SC Movie Studio Opens, Film Announced

South Carolina has had plenty of feature films shot in the state, thanks to its wide variety of locations. "Leatherheads" with George Clooney was shot in the Upstate. "The Patriot", "Forrest Gump" and "The Big Chill" all used South Carolina locations.

Now, a new movie studio in Columbia could attract more Hollywood films by offering sound stages, editing facilities and trained crew members. Genesis Creative president and CEO Cliff Springs cut the ribbon on the studios Tuesday. The studios have already been in use for nearly a year, but Springs held off on the grand opening because construction was still going on.

"I'm a believer that a true foundation takes time," Springs said at the grand opening. "I do not simply believe if we build it they will come. I do believe that if we build Genesis Studios, if we build the industry one proper step at a time, then they, meaning Hollywood, will become the icing on the cake. South Carolina's own home-grown projects will be the bread and butter."

And the producers of a new movie used the occasion to announce that it will be shot in South Carolina, and at Genesis, since it is a home-grown project. Writer Chuck Fallaw says "1.8 Days" will be released nationally and internationally.

"The film is a mix of horror, thriller, action, adventure, comedy, with a whole lot of martial arts thrown in," he says. "We have not released our cast list as of yet. But I will tell you that it will star some people that you know very, very well."

While he wouldn't talk about the cast, the film's website says actor Gary Busey will be in the movie. It also describes the plot. "Two hustlers, their ex-fiancé, a ruthless crime boss, and a bounty hunter, all intent on killing each other, suddenly find themselves in the middle of an "invasion." The violent enemies must band together to defeat the (what are they!?). They just have to stop fighting each other long enough to survive."

The state Film Office's website says the movie will be shot in 3-D.

State film commissioner Jeff Monks says having this studio should be a big boost to the state's film industry.

"It helps on the recruitment side, but it's also another step in building the infrastructure here in South Carolina," he says. "And having a facility where larger and more expensive projects can be produced, as well as the personnel to help facilitate it, is all part of building this infrastructure that's really going to create an industry cluster and help South Carolina move to that next level."

But the studios are for more than just movies. Exercise videos for "The Firm" have already been shot there, and commercials, talk shows and training videos can also be shot there.