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| Mountain Democrat -
December 11, 2002 |
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Hallmark Leaves Its Mark On County |
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Prime
Locale
Because El Dorado County has so many beautiful locations,
including Lake Tahoe, Coloma, ski resorts, the Cosumnes and
American rivers and myriad other sites, it is a desirable locale
for production companies. It is not terribly far from Hollywood,
and Dodge said that every production that comes to the county is
pleased by their reception.
For this endeavour, the help of several federal, state, county
and city agencies is paramount. Dodge is really impressed by the
cooperation of residents, the Forest Service, the state parks,
Caltrans, county and city officials as well as all the
protection agencies, including police, sheriff, and fire
departments as well as the Highway Patrol.
The Thomas Kinkade Foundation has also been of great assistance,
according to Dodge. "They have a commitment to our community,"
she said. "You see, this film almost couldn't be made in this
county, because we couldn't provide competitive accommodations.
There's only one place in the county that can lodge a group of
this size, so we had no bargaining power. Thanks to a grant from
the Thomas Kinkade Foundation, we were able to subsidize the
lodging."
Dodge explained that a few thousand dollars off accommodations
is a great investment. Films bring great revenue and prestige to
the county and generate thousands of dollars in business and
taxes. "While the cast and crew is staying here, they shop in
our stores, they eat in our restaurants and seek entertainment.
Then they tell their friends and family how wonderful it is
here, and more tourist dollars are generated," Dodge said.
Bigger movie sets have caterers, but their supplies are bought
locally. When shoots last long enough for the "third meal" to be
incurred, casts and crews are prone to order every pizza in town
or descend on all the restaurants and takeout places in town. In
addition, props are often purchased within the county along with
countless batteries, lumber, propane and other equipment.
Local extras get a chance to act on their own turf and local
actors are often cast in the films. The El Dorado Film
Commission has an informative Web site where people can register
their homes and property as set locations and find out how to
become an extra.
The Web site, at
filmtahoe.com chronicles what is happening in El Dorado
County's film industry. The Film Commission can be reached at
621-5885 for more information.
When Dodge convinced the county about 10 years ago that a film
commissioner role would be beneficial, she had some mountains to
climb. The former NBC page networked and worked tirelessly to
attract the film and commercial industry to the county. As 2003
dawns bright, a cabin amid the rolling hills of the Bacchi ranch
is a testament to El Dorado County's viability as a movie site.
"What's great about this location is that it's so wide open. It
gives an epic feel," said Michael Moran, vice president of
production and development for the Stonewerks Motion Picture
Group, which develops Hallmark movies.
The beautiful, gated terrain where cows graze in tall grass
studded with oaks and where pines line the sunset ridges is
bound to be a film destination, Dodge said.
Article By Susana Carey Wey - Dec. 11, 2002 |
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