Bluefield Daily Telegraph
GRUNDY, Va. — The cameras have stopped rolling in Grundy and the movie crew has moved on, but the impact of the weeks of filming is still being felt.
“I really think it’s been a very positive thing,” said Grundy Town Manager James Keene on Monday.
“Believe,” a Christmas move starring Grundy native Ryan O’Quinn and Princeton native Kevin Sizemore, wrapped up filming in Buchanan County over the weekend.
The last local scene for the film was shot at Poplar Gap State Park Saturday night with residents attending a big music festival, which was planned and organized by the movie company.
“The celebration Saturday tonight drew upwards of 4,000, I am told,” Keene said. “That’s a great response. They had good entertainment up there. We had the Christmas parade filming back in December with a great turnout.”
With a crew of about 70 in the area for the filming, Keene said the economic impact to Grundy and the surrounding area should be “significant.”
“When you look at the motels, food, vendors Saturday night at the festival, contractors and other various groups (who received work as part of the filming), it is difficult to get a handle on it (the total economic impact).” he said. “A lot of local people were also involved in the making of the film.”
Keene said the town and county provided as much assistance as they could in accommodating the filming and considered it a great investment.
“The chamber (of commerce) worked hand-in-hand with them and anything we could do as a town, much like we would do with a private industry (wanting to locate in the town), we did,” he said. “I really would not hesitate to do it again. I would be very happy. Send them to me.”
That message has not fallen on deaf ears in Mercer County.
County Commissioner Greg Puckett actually had a small role in a movie, but he also recognizes the economic impact of hosting a movie shoot.
Puckett spent a day last week in Grundy, where, he said, he had “a blast.”
“I was down there a full day with Kevin (Sizemore) and people on the set,” he said. “I was very impressed by Kevin and his personality, and his attitude of wanting to see this area succeed.”
Puckett played the role of a policeman.
“It was great,” he said. “I could not have asked for a better experience. The people (with the production company) were fantastic.”
Puckett said the impact a film shoot can have on a community is clear.
“We would love to have this in Mercer County,” he said. “We have an area which could provide showcases for a movie set. ... If you look at just our county, we’ve got a diverse area, from coal to recreation to parks. We have tons of stuff movie companies could be looking for.”
Puckett said hosting a film crew has a huge positive impact on small communities in more than just economics.
“It means a lot for the people, it increases the pride, and that’s something we need more of,” he said.
Puckett said it’s also exciting to have a local celebrity like Sizemore who knows the area and the background.
“Kevin is fantastic,” he said.
Jamie Null, executive director of the Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the economic impact is big.
“They (members of the film crew) have to stay in hotels, maybe for weeks if not longer,” she said. “They eat at local restaurants, shop at local stores.”
They also may explore the area.
One of the actresses in “Believe,” Danielle Nicolet, went on a hiking trip in the area with her husband during the Grundy filming, she said.
“They kind of become a local for a few short weeks,” she said of the members of the film crew.
Null, who spent an afternoon in Grundy observing the filming, said she works closely with the West Virginia Film Office, making sure they have plenty of photos and information on Mercer County.
“We respond to all emails (from the film office) if someone is looking for a site,” she said. “We may have a place that might get that director’s attention.”
“Having Kevin in our corner is a plus,” she added.
Puckett sees a concerted effort on promoting the area for a role in hosting a film production company.
“We are trying to encourage more opportunities like this,” he said.
Puckett also talks about having a “company’s coming” campaign to spruce up the county much like someone may clean a house when guests are expected.
“It would be an economic stimulus,” he said, “but also we could all come together and take pride in our area.”
The film, about a small-town business owner who tries to save a local Christmas pageant against all odds, is wrapping up filming in Bristol and is scheduled to open in 1,200 to 1,500 theaters in November.
— Contact Charles Boothe at [email protected].
GRUNDY, Va. — The cameras have stopped rolling in Grundy and the movie crew has moved on, but the impact of the weeks of filming is still being felt.
“I really think it’s been a very positive thing,” said Grundy Town Manager James Keene on Monday.
“Believe,” a Christmas move starring Grundy native Ryan O’Quinn and Princeton native Kevin Sizemore, wrapped up filming in Buchanan County over the weekend.
The last local scene for the film was shot at Poplar Gap State Park Saturday night with residents attending a big music festival, which was planned and organized by the movie company.
“The celebration Saturday tonight drew upwards of 4,000, I am told,” Keene said. “That’s a great response. They had good entertainment up there. We had the Christmas parade filming back in December with a great turnout.”
With a crew of about 70 in the area for the filming, Keene said the economic impact to Grundy and the surrounding area should be “significant.”
“When you look at the motels, food, vendors Saturday night at the festival, contractors and other various groups (who received work as part of the filming), it is difficult to get a handle on it (the total economic impact).” he said. “A lot of local people were also involved in the making of the film.”
Keene said the town and county provided as much assistance as they could in accommodating the filming and considered it a great investment.
“The chamber (of commerce) worked hand-in-hand with them and anything we could do as a town, much like we would do with a private industry (wanting to locate in the town), we did,” he said. “I really would not hesitate to do it again. I would be very happy. Send them to me.”
That message has not fallen on deaf ears in Mercer County.
County Commissioner Greg Puckett actually had a small role in a movie, but he also recognizes the economic impact of hosting a movie shoot.
Puckett spent a day last week in Grundy, where, he said, he had “a blast.”
“I was down there a full day with Kevin (Sizemore) and people on the set,” he said. “I was very impressed by Kevin and his personality, and his attitude of wanting to see this area succeed.”
Puckett played the role of a policeman.
“It was great,” he said. “I could not have asked for a better experience. The people (with the production company) were fantastic.”
Puckett said the impact a film shoot can have on a community is clear.
“We would love to have this in Mercer County,” he said. “We have an area which could provide showcases for a movie set. ... If you look at just our county, we’ve got a diverse area, from coal to recreation to parks. We have tons of stuff movie companies could be looking for.”
Puckett said hosting a film crew has a huge positive impact on small communities in more than just economics.
“It means a lot for the people, it increases the pride, and that’s something we need more of,” he said.
Puckett said it’s also exciting to have a local celebrity like Sizemore who knows the area and the background.
“Kevin is fantastic,” he said.
Jamie Null, executive director of the Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the economic impact is big.
“They (members of the film crew) have to stay in hotels, maybe for weeks if not longer,” she said. “They eat at local restaurants, shop at local stores.”
They also may explore the area.
One of the actresses in “Believe,” Danielle Nicolet, went on a hiking trip in the area with her husband during the Grundy filming, she said.
“They kind of become a local for a few short weeks,” she said of the members of the film crew.
Null, who spent an afternoon in Grundy observing the filming, said she works closely with the West Virginia Film Office, making sure they have plenty of photos and information on Mercer County.
“We respond to all emails (from the film office) if someone is looking for a site,” she said. “We may have a place that might get that director’s attention.”
“Having Kevin in our corner is a plus,” she added.
Puckett sees a concerted effort on promoting the area for a role in hosting a film production company.
“We are trying to encourage more opportunities like this,” he said.
Puckett also talks about having a “company’s coming” campaign to spruce up the county much like someone may clean a house when guests are expected.
“It would be an economic stimulus,” he said, “but also we could all come together and take pride in our area.”
The film, about a small-town business owner who tries to save a local Christmas pageant against all odds, is wrapping up filming in Bristol and is scheduled to open in 1,200 to 1,500 theaters in November.
— Contact Charles Boothe at [email protected].