With the great weather and scenic beauty in South Carolina, it is curious to me that we do not see more films being made in our state. But the South Carolina Film Commission announced today that it is accepting applications from independent film makers for grants to support short-film projects which may help to bring more projects, jobs & money to SC.
The Production Fund, which will be offered in collaboration with the University of South Carolina and Trident Technical College, will provide grant funds for one major short-film project valued at $100,000, and up to six “mini-grants” for smaller short films funded on an as-needed basis (from $2,000 to $10,000 for each project.) While it could be argued that the economic impact of this program is going to be small, the long term benefits to South Carolina will be immense. If we can get people that have never experienced the joys of South Carolina to visit, then we are just one step closer to getting them to move here or locate their business here. Even if it is just a film being made in South Carolina, the impact on the local economy will be a great positive thing. We need to do everything we can to promote SC while improving the quality of life here. And money being spent on the Arts is a great way to make SC even better and more attractive in my opinion.
The clock is ticking because applications for both sets of funds will be accepted until Friday, Aug. 27 only! Any interested producers can find details about funding levels, applications and instructions here.
The Production Fund was created to develop collaborative projects between the film industry and institutions of higher learning. The projects help independent producers and other professionals in the motion picture industry work with students to help build a talent pool and with people already in the field who want to sharpen their skills. In other words, this project may help people just starting out to become the next big name in the world of films & the art of movie making. Which is a good thing because they will always remember where they got their start: South Carolina!
The projects that receive the mini grants will be managed through Trident Tech for the 2010-2011 academic year and will be part of the curriculum of the Division of Film, Media, and Visual Arts. The single, major short-film project that is awarded the $100,000 grant will be managed through USC for the 2011-2012 school year and will be part of the curriculum of the USC Media Arts Area of the Art Department, collaborating with USC Theater Department. It is great that we have money being spent to help an area of the Arts that often gets corrupted by Hollywood and because of these grants, the film makers can stay true to their vision for the film.
In addition to offering production grants, the Film Commission will host a series of seminars from August 2010 to July 2011 for media professionals and students studying film in South Carolina. Sessions will cover lighting, directing, location management, producing and safety workshops. For more information on workshops, go here.
For more information on the grants or the workshops, call Tom Clark at (803) 737-0498. Become a fan of the South Carolina Film Commission on Facebook and remain updated on news and developments.
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