North Carolina

Dark Horse Stages Unveils New Stages to Boost North Carolina’s Film Industry

Published

1 year ago

November 20, 2024

Dark Horse Stages Unveils New Stages to Boost North Carolina’s Film Industry

Two brand-new 20,000-square-foot studios now compliment the studio’s existing 42,500 square feet of state-of-the-art production space, enhancing Wilmington’s vibrant film scene

WILMINGTON, N.C., Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In a grand opening event complete with legendary rock stars, politicians, film industry veterans, and more, Dark Horse Stages, one of North Carolina’s premier production studios, last week officially opened two brand-new sound stages, Stages 3 and 4, adding more than 40,000 square feet of state-of-the-art production space to Wilmington’s vibrant film scene. This significant expansion enhances the infrastructure supporting North Carolina’s film industry, already renowned as a traditional and reliable stalwart in the film space, with experienced production crews as well as stunning and diverse landscapes.

Two brand-new 20,000-square-foot studios

The event garnered more than 550 attendees, including industry leaders, state and local officials, and film professionals, underscoring Wilmington’s status as a key player in the film and television sector.

“We are committed to providing world-class facilities that enable creators to realize their visions,” said Kirk Englebright, President and CEO of Dark Horse Stages. “The turnout reflects the excitement surrounding our expansion and the bright future of film in North Carolina.”

Guests were treated to an unforgettable evening featuring live music, thrilling stunts, and special video messages of congratulations from North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Gov.-elect, Josh Stein, currently the state’s attorney general. Rock legend Dee Snider also made a special appearance, revealing plans to bring his production company, Defiant Artists, to North Carolina. To cap off the celebration, Snider electrified the crowd with a powerful performance of his iconic Twisted Sister anthem, “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”

For photos from the grand opening, click here.
For a video highlight from the event, click here.
For a video about Stages 3 & 4, click here.

*Photos should be attributed: Courtesy of Dark Horse Stages

“The expansion of Dark Horse Stages brings tremendous value to North Carolina’s film industry by enhancing our capacity to meet the diverse needs of today’s productions,” said North Carolina Film Office Director Guy Gaster. “The continued evolution of this outstanding facility elevates North Carolina’s appeal as a premier film destination to both major studios and independent filmmakers, alike, providing a modern and attractive entertainment hub that will foster creativity, efficiency, and true collaboration for years to come.”

Key Features of Stages 3 and 4:

– Size and Capacity: Each stage is 20,000 square feet, complementing the existing 42,500 square feet of stage space at Stages 1 and 2, providing filmmakers with ample room to create.
– Height and Design: Standing 55 feet tall with a 45-foot to the grid height from the floor, these soundproof stages are built with 12-inch-thick concrete walls and a soundproof roof, ensuring optimal acoustics for various productions.
– Power and Technology: Each stage is equipped with 2400 amps of power and a total suspended live load capacity of 500,000 lbs., accommodating heavy equipment and intricate sets.
– Advanced HVAC System: The facility features a sophisticated Silent Air HVAC System along with a ventilation system, which can re-circulate/evacuate the air within the stages in less than 60 seconds, ensuring a comfortable working environment, crucial for long hours of production.

The Grand Opening event also served as a chance to collaborate with the Film Partnership of North Carolina, offering interns valuable opportunities to explore different career paths within the film industry.

“The Film Partnership of North Carolina is very pleased to support and participate in the opening of the new Dark Horse Stages today. The work of the Film Partnership provides crew support for productions that find a home in North Carolina, and the work of Dark Horse Stages is to provide that all-important home,” stated Susi Hamilton, CEO of the Film Partnership of North Carolina. “Dark Horse’s presence, and the synchronicity between our organizations, provides a bedrock foundation for the flourishing film economy in North Carolina. I am incredibly proud of our partnership and look forward to its continued success,” Hamilton stated.

This opening aligns with a surge of several local productions, including the feature film Merv and TV series like The Waterfront, The Runarounds and The Summer I Turned Pretty. Dark Horse Stages has quickly established itself as a creative hub, supporting both established and emerging filmmakers, and building on North Carolina’s rich cinematic legacy.

North Carolina Welcomes Film Productions
Since being dubbed “Hollywood East” in the 1980s, North Carolina has been a sought-after location for filmmakers. The state offers a 25% incentive in the form of a rebate for film productions, making it an attractive option for creators looking for budget-friendly environments. Dark Horse Stages’ expansion comes as the industry begins to rebound from a series of consecutive strikes, signaling a renewed interest in high-quality production facilities and reinforcing Wilmington’s status as a premier filming destination.

About Dark Horse Stages, Inc.
Founded in 2020, Dark Horse Stages has rapidly become a leading provider of sound stages and production facilities in Wilmington, NC. With a commitment to supporting the creative process and fostering local talent, Dark Horse Stages provides filmmakers with the resources they need to bring their visions to life. For more information about Dark Horse Stages and its facilities, please visit darkhorsestages.com.

