Wetumpka has been the backdrop for a number of Hollywood movies.
Period pieces like “The Rosa Parks Story” and “The Grass Harp” made use of Wetumpka’s downtown and rural expanses. In Tim Burton’s fantasy “Big Fish,” the area’s beauty was transformed into a magical landscape.
Thanks to a bill that passed the state House of Representatives last week, the state may have new ways to entice Hollywood to film in towns statewide.
“Growing Alabama’s film production industry can render tremendous economic benefits for our state, and I’ve been impressed at the leading role Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur) has played on this issue,” Hubbard said. “We want Octavia Spencer’s next Oscar to be for a movie made right here in Alabama.”
Spencer, a Montgomery native and Auburn Uni ver sity graduate, won the Aca demy Award for best supporting actress for her role in “The Help.”
The Alabama Film Incentive Enhancement Act, HB243, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur), would extend the state’s film and television incentive cap from $10 to $25 million. It would also double the amount productions could spend and count toward tax incentive rebates from $10 million to $20 million.
A 2011 bill that added TV productions to the state’s film incentive law attracted shows like “Rocket City Rednecks” (National Geographic channel), “Sweet Home Alabama” (CMT) and “Big Shrimpin’” (History Channel).