DCVB Announces Launch of Triangle Regional Film Commission

After months of work in cooperation with the state Film Office, Hollywood producer Thom Mount, and local media producers Sandy Freeman and Rob Shoaf, DCVB is proud to announce the launch of the Triangle Regional Film Commission. 

An expansion of the Durham Film Commission to serve the 13 county region of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, the Triangle Regional Film Commission will cultivate, promote and support production of motion pictures and television programs throughout the area. DCVB will provide office space and a variety of services to the Commission as it gets up and running.

The Commission will operate as a 501 (c) (3) organization governed by a Board of Directors that will initially include Thom Mount, President of WestMount Media and producer of the movie Bull Durham; Bob Chapman, President of Traditional Neighborhood Development Partners; Bill Bell, Mayor of Durham, Shelly Green, President & CEO of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau and a few other yet-to-be-named board members.

Long-time producer/director Rob Shoaf, will serve as Executive Director of the Commission.  Sandy Freeman, a producer/director with The Freeman Group and Carolyn Carney, Director of Visitor Services of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau and Commissioner for the Durham Film Office will round out the staff.

An advisory board will be established with representatives from each of the 13 counties in the region plus Aaron Syrett, Director of the NC Film Commission.

The Commission’s overriding goal is to generate business for the region, through the production of motion pictures including television, film, video, and new media technologies.  The Commission will also focus on increasing the size and skill of the crew base in the region in order to make production more cost effective.  It will also pursue specific projects such as converting or building space for sound stages and locating an episodic television show in those facilities.

“Durham has a long history of working with the film industry,” said Shelly Green, President & CEO of the DCVB.  “Of course, Bull Durham immediately comes to mind when you say Durham and film, but Durham has also played a role in the making of 17 additional feature films plus hundreds of commercials, television episodes and documentary films. We are looking forward to expanding those efforts into the broader region which will provide a plethora of additional sites and opportunities for film makers.”

The Commission will be up and running in early September.