The deadline to apply for some of that Dirty Dancing money that went unused ($4M) was August 7th.
Although there has been no official statement, out of the 17 productions who applied, I have been hearing things. You know how that goes. I can’t officially tell you for sure if these projects got approved and accepted the grant money, but I can tell you they applied. You know how things go in the biz, things change every 5 minutes. But, lemme tell ya what the buzz is all about.
First up, TNT could be bringing us the pilot, Good Behavior, a one hour drama.
And for all you Downton Abbey and Wayward Pines fans, you will be quite pleased if they film here! The series is based on the Letty Dobesh books by Wayward Pines author Blake Crouch. Good Behavior is written both Blake Crouch and Chad Hodge. They will serve as executive producers for the show as well. The show will star Michelle Dockery who you know as Lady Mary Crawley of Downton Abbey. She will play Letty Dodesh.
The storyline is about “a thief and a con artist whose life is always one wrong turn, one bad decision from implosion — which is exactly how she likes it. Fresh out of prison, Letty is attempting to stay afloat, but when she overhears a hit man being hired to kill a man’s wife, she sets out to derail the job, putting her on a collision course with the killer and entangling them in a dangerous and seductive relationship.”
Also applying for the Dirty Dancing cash is the father/son flick The Legacy Of A Whitetail Deer Hunter. If they got approved they would be heading to the Asheville area. The feature stars Josh Brolin and Danny McBride. Danny and his partner in crime Jody Hill are the writers and executive producers. The project is coming from Scott Rudin Productions and Rough House. Jody Hill will be directing. They also looked at Georgia for locations as well, so will they take the money or head south?
Both project are slated to begin in October.
UPDATE ON STORY BELOW: READ NOW!
Now I don’t think there is anymore money until the state budget is finalized and the NC Film Grant is replenished. With that being said, remember that 2nd pilot I was telling you about? I know they applied, but I don’t know if they got it or not. If they didn’t, I am really hoping they will reapply. It’s called The Wilding and it’s another supernatural project from Tim Kring. You know, the Crossing Jordan/Heroes guy!
This is an NBC production shooting for USA Network. And you know how USA operates. If they see a show doing well, they will order multiple seasons! Just look at Burn Notice and White Collar.
Now the cool part! The NBC project was specifically written for North Carolina, most of it in Durham. When does a North Carolina city get the chance to play itself? It’s rare!
The supernatural drama gives us the storyline about a group of “disparate families who realize they are enduring the same haunting in Durham, North Carolina. As parents turn against their children, one fractured family realizes they have the potential to save their neighbors. The mother, a psychiatrist, learns to help her daughter whose condition is indefinable by modern medicine.”
This project would use the statewide crew base. These are exactly the type of productions that the legislators want. Long term productions that showcase the state.
So, now we wait for the official word which should be any day now.
Whoever didn’t get the Dirty Dancing money will have to reapply when the film grant is refilled IF there is any change in the language when the budget comes out (with a number we don’t know yet). There will be projects that just can’t wait and will go to other states, but there will be some who will. Then there will be those applying for the first time.
All we can do at this point is hold our breath until the budget comes out – you know that thing that is 7 weeks overdue. SIGH.
As soon as the official word comes out about what’s coming to NC for real-zees, I will let you know 🙂
(Sources)
EW
Deadline
Season-Zero
The Wilmywood Daily 