GOSHEN – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus and Director of Tourism and Film, Amanda Dana, are proud to congratulate Brendan Fraser for winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the film “The Whale.”
Much of this $3 million motion picture was filmed at Umbra Stages in Newburgh, making it one of several current and upcoming movies and TV series being produced in Orange County.
“Brendan Fraser’s performance was incredibly moving and became celebrated, culminating his Hollywood comeback,” Neuhaus said. “We were so honored the producers of “The Whale” utilized Umbra Stages and are proud more filmmakers are discovering Orange County as a production hub. I also want to thank Amanda Dana and the Office of Film for working diligently to ensure a streamline process for producers, directors, and talent such as Mr. Fraser and many other noteworthy stars.”
Fraser garnered Oscar buzz and extended standing ovations at film festivals for his portrayal of a reclusive English teacher, suffering from severe obesity, who attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenaged daughter. “The Whale” used Umbra’s stage 4, an 18,000-square-foot drive-on sound stage. The movie also won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
“This is such a well-deserved honor for Brendan Fraser,” Dana said. “I could not be happier that our Film office and Umbra Stages were able to assist in bringing this production to Orange County. We work tirelessly to strengthen our filming incentives program, which will continue to enhance the desirability of filming in the beautiful and resource-abundant Orange County.
About Orange County Tourism & Film
Orange County Tourism & Film, based in Goshen, N.Y., is the county’s tourism and film production headquarters and a participant in the I LOVE NY program. A comprehensive listing of area attractions, lodging, events and film resources can be found at www.OrangeTourism.org. Additionally, a fun, free, 56-page travel guide is available for digital download at orangetourism.org/travel-guide/.
About the Orange County New York Film Office
The film office represents the Orange County, N.Y. region to incoming and potential film productions and operates as an arm of Orange County Tourism. Among its services, the Film Office acts as a liaison between the film industry and government agencies in Orange County, helping to set up contacts within its municipalities and streamlining paperwork to help filmmakers who want to bring their productions to Orange County. Other incentivizing services provided by the Film Office include location support; permit assistance; crew and resource referrals; casting and crew call support. Additionally, the office assists productions with the New York State Film Tax Credit Program, the nation’s most stable and successful production and post-production tax credits – as much as 35% on labor and qualifying post-production projects to productions who bring their business to Orange County, N.Y.
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