02-04-04 Viewpoint - Proposed movie a potential economic boon for
county
In running a good business, you have to take stock of your assets and
figure out how best to utilize them.
In running a good county, it is wise to do the same.
What do we have in Franklin County?
Well, among other things, we have beautiful natural resources, scenic
nature in abundance, hard-working, hospitable people, and local leaders
willing to court initiatives that could lead to economic growth.
What does that add up to? Well, for Tonya
S. Holly, president of Cypress
Moon Productions in Florence, that adds up to “a good
place to film a movie.”
Holly is working at present on securing funding in order to shoot
a feature film she wrote, called “When I Find the Ocean,” right
here among us regular folks in Franklin County.
The 17-year veteran of the movie business said she is confident she
will be able to find the money and is confident the movie will be a
success.
Holly said she has a commitment from actor Louis
Gossett Jr. to star
in the movie and is hopeful that Kris Kristofferson and Billy
Bob Thornton will join the cast. Naomi
Judd, Graham Greene and Richard Tyson will
also have roles.
Along with hopefully casting local residents as extras in the movie,
Holly said she would love to get some local investors.
She said it would “help her cause” if some Alabama investors
would open up their wallets to help fund the movie.
The view from here is this movie would help the cause of promoting
Franklin County tremendously. We have a lot to offer as a county, and
we urge potential investors to take a long look at helping this project
move forward.
Likewise, local leaders should be sure they are doing all they can
to help Holly’s efforts.
The benefits from such a movie filmed locally could be abundant.
Here’s
hoping the project is a huge success.
Turn on the lights, Ms. Holly.
Franklin County is ready for its close-up.
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