ACTION: MAKING FILMS IN SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina is known for attracting world-class film productions because of its scenic landscape and historic architecture.
This incredibly diverse state has been the backdrop for more than 100 feature films, 70+ TV films, series and pilots, 500+ print ads and catalogue shoots and many other media going back to the Edison Company’s The Southerners in 1914, Pathé’s How Could You Caroline? in 1918 and Cecil B. DeMille’s Reap the Wild Wind in 1941.
Oscar-winner Mel Gibson starred in “The Patriot”, where he plays a farmer who reluctantly joins the American Revolution. The film was directed by Roland Emmerich, whose credits include “Godzilla” and “Independence Day”. The film was shot in Georgetown, Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Chester and York counties.
Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars came to South Carolina to film “The Legend of Bagger Vance”. The film is about a young golfer and his caddie and was directed by Oscar-winner Robert Redford and starred Matt Damon, Will Smith and Charlize Theron. It was filmed in part at The Ocean Course on Kiawah Island and the Pete Dye Course on Colleton River Plantation in Bluffton.
George Clooney shot his old-time football film “Leatherheads” in Greenville and the surrounding towns of Anderson and Greenwood. The film version of the popular novel “The Notebook” was shot in Charleston.
“Titanic” and “Avatar” director James Cameron filmed “The Abyss” at an old nuclear plant in Gaffney.
Julia Roberts has appeared in two films shot in South Carolina: “Sleeping with the Enemy”, filmed in Abbeville, and “Something to Talk About” in Beaufort.
Other well-known films with scenes shot in South Carolina: the Oscar-winning “Forrest Gump”, “White Squall” directed by Ridley Scott and starring Jeff Bridges, Bruce Willis’ action film “Die Hard with a Vengeance”, “Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls” with Jim Carrey, “G.I. Jane” with Demi Moore, “The War” with Kevin Costner, “Days of Thunder” with Tom Cruise, “Prince of Tides” with Barbra Streisand and Nick Nolte, “Cold Mountain” with Nicole Kidman, “Full Metal Jacket” directed by Stanley Kubrick, and “Last Dance” with Sharon Stone.
The television show “Army Wives” is currently being filmed in Charleston.
South Carolina locations have been used to shoot several music videos including pop/country star Darius Rucker, pop star Mariah Carey and country star Shania Twain. Many companies, among them BMW and Reebok, have filmed advertisements in the state.