Chamber luncheon features talk about film industry
Published 3:39 pm Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Guest speaker: Courtney Murphy (center) with the Alabama Film Office was the guest speaker Tuesday at the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce luncheon. She is pictured with Chamber Board of Directors President Van Forrester (left) and Grayson Russell, a Clanton resident who has appeared in several films and television series. (Photo by Stephen Dawkins / Advertiser)
Courtney Murphy with the Alabama Film Office spoke Tuesday at the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon, following two exciting announcements about local businesses.
Before Murphy was introduced, Chamber Managing Consultant Janice Hull announced that Clanton retailer MorLyn’s Fine Jewelry and Gifts had been chosen as a finalist for the Alabama Retailer of the Year Award.
The final award winners will be announced Oct. 6.
Business owners Ann and Tommy Glasscock thanked those in attendance at the luncheon for contributing to the success of MorLyn’s.
“We were just thrilled when we got that email,” Ann Glasscock said about being notified that MorLyn’s was chosen as a finalist.
Hull also introduced guest Sonia Bertolone-Carrillo, who operated Joe’s Italian restaurant in Alabaster and plans to open a restaurant in Clanton.
“We look forward to being a part of the community,” Bertolone-Carrillo said.
After the announcements–and introduction of new members and door prizes, Murphy was introduced by Chamber Board of Directors President Van Forrester.
The Alabama Film Office began in 1978 as a division of the Alabama Department of Commerce.
While filming locations used to be based on uncontrollable factors such as climate, Murphy said recruiting production to different areas of the country has become competitive.
Alabama adopted the Entertainment Industry Incentive Act, targeting productions with budgets ranging from $500,000 to $20 million with incentives including sales tax and lodging tax breaks, and tax credits on expenditures.
Murphy said several films and full-season television shows have been filmed in Alabama since 2009, when the act was adopted. Films include “Vice,” “Selma” and the forthcoming “Woodlawn;” and series include “Beachfront Flip.”
“We’re really pleased with the impact that the incentives have made,” Murphy said.
Murphy encouraged communities such as those in Chilton County to be “camera ready” by sharing information and photos of sites that could be potential filming sites with the Film Office, through the organization’s website, alabamafilm.org.
The next Chamber luncheon will be Sept. 1, also at Clanton First United Methodist Church’s Helen Parrish Activity Center. The speaker will be Superintendent of Education Tommy Glasscock.
