Get on Up-- the James Brown biopic which was filmed predominately in Mississippi -- is set to open this week. And efforts are underway to bring more major motion pictures to the Magnolia state.
Strolling down the red carpet before a special screening of the new movie Get on Up in Madison, stars of the film Get on Up reflected on what it was like to make a major motion picture in Mississippi. Director Tate Taylor, who shot The Help in Jackson and the Delta in 2010, says it's important for him to bring large scale productions to his home state.
Well, I just think it’s important for all of us as citizens of Mississippi to do what we can to bring industry and commerce here, and I happen to be in an industry that happens to allow me you to go places and I figured ‘why not.” says Taylor. “I brought The Help here, and it was a big success and this has been as well.”
The movie, which was mostly shot in Natchez and Jackson last winter features hundreds of Mississippians. The film's star Chadwick Boseman, who played James Brown, enjoyed the Magnolia state so much he invited his family down for the holidays.
“It was actually really cold when I was here.” says Boseman. “It snowed, and it was rainy, but I had a great time. During Christmas and Thanksgiving I brought my family down here instead of going home. So I enjoyed it enough to do that, which is really cool.”
Other directors are also acknowledging Mississippi as a great place to film. John Krasinski - from NBC's The Office -- has already set up shop in the Capitol City, while other films have made their way to gulf. Governor Phil Bryant says Mississippi's tax incentive program makes the state an attractive place to film.
“What we’re trying to do is rebate up to 30% of the money they spend here hiring Mississippians.” says Bryant. “The more Mississippians you hire, the better your incentive package can be. But also, we have such amazing sites here in Mississippi. You can film just about any type of movie that you want to film; downtown Jackson, if you want to go to the Coast, or to the hills or the Piney Woods. There are so many different kinds of opportunities here and they’re just starting to recognize it.”
Get on Up will open in theaters nationwide on Friday.
