‘TWILIGHT’ SETS ON OREGON AS FILM HEADS TO CANADA
As soon as it was announced that filming for ‘New Moon’ would be set mainly in Vancouver, BC, we were all left wondering why things wouldn’t be set in Oregon, like ‘Twilight’ was. Oregon Business Magazine has a very cool and informative article explaining why the decision was made to move to Vancouver, and even say that ‘Eclipse’ will also not be filmed in the state:
Oregon’s starring role in teen vampire love story Twilight, the blockbuster film based on author Stephanie Meyer’s bestselling book series, has been a boon to the state’s film and tourism industry. But production incentives and wooing by the state film office weren’t enough to convince filmmakers to return for sequel New Moon, set to begin production this spring. Producer Summit Entertainment will relocate to Vancouver, British Columbia, and Italy, VP of publicity Vivian Mayer confirmed through an assistant.Vince Porter, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Film and Television estimates producers spent $20 million in the state. New Moon, which is reportedly budgeted at $50 million, up from the $37 million Twilight budget, would likely have brought in even more.
Porter says filmmakers were partly concerned that Oregon wouldn’t have the production resources to support two Twilight sequels being made back-to-back. The lower Canadian dollar also made filming in British Columbia cheaper.
Then just as the film office was trying its best to lure back Twilight producers, CBS Films committed to film The Untitled Crowley Project starring Harrison Ford and Brendan Frasier in Oregon, eating up the state’s film resources and crews, he says.
Porter says the Crowley project, set to begin filming in April, will replace any money lost from the move and could bring even more spending to the state because producers plan to use more local film companies.
Meanwhile, devoted Twilight fans continue to visit the area.
Columbia County tourism director Amber Dennis is still fielding calls from tour groups and operators planning visits through 2010 to St. Helens, which stands in for Forks, Wash., the home of Twilight’s main characters.
“We don’t see that the next two films not being filmed here are going to affect us in a negative way because people are still making this pilgrimage to the Inn,” says Geoff Thompson, owner of the View Point Inn in the Columbia River Gorge, site of the final prom scene in the movie.
Twilight’s departure comes as Porter and the Oregon film industry lobby state legislators this session to increase the Oregon Production Incentive Fund from its current $5 million annual cap to $7.5 million. The fund is used to offer cash rebates to producers who spend at least $750,000 in the state. Porter says it tends to run out of money six months into the year, forcing the state to turn away productions.
“If it had been higher we might have had a running shot at getting [the sequel]” he says.
(Thanks Lindsay)
This was a great article. It’s sad that the money and resources issues got in the way of them returning to Oregon, but cheaper costs mean more money toward the quality of the film. So, while it’s sad, I’m glad a happy medium was able to be found.
What do you think of this article? Are you surprised at the reasons they gave for ‘New Moon’ not returning to Oregon? Are you worried about the fact that it’s being filmed mainly in Vancouver, rather than Oregon?
The move doesn’t really bother me as long as they make Vancouver look like “Forks” did in the movie. I’m just happy that they’re actually going to Italy yay!
I’m interested to see how they are going to keep continuity with the first film in a whole new location. Charlie’s house, the Cullen’s house, and the school particularly.
This sucks!! I live in Oregon and was totally looking foreword to them coming back. Well, I guess Vancouver BC is just a day’s drive away.
I agree with Christie, what are they going to about not filming at the locations they choose in Oregon for the houses and school, rebuild them?!
Does anyone know the name of the Beach where they filmed Bella/Jacob? I visited the Oregon coast in 2007 and just wondered which one it was.
I’m absolutely thrilled that ‘New Moon’ will be moving to Vancouver as I live only an hour by boat away. I can tell that Rob and Kristen will also fall in love with Vancouver, it’s a beautiful city with so much culture.
Not really worried, but I am sorry for Oregon and the money they will not be making from New Moon. I assumed they would film at the Swan house and the school? Guess not. The meadow scene wasn’t filmed in Oregon, it was filmed in Los Angeles, which surprised me. I’m sure they will match it up as best they can and it will look amazing.
im sad they arent filming in oregon.. i live here and i really want to go c it…that makes me sad…. but i am still excited 4 the movie…but the whole new location thing, i hope they can get the houses right, or there will b some grumpy fans…
omg!!! i can’t belive that they will be filming the movie in vacouver. why won’t they just start it off in its originally spot. but ohhhh, well as long as it is really good cause the director didn’t do so good on golden compass IN MY OPINION!!! so HOPFULLY ist will be like over the top awsome!!!
As a resident of Vancouver B.C., I can GUARANTEE all you fellow Twilight Nerds that the sets involved for New Moon will be awesome. Considering that Forks WA and Vancouver BC are less than a few hours apart (and both being Pacific Northwestern Territory, thus looking basically exactly the same when it comes to environment) It’s almost like the same place. Same types of trees, same ocean, same wildlife and plantlife…..It’s gonna be awesome don’t even worry about it.
The film trucks have been spotted at Kits Beach and Stanley Park. FILMING STARTS MONDAY, WE’RE ALL SO STOKED!!!! The cast has already been spotted several times around Vancouver.
P.S. It’s pouring down rain as i type this to you, and the cloudy skies are gloomy as ever, the weather should remain like this until Early-Mid June…….So hopefully that builds your confidence too!
Go Team Jacob!
The beach used in Twilight for the surfing LaPush scene was in Ecola State Park. This location (Ecola State Park) was used for many movies. The beach specifically was used in Point Break where Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze fight on the “Australian” coast. Take our tour next time you’re in Portland area.
DANG I REALLLY WISHED THEY CAME BACK TO FILM IN OREGON BUT ITS ALL GOOD AS LONG AS TAYLOR LAUTNER IS JACOB BLACK BECAUSE HE IS SO HOT I LOVE TAYLOR LAUTNER SO MUCHHHHHHH! HUGE FAN OF HIM SO OF COURSE IM MA SAY GO TEAM JACOB!!!!
Where is the exact place in froks washington is charlie and bellas house? which street? dont worry if u dont know. love to hear you take on this (love the site!)
I think this is totally suck…I’m from Oregon and I loved getting to see the first movie filmed so close to my house….it sucks that we don’t get to have new moon or eclipse!!!! I want them to come back!!!
GO TEAM JACOB!!