FoR ENC's Eastern North Carolina Film Commission Recruits Hollywood Production to Elizabeth City

"The Guardian," which is scheduled to be released in the Fall of 2006, is a drama under the direction of Andrew Davis. It stars Kevin Costner, Ashton Kutcher, Neal McDonough, Clancy Brown, Melissa Sagemiller, Brian Geraghty and Sela Ward. The film is written by Ron Brinkerhoff, produced by Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson, and executive produced by Armyan Bernstein, Charlie Lyons, Zanne Devine and Peter Macgregor-Scott.

"The Guardian" synopsis: After losing his crew in a fatal crash, legendary Rescue Swimmer, Ben Randall (KEVIN COSTNER), is sent to teach at "A" School, an elite training program for Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers. Wrestling with the loss of his crew members, he throws himself into teaching, turning the program upside down with his unorthodox training methods.

While there, he encounters a young, cocky swim champ, Jake Fischer (ASHTON KUTCHER), who is driven to be the best. During training, Randall helps mold Jake's character, combining his raw talent with the heart and dedication required of a Rescue Swimmer.

Upon graduation, Jake follows Randall to Kodiak, Alaska, where they face the inherent dangers of the Bering Sea. In his initial solo rescue, Jake learns firsthand from Randall, the true meaning of heroism and sacrifice, echoing the Swimmer's motto..."So Others May Live!"

Many scenes for "The Guardian" have been filmed in Louisiana. The production was scheduled to move to Kodiak, Alaska, to complete filming there, but an active volcano near the town compelled the filmmakers to select another location. Elizabeth City was chosen for its U.S. Coast Guard station and the surrounding landscape.

The movie's producers estimate that they will spend over $1 million shooting scenes in Elizabeth City. Among the local businesses to benefit from the production are city hotels-to host the 170+ professionals comprising the crew-restaurants, caterers, office supply and communications providers, as well as such ancillary product and service providers as drug stores, dry cleaners, grocery stores and furniture stores.

"This is a perfect example of what can emerge after a concerted regional effort is made to highlight the many unique characteristics of the Inner Banks," said Phillip Horne, FoR ENC president and director of the Eastern North Carolina Film Commission. "In only two months, the new film commission's initial work has paid off in the form of a major Hollywood production studio choosing Eastern North Carolina as a desirable site for making movies."

In November of 2005, the North Carolina Department of Commerce appointed FoR ENC as the official Eastern North Carolina Film Commission. The ENC Film Commission represents the 32 Eastern North Carolina counties not currently served by the Wilmington Region Film Commission.