Asheville, You're a Star!
Since the filming of The Conquest of Canaan in 1921, Asheville has been a hot spot for film makers. In 2014, Moviemakers.com listed Asheville as the #1 town to live and work. From our beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains to our timeless art deco buildings of downtown, this area could very well be the South’s answer to Hollywood.
The Past
The Swan starring Grace Kelly and Alec Guinness was shot at the Biltmore Estate and nearby Lake Junaluska in 1956. It was the story of a fairytale princess courted by a commoner. Last of the Mohicans (1992) starring Daniel Day Lewis and based on the novel by James Fennimore Cooper was shot in the Asheville area, mostly at Chimney Rock National Park. The Biltmore and the Blue Ridge Parkway offer the setting for Patch Adams (1998) that starred Robin Williams.
The Present
The recent Hunger Games series was filmed in and around DuPont Forest and Black Mountain. The outdoor scenes are filled with our great forested areas and are cinematically beautiful. The local author Ron Rash has recently seen two of his books turned into films - both of which were filmed in this area. The World Made Straight (which stars Noah Wylie) and Serena (starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence) were both released in the winter of 2014/2015 and center around stories relating to the history of Western North Carolina.
There is a growing number of films being show in and around this area. In the last few months, independent film makers have used Carolina Mornings vacation properties, Truly Breathless and Storybrooke Place as their home base while shooting in the Asheville area. Truly Breathless is a beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bath cabin with incredible long range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains yet is only 35 minutes from downtown Asheville. Storybrooke Place is like a fairy-tale. This 4-bedroom, 3.5 bath arts and crafts masterpiece has amazing details and vintage decor - including a 1905 Brunswick billiards table.
The Future
Max, set to be released in June 2015, was partially filmed here in Asheville and tells the story of a heroic dog who helps US marines in Afghanistan. Masterminds, starring Owen Wilson, Kristen Wiig, and Zach Galifianakis was shot in and around downtown Asheville. The BB&T building on Broadway is highlighted in the film as are many local spots. The release date for Masterminds is set for August 2015. A TV remake of Dirty Dancing is in the works and mostly likely will start film this April at Lake Lure (where the original was shot). Darkening Land, a local Cherokee Language film from director David Kabler, is currently in production and promises to be an historical, action-packed adventure.
With so many films that have been shot here in the area throughout the years, it would be impossible to mention them all. This blog post mentions only a handful of the greats. The NC Film Website is an excellent resource for those looking to explore and learn more about films and TV shows that have been shot locally.
Whether you enjoy creating films or watching them, Asheville awaits! Call Carolina Mornings vacation coordinators today. With over 100 properties in the Asheville area, we have the perfect home away from home for everyone - movie makers and movie watchers alike!
