From the dazzling glow of Hollywood spotlights to the hard numbers of economic impact, the film industry in North Carolina isn't just about movie magic—it's a powerhouse that injected a staggering $384 million directly into the state's economy in a single year, creating a ripple effect felt in every corner from Wilmington to the mountains.
Key Takeaways
- In fiscal year 2022, North Carolina's film, television, and commercial productions spent a total of $384 million in qualified expenditures within the state
- The film industry contributed $1.2 billion to North Carolina's GDP in 2022 through direct, indirect, and induced effects
- Film productions supported 12,500 jobs across North Carolina in 2022, including crew, vendors, and cast
- In FY2021, 118 qualified productions spent $421 million in NC
- Television series accounted for 45% of total film spend at $189 million in 2022
- Commercials generated $56 million in expenditures across 320 projects in 2022
- FY2022 saw 5,500 direct jobs created in film production roles statewide
- Crew positions filled totaled 42,000 job-days in NC film industry 2022
- 1,200 above-the-line jobs (directors, producers) in 2022 productions
- NC issued $87 million in transferable tax credits for FY2022 productions
- 112 productions qualified for 25% base rebate in 2022
- Additional 20% uplift credit claimed on $120 million labor spend 2022
- Outer Banks Season 3 spent $45 million, received $11.2M credit
- Netflix's Outer Banks series has filmed all seasons in NC, generating $150M total spend
- One Tree Hill reunion events drew 50K fans to Wilmington in 2022
North Carolina's film industry generated significant economic benefits and job growth in 2022.
Economic Impact
1In fiscal year 2022, North Carolina's film, television, and commercial productions spent a total of $384 million in qualified expenditures within the state
Verified2The film industry contributed $1.2 billion to North Carolina's GDP in 2022 through direct, indirect, and induced effects
Verified3Film productions supported 12,500 jobs across North Carolina in 2022, including crew, vendors, and cast
Verified4Hotel occupancy rates in Wilmington increased by 15% during peak film production seasons in 2022 due to industry activity
Directional5North Carolina collected $28 million in sales tax revenue from film productions in FY2022
Single source6The multiplier effect of film spending in NC is 3.1, meaning every $1 spent generates $3.10 in total economic activity
Verified7Film industry tourism added $250 million to local economies in 2022 from fans visiting filming locations
Verified8Charlotte's film sector generated $150 million in local economic output in 2022
Verified9In 2021, film productions paid $45 million in local and state taxes in North Carolina
Directional10The industry's indirect spending on housing and meals totaled $92 million in FY2022
Single source11Raleigh-Durham area saw $78 million in film-related economic activity in 2022
Verified12Film exports from NC services reached $15 million internationally in 2022
Verified13Vendor payments by productions amounted to $156 million in-state purchases in 2022
Verified14The film industry reduced unemployment by 0.5% in coastal counties in 2022
Directional15$320 million in construction spending for soundstages and facilities from 2018-2022
Single source16Wilmington's economy gained $450 million from film over the last decade through 2022
Verified17Film-driven retail sales tax increased by $12 million in 2022 statewide
Verified18Induced economic effects from employee spending totaled $380 million in 2022
Verified19Property values near studios rose 8% due to film industry presence in 2022
Directional20NC film industry supported 2,800 small businesses in 2022 with contracts
Single source21Annual economic impact per production averaged $4.5 million in NC for 2022
Verified22Film sector contributed 0.4% to NC's total GDP in 2022
Verified23$67 million in wages paid to in-state cast and crew in FY2022
Verified24Local government received $18 million in film-related fees and permits in 2022
Directional25Energy consumption from productions supported $5 million in utility revenues in 2022
Single source26Film industry philanthropy totaled $2.5 million in donations in NC 2022
Verified27Transportation sector earned $35 million from film logistics in 2022
Verified28Healthcare spending by productions reached $8 million in 2022
Verified29Education partnerships generated $1.2 million in training funds from film in 2022
DirectionalEconomic Impact Interpretation
North Carolina's film industry isn't just playing a role; it's a leading actor in the state's economic script, generating billions, supporting thousands of jobs, and proving that every dollar spent on a production is a blockbuster investment with a serious multiplier effect.
