NPR: Films Set in Alaska ... Aren't

Films Set in Alaska ... Aren't

The idea of a vampire movie set in Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost city in the United States, where darkness sets in for weeks on end each winter, was chilling.

Only 30 Days of Night wasn't really showing Barrow. It was filmed in the land of hobbits and sheep: New Zealand. And you remember that daring rescue in the Kevin Costner film about the Coast Guard, The Guardian, purported to take place 100 miles off the coast of Alaska? Actually, it was off the coast of Shreveport, La. (Which I would have picked as about the last place in the United States that could double for Alaska.) And in the upcoming Sandra Bullock film about Sitka, Alaska, you'll likely be seeing beautiful Massachusetts.

Talk about an identity crisis.

Day to Day reports that last week, a group of politicians, chamber of commerce members and filmmakers got together to talk about why nobody wants to make movies and TV shows set in Alaska in Alaska. A former Hollywood executive told them that it takes more than natural beauty to get filmmakers to show up. Alaska is one of the five states that don't offer filmmakers financial incentives like rebates or loans.

For instance, New Zealand offered the makers of 30 Days a 15 percent rebate. Canada, where the TV show Men in Trees is shot, has been a leader in offering these kinds of incentives.

Alaskans are hoping that the new Sean Penn film Into the Wild, which was shot in the 49th state, will increase people's interest in working there. But some are also looking to introduce incentive legislation, figuring the state is going to have to cough up some cash to prevent filmmakers from having Shreveport stand in.

4:39 PM ET | 11-13-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I know you're talking about movies but there was also a TV show that was set in Alaska but used a town in Washington state as its background - "Northern Exposure"

Sent by Jim Dodd | 4:54 PM ET | 11-13-2007

As someone who actually lives in the north, Canada's Yukon Territory (next to Alaska) I can tell you first-hand that we have plenty of substantial incentives and discount programs.

There's been a handful of well-known movies and television shows being shot up here as of late and from what I've heard, it's been a great experience for those involved. A little cold, but hey, you can't win 'em all, right?

I'm not affiliated with Yukon Film and Sound Commission, who represents this very industry, but invite anybody interested to check them out at http://reelyukon.com

Sent by Geof Harries | 5:59 PM ET | 11-13-2007

It's very simple. Alaska is far too cold to have a film crew live outside for months. That and it's very expensive to film there.

http://www.black-magic.co.nz
New Zealand Film News

Sent by Mark | 6:26 PM ET | 11-13-2007

Mark, film crews don't have to live outside for months. That's the purpose of heated tent cities.

Sent by Geof Harries | 11:16 AM ET | 11-14-2007

Meanwhile, didn't Boston change its tax breaks for productions that come to town after the producers of The Departed used NYC for all but a few of their shoots since they got a better tax break there? I remember when they were shooting in Boston for a few scenes that couldn't be substituted elsewhere, but it was really brief.

Sent by andy carvin | 1:13 PM ET | 11-14-2007

I do live in Sitka Alaska. It is expensive, for a rural area, here but not in relation to major urban centers around the U.S. I just hope the makers of the film come to Sitka to shoot some actual backround footage to show the absolute stunning beauty of the area. We have only the natural wonder of our home to offer. A town of 8,600 has little in the way of financial incentive to offer.

Sent by jeff l | 3:38 AM ET | 12-12-2007

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