State of Nevada Film Office – Charles Geocaris, Director
By Pathias Moyo and Rebecca Russell
Charles Geocaris is the Director of the State of Nevada Film Office, headquartered in Las Vegas. He was appointed the Director of the Nevada Film Office in the spring of 1998. Since then, Geocaris has restructured Nevada’s approach to bringing filmmakers to Nevada.
The Nevada Film Office, a division of the Commission on Economic Development, assists hundreds of productions annually in the areas of feature films, television, music videos, commercials, industrial and student films, documentaries and other new media projects. They provide assistance with location breakdowns and scouting, defining and managing logistics, intergovernmental liaison, resource gathering, materials provision, problem solving and more.
IFQ: Nevada has become quite a popular hot-spot for filmmakers. What are some of the more notable films the Nevada Film Office has helped bring to fruition?
Charles Geocaris: The most well-known include, The Hangover, Ocean’s Eleven, Rain Man, and The Cooler. We also work with hundreds of independent, commercial, television, and new media productions.
IFQ: Does Nevada attract film crews from other countries?
CG: We do–a lot of them! Mostly they are from the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and Japan.
IFQ: What sets the Nevada Film Office apart from other state agencies?
CG: We reach out to filmmakers. Nevada is very film friendly. Our office is committed to try and make every production conducted in the state a great experience. We accomplish this by providing unsurpassed customer service and intergovernmental cooperation, promoting our professional crews and state-of-the-art production facilities, and by showcasing our diverse, one-of-a-kind locations.
IFQ: Nevada has some very unique locations. What are the ones that particularly attract filmmakers?
CG: Our most popular locations include the Las Vegas Strip, Lake Tahoe, and our full-service facilities that include sets that are good for old western towns, ghost towns, and historical settings.
IFQ: What are some of the incentives or services that Nevada offers to filmmakers?
CG: One of our most attractive services is our free film permits. That makes working in Nevada very cost effective. Working with us enables productions to get permits in advance. It’s a quick process that can be done online. We also help filmmakers find locations and put them in touch with potential film crews.
IFQ: Where can filmmakers learn more about your services?
CG: On the web at: www.nevadafilm.com