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The West Virginia Film Office launched an iPhone app to provide on-the-go access to the web-based Reel-Scout Directory for producers, location managers and others who are filming or considering filming in the state.

Since 2010 the Film Office has utilized this directory to assist its clients in their search for locations, workforce and business services in West Virginia. Searches can be refined by proximity to specific cities or towns, the type of job or location desired, among other specifications. The app also offers general keyword search capabilities.

®We are always looking for ways to better serve Film Office clients. This innovative app enhances the functionality of the current Reel-Scout system and simplifies conducting film business in the state,® said Pam Haynes, director of the Film Office. "This new app showcases the diverse locations available for filming in West Virginia, in addition to connecting producers with the state's talented workforce. The app also maximizes the efficiency of a producer's time, especially when timing is critical during the decision making process.®

®Imagine a production company searching for a church and a diner for a commercial campaign,® said Jamie Cope, location services coordinator for the Film Office. ®A producer finds a church that fits the script. The producer can then use the app to determine if there are any diners within a 20-mile radius of the church and view photos instantly. The app can then map the locations directly to the iPhone. In addition, workforce and business service features may also be used to locate companies such as accountants, lawyers, caterers, hotels, or construction and heavy equipment rental companies as well as workers with specialized skills in the industry, such as operating a dolly grip or high-definition camera.®

The data searched by the Reel-Scout app is only as powerful as the data that has been entered into the system. The Film Office encourages property owners, film industry workforce and businesses to submit their information through the Film Office's website.

®With well over 40,000 images comprising more than 4,000 locations, more than 275 skilled labor and nearly 400 businesses listed, we have a great start in showcasing the state's many attributes,® said Haynes. ®Given the wide variety of requests the Film Office receives, there is no such thing as too much information in our database. A film crew®s presence, especially on large-scale productions, is akin to a small town moving into the region, albeit on a temporary basis. In addition to the typical needs of a production, they also need to tap into the same services a resident would seek, such as medical care, laundry services, and recreation."

The app is free and available for download through iTunes. A link to the app can also be found on the Film Office website.

The West Virginia Film Office is a section of the West Virginia Division of Tourism, under the West Virginia Department of Commerce. Learn more about the film office at www.wvfilm.com.