Movie debut should be another good tourism draw

This week the movie “Safe Haven,” based on a novel by best-selling author Nicholas Sparks, lights up the big screen.
Shot on location in Southport and in other nearby areas, we hope this movie means more good things are in the future for Brunswick County.
For many years Brunswick County has been a good draw for television and moviemakers. The moderate temperatures and welcoming community have made it a good place to set up shop for the extended hours of filming that go into million dollar productions.
Right now the spotlight is on “Safe Haven,” but the county is also shining in the television series “Revolution,” which airs on NBC.
“We’re the Millers,” starring Jennifer Aniston, recently filmed here, including some scenes at the old Brunswick Community Hospital and in Brunswick Forest in Leland.
It wasn’t that long ago that HBO crews were here shooting episodes of “Eastbound and Down,” at the home of Ronnie and Clarice Holden.
Another HBO production, “Mary and Martha,” starring Hilary Swank, filmed in our county last year.
These productions join the list of other locally shot films such as “Nights in Rodanthe,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “A Walk to Remember,” “Firestarter,” “Crimes of the Heart,” “Weekend at Bernie’s” and the long-running television series “Dawson’s Creek.”
The upcoming “Iron Man 3” even took in some filming time in Oak Island last year.
These productions provide us with opportunities to share the natural beauty of coastal Brunswick County with the rest of the world.
With tourist season just around the corner, we hope “Safe Haven” and other productions will be an added draw to bring more tourists to our area.
If you have family or friends who don’t live nearby, now is the time to catch their attention. Encourage them to check out “Safe Haven” and other productions filmed here. Give them a reason to come and visit.
When tourist season kicks off around Easter, we’d love to see all local rentals full of family and friends and no vacancy signs on local hotels.
And, if you have the time, maybe you’ll want to take in a showing of “Safe Haven,” too. Doing so can continue to help boost our economy and can help keep the spotlight on our community and businesses.