Since 1968, Selma has been a focal point of Hollywood productions.
" Selma, Lord, Selma "
" Blue Sky "
" Body Snatchers "
" The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter "
&
" Pay Day "
"Blue Sky"
Some of the locations used in the film
" The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter. "
SELMA is proud to have had one of Hollywood's brightest stars in our "sky." Long before Jessica Lange was presented with an Academy Award for Best Actress (1995), SELMA knew it had a winner in Orion Pictures, "Blue Sky." It was filmed on location at Craig Air Force Base & other areas around Selma by Academy Award winning director, Tony Richardson. This probing drama also featured yet another Academy Award winning star, Tommy Lee Jones. Joining Lange and Jones were Powers Booth, Carrie Snodgrass and others.
Selma's successful filming stage was set by the 1968 release of "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter", which was based on the book by Carson McCuller. Alan Arkin earned his second Academy Award nomination, and Sandra Locke was nominated for an Oscar for their roles in this touching drama. Also recognized in the film are Cicely Tyson, Stacy Keach, and Percy Rodriquez.
Also filmed in SELMA during the 1960's was "Pay Day," which featured Rip Torn.
Warner Brothers selected Gabrielle Anwar, Meg Tilley, Billy Wirth, and Forest Whitaker to appear in the 1990's production of "Body Snatchers." A vote of confidence was given to SELMA by Robert Solo, who chose to produce his second film in the town.
SELMA offers unique filming opportunities for production companies and film enthusiasts! Located high on a bluff overlooking the beautiful Alabama River, SELMA is a natural setting for a variety of scenes. It contains majestic antebellum mansions, Victorian homes trimmed in gingerbread, and a rich blend of riverfront stores. Filming on Craig Air Force Base does not require Department of Defense clearance because it is no longer a military facility. However, fixed base operator and S.A.G. member, Ben Oliver quickly tells interested film professionals that the runway is long enough to land a 747!
Numerous Civil Rights based productions have featured SELMA, a city world renowned for it's role in the achievement of the 1965 Voting Rights Bill.
Affordability and production experience enhance SELMA's appeal to the film industry. These positive factors are proven by the fact that SELMA ranks second in Alabama cities in the amount earned in filming projects. SELMA is proud of it's role in the film industry and looks forward to future stars in our "sky."
