Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - 10:03 AM EST
Lights, camera, action! Baltimore a top city to make a movieBaltimore
Business Journal - by Rachel Bernstein Staff

Baltimore has become a top darling for moviemakers in recent years.

That's according to the winter 2008 issue of MovieMaker magazine, a trade
publication focused on the film industry.

The magazine ranked Baltimore No. 9 on in its annual top 10 list of the
best U.S. cities to live, work and make movies.

"Baltimore has spent a long time establishing itself as a place where
artistic vision is respected and where well-trained moviemakers with
experience in various production settings can bring a professional polish
to any project," the magazine wrote.

Prominent movie directors and Baltimore natives Barry Levinson and John
Waters have both chosen Charm City as the backdrop for many of their
films.

In the last decade, more than $825 million in economic impact was
generated in Maryland, according to the magazine. Of that revenue, 80
percent came from Baltimore City, according to the magazine.

In 2007, Baltimore was the location for productions such as "Body of
Lies," "He's Just Not That Into You" and "Step Up 2."

HBO's "The Wire" is also shot in Charm City.

This is the eighth year the publication has ranked the top 10 U.S. cities
to make a movie.

Previous films made in and around Baltimore include: "The Accidental
Tourist," "The Blair Witch Project," "Diner" and "Hairspray."