HBO miniseries highlights Virginia, brings revenue to the Commonwealth

By Josh Eiserike

Published: March 20, 2008

Flip on HBO this month and you might see some familiar places.

“John Adams,“ the new HBO miniseries detailing the life of our second president, was filmed in Virginia and generated $80 million in revenue for the state.

“Virginia’s film industry has again made our Commonwealth proud,“ Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine said in a press release issued from his office. “The filming of ‘John Adams’ generated $80 million in revenue for Virginia and is a prime example of why the film industry is vital to our economy.“

“John Adams” is based in the bestselling David McCullough book, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2002. Installments from the HBO miniseries, which stars Paul Gia-matti and Laura Linney, airs at 9 p.m. on Sundays through April 20.

Mary Nelson is the communications manager for the Virginia Film Office, which is part of the Vir-ginia Tourism Corporation. The Virginia Film Office is based in Richmond.

She said “John Adams” was produced by HBO and Playtone, which is actor Tom Hanks’s production company.

“All of the American scenes were shot in Virginia,“ Nelson said. “It’s pretty stunning. It’s unbelievable what they built here.“

She added that the movie was filmed in and around Richmond and Williamsburg. Back lots were constructed to “play” Washington, D.C., Boston and Philadelphia, complete with cobblestone streets and colonial storefronts. European scenes were shot in Hungary.

Although Adams was from Massachusetts (and famously clashed with Virginians such as Thomas Jefferson) Nelson also said that the filming was done in Virginia because of the cooperation with Colonial Williamsburg, which really embraced the project, in addition to cities like Boston and Philadelphia being too built up and modern to represent colonial and revolutionary times.

Filming was done last spring and was set up so visitors could watch—and not just the scenes with extras. Visitors could watch Hollywood A-listers like Paul Giamatti playing John Adams.

“It was an enhancement to the visitor experience,“ Nelson said. “I got to see Laura Linney play Abigail Adams the day I was there. She’s exquisite.“

It was also the first time, according to the press release, that a film production unit was allowed to shoot in Colonial Williamsburg’s 301-acre site.

“Tourism is a $17.7 billion dollar industry in Virginia and films like these help us promote our rich historic destinations,“ president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation Alisa Bailey said in the governor’s press release. “We hope the film will inspire people to visit Virginia, from Colonial Williamsburg to the homes of our Founding Fathers, and relive the important role Virginia played in our nation’s independence.“

The film premiered in Virginia on March 9 at the Byrd Theater in Richmond. Kaine, author David McCullough, actor Paul Giamatti and producer Tom Hanks attended.

“Its intention was always to be as historically accurate as it could be,“ Nelson said.

She added that author David McCullough was adamant that HBO and Playtone avoid the “Hollywoodization” of history.

Staff writer Josh Eiserike can be reached at 703-878-8072 or .