OMAHA — After working to advertise the movie business within the state for almost three many years, Nebraska Movie Officer Laurie Richards introduced not too long ago that she can be stepping down from her place.
The Nebraska Movie Workplace is a part of the state’s financial improvement division that works to recruit filmmakers, producers and administrators to do initiatives in Nebraska. From star-studded characteristic movies to music movies and commercials, Richards has helped appeal to expertise — and cash — to the state by way of cautious coordination and placement scouting.
“Nebraska has been a well-kept secret for a very long time,” Richards mentioned. “As extra folks come right here, filmmakers and crews begin to discuss their experiences, and folks begin to understand that there is a possibility for excellent areas and sources.”
Richards, who started her profession with the division as a movie liaison in 1994, has a protracted historical past of attracting high-profile expertise in her 28-year profession. She has labored with Alexander Payne, an Academy Award-winning director and Omaha native, on a number of initiatives filmed within the state together with “Citizen Ruth,” “Nebraska” and “Downsizing.” Richards additionally helped scout areas for 2021 finest image Oscar winner “Nomadland,” a few of which was filmed in Scottsbluff.
A lot of Richards’ job revolved round scouting the right location for a selected screenplay. Through the years, she has seen extra curiosity within the magnificence and gravitas that rural surroundings can convey to a movie.
“Because the viewers and client base grows, the number of content material adjustments,” she mentioned. “It is not simply initiatives which might be set in an city setting on a regular basis — generally it may be a bit extra pristine, extra stress-free, extra visually stimulating. And generally that’s out within the sea of grass that’s most of Nebraska.”
In 2021, the movie workplace received an additional enhance in attracting expertise: The Nebraska Legislature established a fund to supply incentives to filmmakers taking pictures in Nebraska. To entice creatives to spend cash on native meals, lodging and labor, the workplace gives grants of as much as $400,000 for initiatives that spend a considerable quantity of money and time within the state.
Richards mentioned three initiatives are within the works that can use cash from the newly established fund.
Richards will proceed to work within the business along with her personal manufacturing firm, Flicka Movies, which focuses on tales that middle on Nebraska narratives. Gentri Shopp, who beforehand labored in advertising for the division, will take over because the Nebraska movie officer.
“If I’ve executed something to assist put Nebraska on the map for movie manufacturing, I’m completely happy about that,” Richards mentioned. “We’ve got a lot to supply right here.”
9 motion pictures you did not know have been filmed in Nebraska
Dumb and Dumber
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There’s that scene the place Lloyd takes a mistaken flip, heading to Lincoln, Nebraska, as a substitute of Aspen, Colorado. After all, nowhere would this pairing of indicators exist. IMDB lists Nebraska as a filming location. However whether or not the mistaken approach scene — or the following one by which Lloyd TOTALLY redeems himself — have been Nebraska-shot? Cannot be certain. It does appear like it could possibly be Nebraska.
“Dumb and Dumber” (1994)
Dangerous Grandpa
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Within the Johnny Knoxville-starring comedy, our aged hero lives in Lincoln. No scenes have been filmed there, however they did shoot footage of the Nebraska State Capitol to chop in with the scenes set in Lincoln.
“Jackass Presents: Dangerous Grandpa” (2013)
Dances with Wolves
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Although the most effective image winner was virtually fully shot in South Dakota, its filming areas included Nebraska. A word on the finish of the movie mentions that the final band of free Sioux Indians surrendered at Fort Robinson, Nebraska.
“Dances With Wolves” (1990)
Elizabethtown
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Cameron Crowe’s romantic comedy filmed scenes at and close to Scotts Bluff Nationwide Monument, west of Scottsbluff and Gering, and Carhenge, north of Alliance.
“Elizabethtown” (2005)
Richard Nixon
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This Sean Penn film you won’t bear in mind shot footage in a number of downtown and midtown Omaha areas. Penn had additionally shot parts of his 1991 movie “The Indian Runner” in Omaha.
“The Assassination of Richard Nixon” (2004)
Held Up
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The Jamie Foxx and Nia Lengthy comedy was shot, partially, in Fremont, Nebraska.
“Held Up” (1999)
Paper Moon
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Peter Bogdanovich shot elements of his traditional highway film close to Rulo, Nebraska.
“Paper Moon” (1973)
Fortunate
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This Colin Hanks and Jeffrey Tambor serial killer comedy was shot in 30 space areas in Omaha and Council Bluffs, together with the workplaces of The Each day Nonpareil.
“Fortunate” (2011)
Honey
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Shia LaBeouf briefly moved into the house of a Bennington household to shoot scenes for Andrea Arnold’s movie.
“American Honey” (2016)
nomadland.jpg
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Two Westside graduates are a part of crew for Nomadland, which gained three Oscars.
“Nomadland” (2020)