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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, February 27, 1993                   TAG: 9303010223
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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$15 MILLION

IN THE context of Virginia's overall economy, film-making registers barely a blip. Still, it's a growing industry, according to 1992 figures from the Virginia Film Office of the state Department of Economic Development.

Though at least five feature films have been made within an 80-mile radius of Roanoke in recent years, the Tidewater region led the way in 1992 with more production days than any other part of the state.

Statewide, the number of production days - for feature films, TV movies and series, videos and commercials - rose to 758 in 1992 from 470 in 1991. Revenues from film-related production in the commonwealth reached more than $15 million during the year.

Beyond the direct if small economic boost, there's a glamour to film-making that you can't get from your average widget factory. In addition, there's always the chance for an indirect economic boost: If a film clearly set in Virginia takes off, it won't hurt the state's image or efforts to attract visitors and other kinds of business.

Future years could see more. The state's wide range of historic and architectural resources, the film office notes, makes it possible for films to be made set in virtually all periods of American history. It's also an industry for the global economy: The United States is the world's most prominent exporter of popular culture, which includes films made in America and consumed overseas.

How much Virginia will be in the movies is speculative, and probably marginal. But, clearly, it's not time to roll the closing credits.

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