Jacksonville, located in Florida, US, is popular for film shooting because of its beaches, lovely gardens, downtown look and little traffic which makes shooting easier. Several documentary and short films, feature films and television series have been filmed in Jacksonville (some portrayed it as another city). And now even Bollywood has reached Jacksonville, which was once known as “The Winter Film Capital of the World.”
Bollywood in Jacksonville
Jacksonville, which offers incentives to film productions who shoot in the city, is the backdrop for an upcoming Bollywood romantic comedy movie titled ‘Romance Complicated’. The crew shot at various locations within the city such as Friendship fountain, Laura Street, the Northbank River walk, the Jacksonville Beach Peir and the Jacksonville Landing.
The Bollywood movie got incentives to the tune of around $861,700 and in return the Bollywood production team recruited around 200 odd local professionals (as part of the crew) and booking around 400 hotel rooms, contributing around $200,000 to the local revenue.
With the success of this unique idea, Jacksonville authorities are now hoping to attract many more small production, Bollywood films to come and shoot in their city which seems like a win-win situation for both!
Shiamak Davar in Jacksonville
Renowned Indian choreographer Shiamak Davar who has choreographed for several Bollywood films & extravagant shows, including the closing ceremony of The Commonwealth Games has conducted several workshops in Jacksonville. Davar has also worked with international stars like Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Tom Cruise, Richard Gere, Michael Douglas, Stevie Wonder and had also choreographed the dance sequences for the Hollywood blockbuster Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.
About Jacksonville
As per wikipedia, Jacksonville is the largest city by population in the U.S. state of Florida, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States.
