What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1065377
6 WHAT'S UP! DECEMBER 23-29, 2018 Film Continued From Page 5 There's little doubt that things are on an uphill swing in that arena: In addition to the films that Rockhill has worked on, an entire season of HBO's "True Detective" was shot in Fayetteville over the summer, and HGTV shot the home renovation reality television show "Almost Home," starring Bentonville's Jenny and Dave Marrs, during the same time period. Those shows are soon to hit the airwaves, giving the scenic views and verdant mountains of Northwest Arkansas a nationwide audience. "We found Bentonville to be full of wonderful people who greeted our production with open arms, anxious to help us in any way possible," says HGTV's John Feld, senior vice president of original programming. "As in many communities like this, much love and attention to detail was put in the building of these homes. Our attempt is to approach each renovation with the same reverence. The final renovations are all stunning." The fact that companies are attracted to Northwest Arkansas means a definite economic boost to the area, Kerri Elder says. "I've spent a lot of time researching the impact, and I know the film commission has, as well," she says. "The best data I found is that when a production comes to an area, it brings with it 1.6 times what the budget is in the form of revenue generated into the local economy. "And from an art standpoint, we have a tremendous amount of local talent for commercial productions, a lot of which has been outsourced through the years — but that can change. And it is changing, because of the talent and the facilities. We have a great corporate environment here, and, hopefully, they won't have to outsource so much — and that's good for the corporate sector, as well as the arts." "The film commission seeks productions of all scales — from regional and national commercials to series and feature films," says Arkansas Film Commissioner Christopher Crane. "Each production has something to offer Arkansas in the way of economic benefit because of raw expenditures, jobs and exposure. Sometimes we pursue a project that doesn't come to fruition in the state or at all, and it can take years to close a deal. But each time we have a production crew in the state, it provides another opportunity to impress upon the industry what Arkansas can do for them to make their production successful."