Employment Data
1FY2022 saw 5,500 direct jobs created in film production roles statewide
Verified2Crew positions filled totaled 42,000 job-days in NC film industry 2022
Verified31,200 above-the-line jobs (directors, producers) in 2022 productions
Verified4Below-the-line crew employed 4,300 on NC shoots in 2022
Directional5Women comprised 38% of film workforce in NC during 2022
Single source6Minority hires reached 25% of total film jobs in 2022
Verified7Wilmington studios employed 1,800 full-time staff in 2022
Verified8Charlotte added 650 film jobs in 2022, growing 12% YoY
Verified9Training programs graduated 450 new crew members in 2022
Directional10Average film wage in NC was $62,000 annually in 2022
Single source11320 internships provided by productions in 2022
Verified12Union memberships grew by 15% to 2,100 in NC film locals 2022
Verified13Post-production roles increased to 850 jobs in 2022
Verified14VFX artists employed numbered 420 in NC firms 2022
Directional15Extras casting filled 15,000 roles across 2022 productions
Single source16Local hires mandated at 75% of crew in incentive projects 2022
Verified17Freelance grips and electrics worked 18,000 shifts in 2022
Verified18Production assistants totaled 900 hires in 2022 season
Verified19Stunt performers logged 2,500 bookings in NC films 2022
Directional20Costume designers and wardrobe staff: 250 employed 2022
Single source21Set designers created jobs for 180 locals in 2022
Verified22Camera department hires: 650 across productions 2022
Verified23Sound mixers and boom ops: 320 roles filled 2022
Verified24Editors in NC post houses: 380 full-time equivalents 2022
DirectionalEmployment Data Interpretation
North Carolina's film industry is proving you don't need a Hollywood budget to create Hollywood-caliber jobs, building a thriving, representative, and homegrown ecosystem where 42,000 job-days of work translates into real careers for locals.
Incentive Utilization
1NC issued $87 million in transferable tax credits for FY2022 productions
Verified2112 productions qualified for 25% base rebate in 2022
Verified3Additional 20% uplift credit claimed on $120 million labor spend 2022
Verified4$15 million in credits transferred to NC studios and vendors 2022
Directional5Average incentive per project was $780,000 in FY2022
Single source6Wilmington captured 57% of total credits issued in 2022
Verified7Charlotte received $22 million in film incentives 2022
Verified8Commercials utilized $14 million in credits from 320 shoots 2022
Verified9Streaming platforms redeemed $45 million credits in 2022
Directional10Feature films secured $38 million total rebates 2022
Single source11In-state vendor bonus added $9 million to credits 2022
Verified12Payroll credits on $384M spend yielded 25% return rate 2022
Verified13Audits approved 98% of credit applications in 2022
Verified14$5.2 million in acoustic credit for soundstage builds 2022
Directional15Non-resident cast uplift claimed on $45M wages 2022
Single source1615 new productions attracted solely by incentive program 2022
Verified17Credits ROI estimated at 4:1 economic multiplier 2022
Verified18Digital media incentives totaled $3.8 million in 2022
Verified19Local government matching funds unlocked $2M credits 2022
Directional20Cap of $30M annual credits nearly reached at $28.5M 2022
Single sourceIncentive Utilization Interpretation
North Carolina's film industry is essentially running a high-stakes, state-subsidized blockbuster where Wilmington is the leading star, taxpayers are the anxious producers, and the promise of a four-to-one return is the cliffhanger we're all waiting to see resolve.
