New Cinderella film project starts here in February

A division of Warner Bros. has set up shop in Wilmington to film “A Cinderella Story” which will air on the ABC Family television network.

The production staff offices have housed their operations in the Burnt Mill Business Park while they produce and shoot the 90-minute film, a contemporary Cinderella story with music. All of the show’s scenes will be filmed around Wilmington including such notable locations as Airlie Gardens, downtown Wilmington, St. James Parish, the Graystone Inn and UNCW, said the show's producer, Thomas Keniston.

The director, writers and song writers on this film have worked on another Cinderella before, but this one is not a sequel or a remake. The DVD division of Warner Bros. is producing the film, starring actress Lucy Hale of the network series "Pretty Little Liars." Filming is set for Feb. 9 to March 18.

Wilmington’s glass slipper

The production staff looked at several locations including Vancouver, Boston and New Orleans before choosing Wilmington. Several factors led them to the Port City. One, the exchange rate would have cost the production about $40,000 more to shoot the film in Canada. Two, the New Orleans film commissioner told them that the city was too crowded with current film projects and they would have to film in Shreveport, La.

"They have so much stuff [in Louisiana], they run out of crews," Keniston said.

Three, Boston is much snowier this time of year.

"And also, Wilmington is prettier," he said.

Prince Charming’s charms

A large part of the $5 million budget film will be spent here.

"We’ll spend about $3.5 million in Wilmington and North Carolina in the next seven weeks," Keniston said.

That includes rent for office space and housing, food, wardrobe, props and set dressing. He estimates the production will spend about $40,000 alone in gas.

Thus far, the film has employed about 57 local film industry professionals across various departments. Once shooting begins, that number will swell to about 100 people locally. They plan to wrap up the production by April 1. But, Keniston hopes to line up another project or two here.

"I always encourage people to come here, because it’s got great crews, you’re living on the beach, it’s so lovely and everyone’s so nice here and it’s a good quality of life," he said.

He has drafted a budget for a possible Warner Bros. children’s series he’d like to shoot in Wilmington. And, he said he’s spoken to a few other people interested in shooting independent films here.

The experienced and skilled base of film industry professionals that has grown in Wilmington over the years is the area’s biggest draw for film productions, he said.

"Of all the states outside New York and L.A., Wilmington has the best [and] is definitely third in line and fighting with New Orleans, but I think has the best crew base," he said. "Supporting those people, I think, is critical."

New Cinderella film project starts here in February

What makes you happy?

An article read to me last night by my wife, Kathy, prompted this post. Normally, I'm like most people, I'd rather read the thing myself but she was insistent and I was intrigued.

It isn't about the big things that happen in life that make me happy. It's all those little things that add up to a great day. The kind of day that when your head hits the pillow, you let out a self satisfied ahhhhhhh.

For instance, the fact that my dogs are always so delighted to see me makes me happy. Knowing that at the end of a long day, I have some supremely soft and warm casual pants to lounge around in, makes me happy. We moved a small trashcan in our kitchen out and moved a nicer and larger one with a self closing lid into the space it left. (Makes for fewer trips outside to the trash bin and keeps the trash hidden away). Little things.

Looking outside today at the sunshine, blue skies and the intracoastal, made me smile. I'm happy. What makes you happy?

DoD: Basic housing allowance decrease won't affect Lejeune area | decrease, housing, lejeune - News - ENCToday

Thought I'd share the article below. We represent several properties that our military find attractive, The Reserve at Holly Ridge being the newest of the communities. Due to start within the next couple of months, The Reserve will feature William Poole Designs with homes starting at $199,900. Visit http://www.TheReserveatHollyRidgeNC.com, or our website at http://www.RandBurchfield.com.

DoD: Basic housing allowance decrease won't affect Lejeune area | decrease, housing, lejeune - News - ENCToday

Ten Tips to Snag a Mortgage Loan in 2011

10 mortgage loan tips

1. Have the right credit score
2. Protect and preserve your credit
3. Shop around
4. Know your borrowing limit
5. Don't reset the calendar
6. Consider a no-closing-cost refi
7. Small down payment? See the feds
8. Small loan? Act early
9. Make an extra payment
10. See a counselor


Read more: 10 tips to snag a mortgage loan in 2011 http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/10-tips-to-snag-a-mortgage-loan-in-2011-1.aspx#ixzz1BPh9EK4x

I want to see blue skies and sunshine!!!

Okay, last Monday it was snowing. Today, it is raining. I was speaking to Joe from New York this morning and he says that his area is expecting a rain/ice combo this evening. All of a sudden, I feel pretty good! Thought I'd post this photo, just to remind myself that summer isn't very far away.

