while they're in town for a shoot. By the way, fees collected for film permits go toward downtown beautification projects.
Just a glance at the following sample of movies and TV shows made in and around Wilmington (the list is always growing) makes it clear why Wilmington has earned the nickname "Wilmywood": 28 Days, A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries, Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story, Alan and Naomi, Betsy's Wedding, Billy Bathgate, Black Dog, Blue Velvet, Crimes of the Heart, The Crow, Dawson's Creek, Domestic Disturbance, Dream a Little Dream, Empire, Everybody Wins, Fall Time, Golden Years, Justice and a Small Town: The Sandra Prine Story, Lolita, Margaret: A Burning Passion, The Marc Pease Experience, The Member of the Wedding, Nights in Rodanthe, Noble House, One Tree Hill, Out of Carolina, Raw Deal, Simple Justice, Sleeping With the Enemy, The Squeeze, A Stoning in Fulham County, Summer Catch, To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday, Too Young the Hero, Truman Capote's One Christmas, Tune In Tomorrow, Virus, When We Were Colored, Windmills of the Gods, and Year of the Dragon. And who could forget Amos & Andrew, Bad With Numbers, Cannibal Vampire Schoolgirls from Outer Space, Cyborg, Date with an Angel, The Exorcist III, Firestarter, King Kong Lives, Little Monsters, Loose Cannons, The Lost Capone, Super Mario Bros., Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, Weeds, Weekend at Bernie's and 2005-06 NBC sci-fi series, Surface.
One Tree Hill
After Dawson's Creek ran its course
and wrapped production in Wilmington, producers Greg Prange and David
Hartley began shopping around for another teen drama property. Enter One
Tree Hill, the story of a group of small-town teens who clash with
their parents, get into trouble and revel in the usual high school
shenanigans. Chad Michael Murray portrays Lucas Scott, a loner who returns
to his mother's hometown and has trouble fitting in at his new high school.
As it turns out, Lucas' biological father, Dan Scott (Paul Johansson), is
still in town. Dan's son Nathan (James Lafferty) is the star of the Tree
Hill basketball team, and the two bump heads when Lucas makes the squad. But
when they discover they're half-brothers, the tension twists even tighter.
One Tree Hill also stars Sophia Bush, Bethany Joy Lenz and former
MTV vee-jay Hillarie Burton. It's immensely popular among the teen set and
is approaching its fifth season on the WB. You can often spot the stars of
the show out and about in Wilmington and they're very approachable and
down-to-earth.
