Asheville
Asheville has been a longtime filming favorite for many productions because of the town and beautiful surrounding areas. Productions go as far back to the silent-era when Conquest of Canaan was filmed. However, maybe the most influential factor for filing in Ashville is the close proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountain Range. With over 6,000 acres of lush forest and spanning views of the mountains range, there are endless opportunities for scenic backdrops. Asheville was the backdrop for the Oscar-winning productions Forest Gump and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and blockbusters like The Hunger Games.
Wilmington
Home to EUE Screen Gem Studios, the largest domestic movie and TV studio outside of California, the port town, Wilmington had been a popular filming destination for years now. Wilmington has even been nicknamed “Hollywood East” and “Wilmywood” after the dozens of productions that have been filmed and produced there. The coastal town boasts a charming seaside vibe with dozens of waterfront, and in-town, locations to choose from.
Famous filing locations include “The Riverwalk”, which has been the backdrop for TV shows like Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill and Sleepy Hollow. The Wilmington Convention Center was featured in the 2013 blockbusters Iron Man 3 and Safe Haven. Other popular filming locations include the Greystone Inn, Thalian Hall Center for Performing Arts and Cape Fear Community College.
Wilmington Riverwalk, Credit Visit North Carolina
Southport
Southport, a charming beachside town in North Carolina, is a filming hidden gem for productions. The town has a unique seaside charm that many past productions have taken advantage of. It also helps that their waterfront locations make it easy to capture beautiful waterside scenes.
The Nicolas Sparks adaption Safe Haven has been said to capture the true beauty of the town and the surrounding areas. Other past productions include TV shows Dawson’s Creek and Revenge and movies A Walk to Remember and Crimes of the Heart.
Lake Fontana
The largest lake in western North Carolina and surrounded by gorgeous views of the Great Smoky Mountains, Lake Fontana outside of Ashville is a filmmaker’s dream. There is no limit to the scenic backdrops with the lake, waterfront locations and acres of lush forests. The famous American drama, Nell was filmed there and nominated for Best Motion Picture at the 52nd Golden Globe Awards. With its beautiful scenery, Lake Fontana can be the perfect destination for rural/nature scenes.
Durham Athletic Park
Durham Athletic Park became one of the most famous minor league baseball fields in history after the film Bull Durham. The movie followed a baseball team and immensely increased public interest in minor league baseball. The park’s fame from the classic movie would make any filmmaker lucky to use it for any type of athletic or leisure scene.
Durham Athletic Park, Credit Ildar Sagdejev
The Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is a 200-mile stretch of barrier islands and coastlines of North Carolina. The stretch has been a popular tourist destination for years because of the spanning coastal lines and ominous occurrence of shipwrecks. However, the Outer Banks can be the perfect filming location. There is no shortage of waterfront locations, sandy shores, and waterside towns that are unlike any other across the county. The Netflix original Outer Banks is an impressively popular functional drama about this community that brings light to the area and, more importantly, the filming opportunities.
Lake Lure & Chimney Rock
Because of their close proximity, Lake Lure and Chimney Rock in Rutherford County can be grouped together as two beautiful filming locations. Famous from the original Dirty Dancing in 1987, Lake Lure has waterfront locations and lush forest that is perfect for any natural shot needed. Chimney Rock is one of the most iconic natural sites in the state and the backdrop for the infamous 1992 movie The Last of the Mohicans.