Notable Productions
1Outer Banks Season 3 spent $45 million, received $11.2M credit
Verified2Netflix's Outer Banks series has filmed all seasons in NC, generating $150M total spend
Verified3One Tree Hill reunion events drew 50K fans to Wilmington in 2022
Verified4EUE Screen Gems Studios hosted 20 major productions in 2022
Directional5Iron Man 3 principal photography spent $28 million in NC 2013
Single source6Fox's Accused anthology series shot Season 1 in Charlotte 2022
Verified7Dawson's Creek filmed 6 seasons in Wilmington, economic legacy $500M
Verified8The Black Phone horror film spent $18M in NC 2021
Verified9Resident Alien Season 2 production in Wilmington $12M spend
Directional10Dirty Dancing 35th anniversary shoot in NC mountains 2022
Single source11NC hosted 12 Hallmark movies in 2022, total spend $24M
Verified12Titans Season 4 finale episodes filmed in NC studios 2022
Verified13Love, Simon sequel shot exteriors in Raleigh 2022
Verified14NC's film wins included 3 Emmys for Outer Banks in 2022
Directional15Wilmington International Film Festival screened 150 NC shorts 2022
Single source16A24's Men horror film principal NC shoot $10M spend 2021
Verified17NC-shot episodes of Riverdale Season 6 totaled $8M
Verified18The School for Good and Evil Netflix film $15M NC spend 2021
Verified1925 feature films premiered from NC shoots at Sundance 2022
Directional20NC's Underwater horror franchise generated $200M box office from local prod
Single source2145 commercials for national brands shot in NC 2022, incl. Coca-Cola $5M
Verified22Euphoria HBO visited NC for reshoots, $3M spend 2022
VerifiedNotable Productions Interpretation
While $45 million worth of high school drama in the Outer Banks might seem extravagant, North Carolina’s film industry clearly proves it's a blockbuster investment, transforming the state into a backlot that pays serious dividends in jobs, tourism, and economic alchemy.
Production Spending
1In FY2021, 118 qualified productions spent $421 million in NC
Verified2Television series accounted for 45% of total film spend at $189 million in 2022
Verified3Commercials generated $56 million in expenditures across 320 projects in 2022
Verified4Feature films spent an average of $25 million each, with 12 projects totaling $300 million in 2022
Directional5Streaming content spend reached $210 million from 35 productions in FY2022
Single source6Wilmington hosted productions spending $220 million locally in 2022
Verified7Charlotte's spend totaled $98 million from 42 projects in 2022
Verified8Independent films contributed $42 million from 28 projects in 2022
Verified9Post-production services billed $75 million in-state in 2022
Directional10Location scouting and permitting fees embedded in $15 million spend in 2022
Single source11VFX and animation spend by NC productions was $28 million in 2022
Verified12Music and sound design expenditures totaled $12 million in 2022
Verified13Wardrobe and props purchases reached $19 million locally in 2022
Verified14Catering services for crews cost $22 million across productions in 2022
Directional15Equipment rentals from NC vendors totaled $45 million in 2022
Single source16Hotel accommodations billed $68 million to productions in 2022
Verified17Ground transportation expenditures were $14 million in 2022
Verified18Insurance premiums paid locally amounted to $9 million in 2022
Verified19Legal and accounting services for films cost $7.5 million in 2022
Directional20Marketing and publicity spend by NC productions was $11 million in 2022
Single source21Construction and set building totaled $33 million in qualified spend 2022
Verified22Digital effects outsourcing to NC firms was $18 million in 2022
Verified23Payroll processing fees embedded $4 million in production budgets 2022
Verified24Printing and duplication services cost $2.8 million in 2022
Directional25Security services for shoots billed $6.2 million in 2022
Single source26Animal handling and training for films cost $1.5 million in 2022
VerifiedProduction Spending Interpretation
North Carolina's film industry is more than just cameras and actors; it's a sprawling economic engine where even the craft services table and the CGI dragon contribute to a half-billion-dollar tapestry of paychecks, hotel bills, and local business revenues.
Sources & References
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