Growing Knoxville film industry boosted by ‘9-1-1: Nashville’ episode

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A new show coming to ABC could mean more career and tourism development, according to Visit Knoxville.

The show “9-1-1: Nashville” is set to film an episode in Knoxville this fall, becoming the largest production to come to our area. While the Visit Knoxville Film Office said Knoxville is already on the map for film production, this big of a project coming to Knoxville could mean much more for the future.

“Since 2014, we’ve had probably 20 or so feature films come through, the Burt Reynolds film back in the day, but this would be probably the largest,” said Curt Willis, Senior Director of the Film Office.

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Willis said the Film Office strengthens Knoxville’s economy through the promotion of the City as a premiere filming location.

“What we’re hoping is this is going to open up doors to bigger projects coming here on a more regular basis,” said Willis. “It’s obviously a great way to showcase Knoxville to millions of people, so we think it’s a win-win proposition.”

Not only will this bring Knoxville to more people’s living rooms, but it will also show how film industry is cut out for bigger projects, said Visit Knoxville President Kim Bumpass.

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“As far as a primetime TV show, I really think not only is it fantastic that Knoxville will be a character and it’ll showcase all the great reasons why people might want to visit Knoxville or be curious about Knoxville, but it will also kind of lay the groundwork to show what we can do here in Knoxville as it relates to hosting and accommodating a huge production crew,” she said.

Willis said it’s not just a fun cameo either, landing projects like this bring more visitors in and create more opportunities for actors, filmmakers, even caterers for when they are here.

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“So the economic impact for projects like this, a series like this on a city, it’s huge,” he said. “I mean Nashville had “Nashville,” they have this now, and they’re going to see a huge economic impact as well as it makes a very large impact on tourism as well.”

This is why hosting the crew here could be the beginning of more jobs and tourism in Knoxville.

“Hopefully the people that we’re working with, when they have something else coming down the pipe, they will consider Knoxville for the next project,” said Willis.

When it comes to productions in Knoxville, next month the film office is hosting the third annual “FILM FEST KNOX,” which highlights both regional and local filmmaking competitions and workshops.

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Willis also said Knoxville has been named one of the best places to live and work as a moviemaker by Moviemaker Magazine five times.

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