Anything Goes : Starting out by Wade Cox

Be confident and create something you think is valuable. Talk about it everywhere and to everyone but only bring on people who prove to you by their actions that they are willing to commit.

Great question, Wade! I would consider what filmmakers need to be successful - locations, equipment to rent, maybe restaurants willing to do a discount for crew meals of a certain size, access to props/costumes/set pieces, and crew. GOOD GOLLY CREW.

And then start making a resource sheet for your area. This could be some serious heavy-lifting - making phone calls and negotiating rates, etc. BUT if you start with that, you can enlist other interested parties to help you build up the resources and make those known and available to all. This will do two things - make it easier for others to use those resources (creating the scene you're hoping for), but it will also show you what is missing so that people have a chance - perhaps even you - to create something that fills a real need.

Basically, you do the work of a film commission until there is one officially.

Also, what is Salem near? I'm from DC and know that Richmond and Norfolk both have thriving communities.

Kay, thanks for your helpful advice. To answer your question, Salem is just outside Roanoke in Southwest VA. If you travel from Atlanta to NYC, Roanoke is at the halfway point.

I know Roanoke well! My cousin used to live there and a friend from my TV days lives there now. I hate driving through it, as 81 scares the Dickens out of me (at night, during the day it's manageable - but those 18-wheelers are intimidating as they barrel down at 80+ mph!)

It's a great little community, although their focus may be more theatre these days. That could be another way to go - see what other communities are thriving that could use video/film services. Theatre is an easy "in", but there may not be any money to be made there. Every filmmaker needs a subject matter to film, so why not start by using the ones that are already bringing in money? A mutually beneficial relationship is a great foundation to build on.

You could also check out what infrastructures are in place in Richmond and in Norfold to get a sense of what is working for them. I can tell you that there are a few recording studios at both - mostly voice-over, sound mixing, post-production, but it helps companies to know that anything filmed there will get done quickly and to a high enough quality to be broadcast.

thanks for the advice. I will definitely check out the theater groups. I'm also going to check the theater departments of the local colleges. And if you think I-81 is bad, you should try driving I-4 in central Florida (Daytona Beach to Tampa.) It's a nightmare.

I used to live in Roanoke and there is a very large artistic community there. I would suggest visiting the art galleries and make friends with anyone you can. I found that artists, musicians, and photographers who run businesses there are multitalented. I bet you could find people who dabble in filmmaking as well. I hung out with some cool people in Grandin Village playing music. It's a fun town.

thanks! I will check them out as well.

All great advice, Wade Cox! Seems like you are in a great position to be at the epicenter of a new industry there.