Do you believe in miracles?: ire is no surprise in “Miracle,” but a good movie Seahawks back on track: Men’s basketball beat Towson, JMU Serving UNC Wilmington since n. Film industry brings income to area Shana Baldwin Correspondent “Show me the money” is said in the film industry more than one would think. In the past the film industry has brought an economic boom to the Wilmington community. Recently films have gone else where due to tax incentives that make filming cheaper for produc tion companies. From 1993-1995, the film rev enue to the Wilmington area was over $720 million. For over 800 local crew members and 100 actors in the area more jobs were available during this time. When production is low, a number of these individuals go on unemployment or do some sort of side work. Screen Gems president Frank Capra Jr. said, “Over the years quite a strong infrastructure has been built up of people, of equip ment, of companies that are dependent on film and television production for a living. It is very important to uS as a commonity and as a studio to encourage pro duction as much as possible here in Wilmington.” The money ingested into the community is a major benefit from these productions. Pat Sweeney, stage manager of “One Tree Hill,” a fresh new WB series, said “Anything we use has to be paid for: housing, restaurants, rental cars. While not working we go to restaurants and other estab lishments.” Approximately $1 million is Dan HackerAhe Seahawk “One Tree Hill,” which was filmed in Trask this week, brings millions of dollars to the area. spent in the local community for each “One Tree Hill” episode. Multiplied by 22 episodes, a lot of money is going toward local busi nesses. Capra recently went to California with Wilmington film commissioner Johnny Griffin to recruit productions to the Wilmington area. “We do that probably two or three times a year. We usually see anywhere between 15 to 20 indi viduals or core groups,” Capra said. A production company’s deci sion on where to film is often based on incentive programs. Capra said, “We’ve been told by so many producers in Los Angeles and New York that if we had an incentive program they would not go to Canada, they would come to North Carolina and more specifically Wilmington,” Capra said. “In Louisiana you get 15 per cent of your money spent there back as a tax credit, and then the tax credit is transferable. You end up with about 10 percent sav ings,” Capra said. “Johnny and I and a number of people in our industry here are pushing to get a state tax incentive in North Carolina which may be equivalent to about a 10 percent savings. The legislature goes back into session in May. They will want to hear what the public has to say about this. So, I think that every letter and telephone call and so forth, on behalf of the incentive program, would be very useful.” Dan Hacker/lhe Seahawk Screen Gems Studios brings in jobs as well to over 100 actors and 800 local crew mem bers. Nursing Department organizes new health center Kiara Jones Assistant News Editor Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo and Congressman Mike McIntyre commemorated the opening of the Bolton Health and Wellness Center on Feb. 7. Located in Southeastern North Carolina, Bolton holds the highest number of prostate cancer patients in the nation and the highest rate of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease in the state among African-Americans. UNCW's nursing department organized the health project, pro viding an alternative to the popu lation’s minimal access to health care. “Under the leadership of the UNC-Wilmington School of Nursing and with the help of Congressman Mike McIntyre, a wonderful health partnership has been formed to bring access to pri mary health care to a previously underserved community,” DePaolo said in the press release. The center began accepting patients in January. Existing serv ices include primary care,, depres sion screening, blood pressure and glucose screening, counseling, health and empowerment educa tion and community problem solv ing. The center is managed by nurses and is a “service-leaming See nursing Page 3 Visit Us www.theseahawk.org OP/ED 4 lnsld« This lssu» UNCW Life 6 Classifieds 9 Sports 12 Contact Us Editorial: 962-3229 Ads: 962-3789

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