Since 1983, more than 400 film-related projects have been filmed in Wilmington & North Carolina's Cape Fear Coast, often affectionately referred to as "Hollywood East." ONE TREE HILL, a popular hour-long drama that airs Mondays at 9pm (EST) on The CW Television Network, is among the many productions made in this region. The weekly series is filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina and nearby Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach.
ONE TREE HILL tells the story of two young men, Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan Scott (James Lafferty), who have little in common, aside for a love of hoops and the fact that they share the same father. After growing up on opposite sides of the tracks, the boys' lives collided when a twist of fate put Lucas on Nathan's high school basketball team. Years in the making, a deep and bitter conflict slowly unfolded as the two boys struggled to come to terms with a father who chose to live vicariously through one son, while ignoring the existence of the other. The half-brothers became rivals on and off the court, yet shared a mutual resentment of their father. Seasons 6, 7, and 8 follow the characters into their lives as young adults.
Currently filming Season 8, ONE TREE HILL stars some of Hollywood's brightest young stars: James Lafferty (Season on the Brink, "Emeril") and Sophia Bush (Learning Curves). It also stars Bethany Joy Galeotti, Austin Nichols, Paul Johansson, Lee Norris, Austin Nichols, and Robert Buckley. During seasons 1-6 actors Chad Michael Murray (Cinderella Story, House of Wax, Freaky Friday) and Hilarie Burton (MTV's TRL; Secret Life of Bees) also starred in the show. Since ONE TREE HILL's premiere in 2003, NC's Cape Fear Coast has doubled as "Tree Hill" a small fictitious town in North Carolina. Fans of ONE TREE HILL can watch the show and see familiar sights of Wilmington & NC's Cape Fear Coast. ONE TREE HILL is from executive producer and show creator Mark Schwahn ("The Perfect Score"), executive producers Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins, Joe Davola ("Smallville") and Mark Perry for Tollin/Robbins Productions and the CW Television Network. Past seasons are available on DVD.
Fans of ONE TREE HILL should note that The WB series "Dawson's Creek" also filmed in the Wilmington region from 1998-2003, appearing weekly as Capeside, Massachusetts. "Dawson's Creek" lives on in syndication and airs on TBS. For a "Dawson's Creek FAQ Sheet" visit http://www.capefearcoast.com/press/article.html?submitparam=Search&idparam=30 or call 1-866-266-9690. In 2005, NBC's one-season sci-fi series "Surface" lensed in Wilmington.
Frequently Asked Questions about ONE TREE HILL:
1. Can I see the show being filmed?
ONE TREE HILL debuted in 2003 and is filmed at EUE/Screen Gems Studios and on location in the Wilmington, North Carolina region. Sets are closed to the public during filming. However, fans can visit EUE/Screen Gems Studios (1223 N. 23rd Street), the largest production facility east of Hollywood (where OTH production offices are located). Guided studio tours often include visits to sets for ONE TREE HILL. Walking tours are offered most weekends (hours and dates vary, call for details or check www.screengemsstudios.com). Contact Screen Gems Studio Tours at (910) 343-3433 to confirm times. Large groups require advance reservations. Admission charge applies for tours (cost/tour availability subject to change without notice). There's also a guided walking tour of downtown movie locations, Hollywood Location Walk of Old Wilmington, that includes some of the locations used in ONE TREE HILL: http://www.hollywoodnc.com/.
