Eric Peterson has co-owned the Foothills Motel in Auburn for five years, and he said that visitors often request room 208.
“This room actually was used in the film ‘Wisdom,’” Peterson said. “It’s been, you know, one of our most popular rooms. Actually, it looks a little different now, but it was very nostalgic back then.”
What You Need To Know
- New film/TV production incentives have been introduced by the state to the tune of $750 million
- Many major films have filmed outside of LA, in state and regional film offices hope the new incentives will help boost interest
- Some regional areas said they have often seen $1 million to $6 million a year in benefits to the area
- Many commercial advertising productions also utilize the state’s varied landscapes for filming
The film starring Emilio Estevez and Demi Moore is one of two films that have used the retro motel in Placer County.
The recently released “No Address,” starring Billy Baldwin and Ashanti, was filmed at a 50s-inspired hotel, which provided a welcome financial boost, according to Peterson, thanks to the large production crew.
“Most of them actually were booking rooms right here in the hotel,” Peterson said. “And then they also had some events and such down at our bowling alley, the Foothills Bowl.”
The region spans parts of Lake Tahoe and has played host to numerous TV, commercial and film productions, including the snow scenes in the Joaquin Phoenix movie “Her,” the filming of “The Godfather II” on Lake Tahoe, and the iconic jump from the Foothills Bridge in “XXX.”
Productions like these brought in $5 million for the county last year, said Placer film liaison Juli Johnston, but she said competition among states for productions is fierce, which is why she’s excited by the state’s $750 million tax incentives.
“When we heard that the state was sort of floundering and production was going away, we got on board and started lobbying for the film tax credit,” Johnston said. “So, we knew that it would help our industry, plus keep people who are working here and who are passionate about film here in the area.”
Neighboring El Dorado County has also seen its share of notable productions, from the famous rafting scene in Indiana Jones to various scenes from “Top Gun “Maverick.”
And Executive Director of the county’s film office Kathleen Dodge said she shares Johnston’s sentiment about the pressing need for incentives.
“Production companies look at where they’re going to be able to make their film on their budget,” Dodge said. “And if they can’t do it in California, they will leave.”
She said the county for 30 years has consistently received revenue of $1 million to $6 million a year from productions and works hard to offer its own incentives.
“We work with the production company to create unique incentives,” Dodge said. “Something that the production company will need and something we can provide through relationships.”
With the possibility of more productions in regional areas, Peterson said he feels his motel is uniquely set up to take advantage of possible interest.
“We have a unique, retro feel to the place here that we’ve tried to retain and bring back as much as we could,” he said.
And Peterson said movie advertising has and remains a real asset. View this story on Spectrum News here.