Big Fish Author Talks Book To Film Transition
The author of the book Big Fish talked to students at Auburn Montgomery today.
Much of the movie version of his book was filmed in the river region.
How much of an impact do productions like this have on communities?
Daniel Wallace is a Birmingham native.
He says that he never expected his first published book to leap off the pages and onto the screen.
“I’d been writing for almost 15 years before this book came out. I’ve written five other books. I wanted to see my book out there and didn’t have any sense of it having a life beyond the covers,” said Wallace.
The movie was filmed in places like Wetumpka and Montgomery.
Wallace says that seeing the movie come to his state made the experience even more special.
“That was such a treat. They didn’t have to come here. They were going all across the country looking for the perfect place to do it and they found it here, right in my backyard, that was a dream,” said Wallace.
And other movies are still falling in love with Alabama.
Oprah Winfrey’s movie “Selma” just wrapped up filming in Montgomery this year.
Melanie Golson with the city’s department of development says it means a lot for the community.
“It has a huge impact economically and socially. It brings great minds, theater minds, filmakers to montgomery so they get to see montgomery, but also gives the community the chance to participate in something they wouldn’t ever be able to do,” said Golson.
Alabama offers film incentives to bring crews to the state, but Golson says it’s hard to compete with other states like Georgia.
There are plenty of productions still taking place in the River Region though.
“A lot of reality TV. Obviously with the crew out at Alabama State working with the band. Travel channel, history channel are doing some things. They’re not rolling them out yet. They produce those about a year in advance,” said Golson.
