The agency's website is now listing "The Occult" and "Heart of the Country" in preproduction, along with "The Conjuring" and "Caged Heat." The latter is widely known throughout the industry as the code name for "Iron Man 3."

According to the website for "Heart of the Country," produced by Bayridge Films, the movie's principal photography is tentatively slated for March and April in Wilmington and New York City. It's based on the novel by Rene Gutteridge and John Ward and is a modern retelling of "The Prodigal" story.

The news followed word Friday that the independent film "Writers," starring Greg Kinnear and Jennifer Connelly, would begin shooting in Wilmington next month.

Local film industry experts hope to keep the momentum building during what they say has previously been a slow time of year.

Griffin, who is in Los Angeles this week trying to help drum up TV pilot business for the area, said any additional productions deciding to come here right now could "push things a little with the comfort level of work at one time" but that local officials are ready to face such hurdles.

"We are welcoming the opportunity to have those challenges to try to deal with," he said. "If we can get them here, that's more money they're bringing to the town and more jobs they're providing.

 

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