By By Spencer Donovan
Copyright postandcourier
“We’re training young people here to be tomorrow’s crew, and the goal is to keep them in the state, not train them so they can leave,” Sokolow said.
It’s not just a push by companies and educational institutions that has driven this change, Sokolow said, but the interest of people here.
In his few years living here, he’s already seen growing interest in the landscape, helped in part by institutional changes. For example, the film commission successfully lowered the minimum investment required to access the state’s rebates, from $1 million to $250,000, he said.
The outcome of all this activity remains to be seen. It’s hard to compete with Ireland, which provides 90 percent of a production’s rebate upfront.
The Upstate has potential, but it’s quite early, Sokolow said. Hollywood’s hub is 100 years old. Atlanta’s hub is 30 years old. New Jersey has become an emerging hub, along with other locations. Building an industry takes time, but the more activity in South Carolina, the better.
Local efforts have already helped bring the latest season of “Top Chef” to Greenville, which was recruited solely by local agencies.
More support for film incentives from Upstate representatives in the Statehouse could help, Storm said. Other local efforts might include discounted room blocks at hotels, in partnership with visitor and economic development agencies like VisitGreenvilleSC and OneSpartanburg.
“The more that the state supports it, the more that Greenville supports it, the more that producers come here that know how to do the work, and the more that we can cultivate a local, strong workforce and a deep bench so more than one thing can shoot at once with a quality crew, then the sky’s the limit,” Sokolow said.