Dark Horse Stages 42,500 square feet of state-of-the-art production space

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SOURCE Dark Horse Stages

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North Carolina

2026 primary turnout report released for eastern NC counties; see your county’s numbers

Published

16 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

2026 primary turnout report released for eastern NC counties; see your county’s numbers

Here are the voter turnout numbers for the 2026 primary election, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

Hyde County had the highest voter turnout, while Onslow County had the lowest turnout. Check out what the voter turnout in your county was below:

BERTIE COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

31.85% (3,911 out of 12,280)

CARTERET COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

29.06% (16,543 out of 56,931)

CRAVEN COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

18.63% (14,119 out of 75,778)

DUPLIN COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

21.93% (6,981 out of 31,832)

EDGECOMBE COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

18.16% (6,428 out of 35,396)

GREENE COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

19.70% (2,147 out of 10,900)

HYDE COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

37.27% (1,123 out of 3,013)

JONES COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

25.91% (1,805 out of 6,966)

LENOIR COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

16.73% (6,251 out of 37,371)

MARTIN COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

17.61% (2,858 out of 16,228)

ONSLOW COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

11.44% (14,816 out of 129,537)

PAMLICO COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

24.03% (2,446 out of 10,180)

PITT COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

15.71% (19,429 out of 123,705)

TYRRELL COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

30.49% (723 out of 2,371)

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

28.66% (2,312 out of 8,067)

WAYNE COUNTY

Ballots Cast:

21.49% (16,408 out of 76,358)

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North Carolina

Statewide tornado drill has NC schools and workplaces practicing safety

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Statewide tornado drill has NC schools and workplaces practicing safety

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 6:41PM

NC schools and businesses encouraged to practice tornado safety

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — North Carolina schools and businesses took part in a statewide tornado drill Wednesday morning as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week.

The National Weather Service led the drill at 9:30 a.m., broadcasting it on NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System. Schools, workplaces and households across the state were encouraged to join in.

The National Weather Service didn’t issue a follow up alert to mark the end of the drill. Instead, each school or business wrapped up once they felt they had practiced the procedures thoroughly.

Wednesday’s drill also replaced the regular weekly NOAA Weather Radio test.

SEE | New warning for parents amid new ‘fire-breathing’ social media trend

Make sure to download the ABC 11 Mobile App ABC11 North Carolina Apps for Connected TV, Mobile News, Echo

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North Carolina

North Carolina Rep. Valerie Foushee holds narrow lead over challenger Nida Allam

Published

2 days ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

North Carolina Rep. Valerie Foushee holds narrow lead over challenger Nida Allam

Nida Allam in 2022; Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC) in 2025.

Jonathan Drake/Reuters; Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

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Jonathan Drake/Reuters; Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Incumbent Rep. Valerie Foushee holds a narrow lead over challenger Nida Allam in the Democratic primary for North Carolina’s 4th Congressional district as ballots continue to be counted.

In a race seen as an early test of whether Democratic voters desire generational change within the party, Foushee holds a lead of just over 1,000 votes with 99% of results in so far, according to the Associated Press.

Under state law, provisional votes will be counted in the coming days in a district that includes Durham and Chapel Hill. If the election results end up within a 1% margin, Allam could request a recount.

Successfully ousting an incumbent lawmaker is often extremely difficult and rare. However, there have been recent upsets in races as some voters are calling for new leaders and several sitting members of Congress face primary challengers this cycle.

Allam, a 32-year-old Durham County Commissioner, is running to the left of Foushee, 69, framing her candidacy as part of a broader rejection of longtime Democratic norms.

On the campaign trail, Allam ran on an anti-establishment message, pledging to be a stronger fighter than Foushee in Congress, both in standing up against President Trump’s agenda and when pushing for more ambitious policy.

“North Carolina is a purple state that often gets labeled red, but we’re not a red state,” she told NPR in an interview last month, emphasizing the need to address affordability concerns. “We are a state of working-class folks who just want their elected officials to champion the issues that are impacting them.”

She drew a contrast with the congresswoman on immigration, voicing support for abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Foushee has declined to go that far, advocating instead for ICE to be defunded and for broader reforms to the federal immigration system.

Allam also clashed with Foushee over U.S. policy towards Israel. As a vocal opponent of Israel’s war in Gaza, Allam swore off campaign donations from pro-Israel lobbying groups, such as AIPAC, and repeatedly criticized Foushee for previously accepting such funds.

Though Foushee announced last year that she would not accept AIPAC donations this cycle, she and Allam continued to spar over the broader role of outside spending in the race.

Their matchup comes four years after the candidates first squared off in 2022, when Allam lost to Foushee in what became the most expensive primary in the state’s history, with outside groups spending more than $3.8 million.

However, this year is poised to break that record. Outside groups have reported spending more than $4.4 million on the primary matchup, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

WUNC’s Colin Campbell contributed to this report.

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