2. Self-guided Tour: Filming takes place at various locations along the Cape Fear Coast. You'll see familiar sites along the Riverwalk (located at the foot of Market Street) overlooking the Cape Fear River where the Burning Boat Festival took place. Riverfront Park (Water Street, across from the Alton Lennon Federal Courthouse) is recognizable as the backdrop for outdoor basketball games. Fans are welcome to take a self-guided tour of businesses and attractions in Wilmington's Downtown Historic District that are frequently used as locations, including: Black Cat Shoppe (8 Market Street; formerly CD Alley) was the CD store where Chris (Tyler Hilton) worked. The outdoor patio of Mixto (5 S. Water St.) served as an open-air produce market; Blue Post Billiards (15 S. Water St.--must be 21 to enter) has appeared many times and is where Lucas and Brooke went on their ‘tattoo' date. Crow Hill Diner (35 N. Front St.) doubled as a restaurant during Season 5. Dixie Grill (116 Market St.) as a diner in Season 7; New Hanover County Public Library (Chestnut St.) posed as a health clinic. Port City Java-Downtown II (300 N. Front St.) stood in as Karen's Café in the pilot episode. Once the series was picked up, crews built a designated set for Karen's Café on the opposite corner of Grace Street at North Front Street. During season 6 the set for 'Karen's Cafe' was removed and the space was transformed into the Clothes over Bros. set. This same building at the corner of Grace & Front streets previously appeared as a Boston radio station in "Dawson's Creek." Cape Fear Community College campus (411 N. Front Street--Health Sciences building, school library, and courtyard) recur in episodes. The front entrance of the Schwartz Center (610 N. Front St.) appears as the exterior of Tree Hill High school; the back of the building is the gym's exterior. Interiors are filmed at Screen Gems Studios (see next section) and at Laney High School (see next section). Hell's Kitchen (118 Princess Street), a restaurant/bar recurring in "Dawson's Creek," became "The Swinging Donkey Bar" in an episode during OTH's 2nd season. At Third and Princess Sts is the historic Old New Hanover County Courthouse (24 N. Third Street), also the Visitor Information Center, is where cast hung out during filming of a season 1 car crash at the corner of Third and Princess. Interiors were used during an election rally. At the corner of Third and Chestnut streets are Thalian Hall's front steps and Corinthian columns that frequently double as Town Hall steps. And just a few blocks South, the Graystone Inn (100 S. Third St.) has doubled as a funeral home and used more recently as a New York apartment and hotel room (season 5).
Locations outside the Historic District (but worth the drive): Just across the river, there's Battleship Park (on Eagle's Island, beside the Battleship North Carolina--site of the River Court, outdoor basketball court). Other filming locations in New Hanover County include: EUE/Screen Gems Studios' sets for the Scott house interior, high school locker room, the coach's office. Laney High School (2700 N. College Rd., Tree Hill High gymnasium), which is also where basketball great Michael Jordan played high school basketball; Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park (5320 Oleander Dr.) in the arcade, miniature golf and restaurant areas; The Stadium Batting Cages (5570 Oleander Dr.); Performance Import Cars (19 Covil Ave.) is the body shop where Nathan and his uncle worked. Stevenson Honda Acura (821 S. College Rd.) was the prototype used for the studio reproduction of Dan Scott's car dealership showroom at Screen Gems Studios. Greenfield Park (N. Lakeshore Dr.) was a wedding setting (season 6). Johnnie Mercer Fishing Pier at Wrightsville Beach. On Pleasure Island, Nathan Scott's beach house is located at a private residence in Carolina Beach.
3. How can I see movie/TV stars?
During filming of a movie or television production, security is very tight both on location and at the studios. The only way to see the stars in person is a chance celebrity sighting at a public place such as a restaurant, shopping mall, boutique, video store, etc. Although TV and movie stars appreciate their fans, please respect their privacy. You may request cast photos by writing: The CW TV Network, 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522.
4. Where can I buy ONE TREE HILL memorabilia?
Licensed clothing and memorabilia can be purchased locally at Poodle's Island Wear (18 S. Water Street, Wilmington. Call for hours: 910-763-4523). You'll find One Tree Hill style merchandise at www.cwtv.com/thecw/style-onetreehill and you'll find free downloadable book covers and other goodies at http://www.treehillhigh.com/. TV/movie-related memorabilia is also available at the Black Cat Shoppe (8 Market St, Wilmington, NC. Phone: 910-251-6663).
5. How can I find out more about the show and its stars?
The CW maintains a website that contains detailed information about the show. You may visit the Official ONE TREE HILL website at www.cwtv.com/shows/one-tree-hill or http://www.treehillhigh.com/
6. How can I be an extra on a TV show or movie?
Fincannon & Associates, a Wilmington-based casting company, casts extras for local productions. If you're interested in being an extra, please contact their offices in advance, which are located at 1235 N. 23rd Street, Wilmington, NC 28405. (U.S. citizenship may be required.) Before visitors travel any distance to be an extra they are encouraged to call Fincannon & Associates at 910-251-1500 to find out about casting needs and employment requirements.
For info about Wilmington & NC's Cape Fear Coast (where ONE TREE HILL & DAWSON'S CREEK were filmed), call 1-866-266-9690, or stop by the Visitor Information Center located in the old New Hanover County Courthouse at 24 N. Third Street in Downtown, or the Riverfront Visitors Booth (April-October) at Market & Water sts.Or, visit http://www.gocapefearcoast.com/
NOTE: Studio, tours and businesses are individually operated. Hours of operation, fees and availability are subject to change without notice.
Official Tourism Website of Wilmington & NC's Cape Fear Coast
