Frequently Asked Questions: Film and Movie Locations
What makes Durham unique as a location?
Durham is visually diverse and can simulate a number of climates and locales—from the Gothic look of Duke University’s West Campus, to Durham’s many historic neighborhoods and homes, to the distinctive, neo-Romanesque brickwork of turn-of-the-century tobacco warehouses, to the pastoral, river- and lake-fed countryside of North Durham, to the 1920s and 1930s look of Downtown, to the futuristic look of Research Triangle Park’s business complexes.
What is the terrain and weather like in Durham?
Durham is mild, with the average high in the high 80s and humidity in summer, 50s in the winter, and 60s and 70s in the spring and fall. The terrain is hills, dales, and meandering streams and rivers, characterized by 98,000 acres of hardwood and evergreen forests and 7,800 acres of cropland.
Where is Durham located?
Durham is located 23 miles from the Virginia border in the northeast corner of North Carolina's central Piedmont—a geographic foothills 140 miles from the Appalachian highlands and 130 miles from the Atlantic Coast. Durham is within a day's drive and an hour's flight from 54% of the nation's population.
What economic impact do film productions have on Durham?
Durham breaks productions into three categories: low, medium, and high intensity. Click here for a comparison between categories using three films shot in Durham as examples.
Does Durham have accommodations for talent as well as crew?
Durham has more than 7,000 guest rooms with more than 2,300 of those rooms at full service lodging properties. Durham also boasts two of the region’s four 4-Diamond properties. In 2004, 53% of Durham’s guest rooms had a rating of 3 or more Diamonds.
Does Duke University permit shooting?
Yes, usually with stipulations. DCVB can facilitate a request with Duke, or you can contact Duke News Service directly. Duke has been very cooperative with a number of productions, including TV’s “Dawson’s Creek,” but its students always come first.
What producers are good references for Durham?
First and foremost is native son Thom Mount. Mount produced Bull Durham and has assisted a number of other projects including development of the North Carolina Film Office.
Is Durham film-friendly?
Yes, local government, including the Durham Police Department, has been extremely cooperative with filmmakers. With more than a dozen film festivals held here each year, including the world-class Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, local residents are also keen about the cinematic arts.
