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
- 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
- Hotel occupancy rates in Wilmington increased by 15% during peak film production seasons in 2022 due to industry activity
- North Carolina collected $28 million in sales tax revenue from film productions in FY2022
- The multiplier effect of film spending in NC is 3.1, meaning every $1 spent generates $3.10 in total economic activity
- Film industry tourism added $250 million to local economies in 2022 from fans visiting filming locations
- Charlotte's film sector generated $150 million in local economic output in 2022
- In 2021, film productions paid $45 million in local and state taxes in North Carolina
- The industry's indirect spending on housing and meals totaled $92 million in FY2022
- Raleigh-Durham area saw $78 million in film-related economic activity in 2022
- Film exports from NC services reached $15 million internationally in 2022
- Vendor payments by productions amounted to $156 million in-state purchases in 2022
- The film industry reduced unemployment by 0.5% in coastal counties in 2022
- $320 million in construction spending for soundstages and facilities from 2018-2022
- Wilmington's economy gained $450 million from film over the last decade through 2022
- Film-driven retail sales tax increased by $12 million in 2022 statewide
- Induced economic effects from employee spending totaled $380 million in 2022
- Property values near studios rose 8% due to film industry presence in 2022
- NC film industry supported 2,800 small businesses in 2022 with contracts
- Annual economic impact per production averaged $4.5 million in NC for 2022
- Film sector contributed 0.4% to NC's total GDP in 2022
- $67 million in wages paid to in-state cast and crew in FY2022
- Local government received $18 million in film-related fees and permits in 2022
- Energy consumption from productions supported $5 million in utility revenues in 2022
- Film industry philanthropy totaled $2.5 million in donations in NC 2022
- Transportation sector earned $35 million from film logistics in 2022
- Healthcare spending by productions reached $8 million in 2022
- Education partnerships generated $1.2 million in training funds from film in 2022
Economic 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
- 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
- Below-the-line crew employed 4,300 on NC shoots in 2022
- Women comprised 38% of film workforce in NC during 2022
- Minority hires reached 25% of total film jobs in 2022
- Wilmington studios employed 1,800 full-time staff in 2022
- Charlotte added 650 film jobs in 2022, growing 12% YoY
- Training programs graduated 450 new crew members in 2022
- Average film wage in NC was $62,000 annually in 2022
- 320 internships provided by productions in 2022
- Union memberships grew by 15% to 2,100 in NC film locals 2022
- Post-production roles increased to 850 jobs in 2022
- VFX artists employed numbered 420 in NC firms 2022
- Extras casting filled 15,000 roles across 2022 productions
- Local hires mandated at 75% of crew in incentive projects 2022
- Freelance grips and electrics worked 18,000 shifts in 2022
- Production assistants totaled 900 hires in 2022 season
- Stunt performers logged 2,500 bookings in NC films 2022
- Costume designers and wardrobe staff: 250 employed 2022
- Set designers created jobs for 180 locals in 2022
- Camera department hires: 650 across productions 2022
- Sound mixers and boom ops: 320 roles filled 2022
- Editors in NC post houses: 380 full-time equivalents 2022
Employment 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
- 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
- $15 million in credits transferred to NC studios and vendors 2022
- Average incentive per project was $780,000 in FY2022
- Wilmington captured 57% of total credits issued in 2022
- Charlotte received $22 million in film incentives 2022
- Commercials utilized $14 million in credits from 320 shoots 2022
- Streaming platforms redeemed $45 million credits in 2022
- Feature films secured $38 million total rebates 2022
- In-state vendor bonus added $9 million to credits 2022
- Payroll credits on $384M spend yielded 25% return rate 2022
- Audits approved 98% of credit applications in 2022
- $5.2 million in acoustic credit for soundstage builds 2022
- Non-resident cast uplift claimed on $45M wages 2022
- 15 new productions attracted solely by incentive program 2022
- Credits ROI estimated at 4:1 economic multiplier 2022
- Digital media incentives totaled $3.8 million in 2022
- Local government matching funds unlocked $2M credits 2022
- Cap of $30M annual credits nearly reached at $28.5M 2022
Incentive 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
- 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
- EUE Screen Gems Studios hosted 20 major productions in 2022
- Iron Man 3 principal photography spent $28 million in NC 2013
- Fox's Accused anthology series shot Season 1 in Charlotte 2022
- Dawson's Creek filmed 6 seasons in Wilmington, economic legacy $500M
- The Black Phone horror film spent $18M in NC 2021
- Resident Alien Season 2 production in Wilmington $12M spend
- Dirty Dancing 35th anniversary shoot in NC mountains 2022
- NC hosted 12 Hallmark movies in 2022, total spend $24M
- Titans Season 4 finale episodes filmed in NC studios 2022
- Love, Simon sequel shot exteriors in Raleigh 2022
- NC's film wins included 3 Emmys for Outer Banks in 2022
- Wilmington International Film Festival screened 150 NC shorts 2022
- A24's Men horror film principal NC shoot $10M spend 2021
- NC-shot episodes of Riverdale Season 6 totaled $8M
- The School for Good and Evil Netflix film $15M NC spend 2021
- 25 feature films premiered from NC shoots at Sundance 2022
- NC's Underwater horror franchise generated $200M box office from local prod
- 45 commercials for national brands shot in NC 2022, incl. Coca-Cola $5M
- Euphoria HBO visited NC for reshoots, $3M spend 2022
Notable 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
- 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
- Feature films spent an average of $25 million each, with 12 projects totaling $300 million in 2022
- Streaming content spend reached $210 million from 35 productions in FY2022
- Wilmington hosted productions spending $220 million locally in 2022
- Charlotte's spend totaled $98 million from 42 projects in 2022
- Independent films contributed $42 million from 28 projects in 2022
- Post-production services billed $75 million in-state in 2022
- Location scouting and permitting fees embedded in $15 million spend in 2022
- VFX and animation spend by NC productions was $28 million in 2022
- Music and sound design expenditures totaled $12 million in 2022
- Wardrobe and props purchases reached $19 million locally in 2022
- Catering services for crews cost $22 million across productions in 2022
- Equipment rentals from NC vendors totaled $45 million in 2022
- Hotel accommodations billed $68 million to productions in 2022
- Ground transportation expenditures were $14 million in 2022
- Insurance premiums paid locally amounted to $9 million in 2022
- Legal and accounting services for films cost $7.5 million in 2022
- Marketing and publicity spend by NC productions was $11 million in 2022
- Construction and set building totaled $33 million in qualified spend 2022
- Digital effects outsourcing to NC firms was $18 million in 2022
- Payroll processing fees embedded $4 million in production budgets 2022
- Printing and duplication services cost $2.8 million in 2022
- Security services for shoots billed $6.2 million in 2022
- Animal handling and training for films cost $1.5 million in 2022
Production 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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