The Oaks at Boca Bay

Topsail Island Bridge Replacement Project

I've posted one of the alternatives on this blog earlier in the month. This is the video of the meeting held by the DOT back in October of last year. Included are all of the replacement ideas being studied by the NCDOT. The meeting was well attended by nearly 300 Surf City and Topsail Island citizens.

Topsail Island and The Oaks at Boca Bay Townhomes

The new townhomes in The Oaks at Boca Bay! These two already have new homeowners but there are two new homes starting shortly! Boca Bay is located on its own island, just off Topsail Island. The owners of this property have been and continue to be, good stewards of the land, preserving most if not all of the oak trees on the island. Additional oak trees have been planted all along the streets of the neighborhood. Boca Bay has a beautiful clubhouse and swimming pool, a kayak launch and is just a block or so to the beach. Close to the heart of Surf City with its restaurants, shopping, fishing piers, and entertainment. The intracoastal waterway is easily accessible by way of the public boat launches at the Surf City Soundside Park. A full service marina complete with dockage and a dry storage facility is just across from the park. Homes begin at $299,900. Call us, or visit http://randburchfield.com and click on Our Neighborhoods. You can also email Rand at randburchfield@seacoastrealty.com, or call 910.352.1414 to speak with him directly.

Surf City, N.C. Bridge Options

Above is just one of the many bridge options being considering by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The current one, a swing bridge built in the early 50's, has reached what is considered by the DOT to be the end of its useful life. This is being said mostly due to the fact that parts for the structure would have to be fabricated and maintenance is becoming increasingly expensive. Consider, as I did at the workshop held by the DOT in Surf City, the fact that should the bridge break down, either in an open or closed position, it will play havoc with either vehicular or intracoastal traffic. Visit the website at http://www.ncdot.gov/projects/topsailislandbridge/#id91

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES, SAYS U.S. TRAVEL OUTLOOK

At year end 2010, the economy is stronger than originally thought and forecasts are being revised upward says the U.S. Travel Association in the January issue of U.S. Travel Outlook. Retail spending increased in late 2010, according to the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, and the National Retail Federation forecasted that holiday spending would be up 3.3 percent over 2009. Employment news has also been more positive in the last weeks. The week ending Dec. 25 marked the fewest new claims for unemployment since the summer of 2008.

Even with the positive economic news, there are still areas of concern. The business sector still remains hesitant to make new investments or resume hiring despite healthy profits and cash flow. The increasing price of oil is also of great concern, particularly to the travel industry, and could approach 2008 levels, thus reducing Americans’ disposable income and spending. According to the latest Conference Board report, there is still weakness in consumers’ mood and the Consumer Confidence Index, which had improved in November but decreased slightly in December.

To balance the bad with the good though, there is new Gallup research to show that Americans are slightly more optimistic about 2011. Fifty-eight percent of Americans say that 2011 will be better than 2010. Americans living in the East and Midwest are more optimistic than those living in the South and West.

International air travel slowed in November, but was still up 8.2 percent from a year ago. Through November 2010, air traffic growth was at 8.5 percent from 2009. Domestic air traffic was up 5.8 percent in November from 2009, though a recent study by the U.S. Travel Association revealed that the current air travel security screenings are damaging the U.S. travel industry, as well as the U.S. economy.

The U.S. lodging industry continues to improve according to Smith Travel Research. November 2010 results were that demand was up 10.5 percent and ADR was up 2.5 percent from a year ago. (North Carolina results can be found at www.nccommerce.com/tourism/research.) According to Mark Lomanno, STR’s president, the room rate growth is the most encouraging lodging news industry-wide and this trend bodes well for 2011. The latest Rubicon Perspective also indicates that room rates are finally approaching pre-recession levels and that transient and business demand continue to lead the way. PKF has amended its forecast for year-end 2010 to a growth of almost 8 percent in lodging demand and a RevPAR growth of 5.6 percent. The outlook for 2011 has also improved (demand +3.3 percent and RevPAR +6.3 percent).

Leisure travel is expected to perform well in 2011. The U.S. Travel Association predicts an increased in travel volume of about 1.6 percent. Research on booking lead times indicates that travelers booking within four weeks of travel are down to 23 percent (from 30 percent). It is thought that 2011 may be the last year where travel deals and bargains are plenty, as travel suppliers begin to raise rates and fares.

International travel has rebounded strongly and is world travel volume is expect to have risen 5 percent in 2010. In the U.S., 45.3 million international visitors traveled to the U.S. during the first nine months of 2010, according to the U.S. Dept. of Commerce (up 11 percent from 2009). 2011 is promising in terms of international arrivals to the U.S. particularly as the Corporation for Travel Promotion begins its work in earnest.

For more information on the most recent U.S. Travel Outlook, visit www.ustravel.org/sites/default/files/page/2009/09/Jan2011_public.html.

January 2011 Harris Teeter Update

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Greenpeace ship headed to Port City

Greenpeace ship headed to Port City