By Ashley Byrd
SCBIZ Daily Contributing Writer

COLUMBIA -- Genesis Studios officially opened its new full-service television and film production facilities here on Tuesday, and announced that it will be the production site of 1.8 Days, an independent feature film originating in South Carolina. The full-length horror movie will be produced by Columbia-based Movie Tao Productions and will be directed by South Carolina native Chuck Fallaw.

Genesis Studios announced a production budget of $13.5 million for 1.8 Days. However, because Movie Tao is in the closing phase of project development, the bottom line will not be finalized until production begins.

Cliff Springs, president of Genesis Studios and a 15-year veteran of commercial and film production, explained, “We built our grand opening around an event that is closest to our mission and our passion. We want to grow the film industry in South Carolina in a strategic and responsible way. We plan to create opportunities instead of waiting for them to come along.”

In 2006 and 2007, South Carolinians who worked on productions filmed in the state earned over $4.6 million in take-home wages, according to a recent study by the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. The study also reported that the movie industry spent another $14 million for goods and services in the state in 2006 and 2007, and called the film industry an asset to the state’s economy “despite having no permanent infrastructure to support local activity.”

 “A facility like (Genesis Studios) adds to, and compliments, South Carolina’s growing media production infrastructure,” said South Carolina Film Commissioner Jeff Monks.

Monks, who attended the ribbon-cutting event, said, “We’re excited Genesis is up and running. It will act as a calling card for us when we are recruiting TV, commercial production or feature films. It’s an important step forward and a great one for Columbia.”

Springs’ emphasis on developing indigenous films adds another dimension to the debate over the effectiveness of offering economic incentives for films made in South Carolina. “We support the incentives, Springs said, “but we also believe the true foundation of an ongoing, thriving film and entertainment industry in this state requires the development and production of quality projects by South Carolinians. This means a commitment to excellence and high production values.”

Joshua Dease, head of production at Movie Tao and a South Carolina native, echoed those sentiments. “Just because a film is independent does not mean it is low-budget or low-quality.”

“We're very impressed with the new stage and post-production facility Genesis opened in Columbia,” said Marty Bluford of High Output, the Charleston-based grip and lighting company. “It's a turnkey facility that can take a commercial production from storyboard through finished spot -- all at the same location. I wish we had a facility to match it in Charleston.”

Since 1996, High Output has supplied equipment to film and television productions in South Carolina, including: Army Wives, The Strangers, The Notebook, Who’s Your Caddy and The Patriot. 

After 15 years in the business, Springs had stocked up key equipment for the new studio. Over the past three years, he was able to keep the cost of construction to around $2 million by doing some strategic shopping -- scouting foreclosures and industry sales. "Although we've spent quite a bit of money," Springs said, "we've creatively managed to double the cumulative value of what's here to the tune of about $4 million."

Genesis Studios’ 15,000-square-foot facility includes two production stages, a live switch master control room, make-up rooms, editing and post-production suites, as well as production office space. The company also rents production equipment.

Other features are designed to inspire the creativity of Genesis staff and other professionals who will use the facility -- including a theater with stadium seating and digital surround sound, a movie marquee and concession stand. “Though we are very serious about our quality of work here, we want our clients and partners to have fun, too,” Springs said.

"Genesis is a fantastic asset for filmmakers right here at home who, up until now, have not had access to this kind of facility, and this facility is top-notch,” Fallaw said.

After financial development, the next phase for 1.8 Days will be setting up pre-production at Genesis Studios. The film’s producers are courting a list of well-known actors and hiring a crew of state-based professionals.