HBO Signs On For 'VEEP' Pilot Shot In Md.
WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- It looks promising that Baltimore will be home to another HBO series.
Mary Bubala reports it's called "VEEP" and filming is expected to start this fall, bringing in millions to the local economy, much like "The Wire" and "The Corner" did years ago.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus of "Seinfeld" fame and CBS' "The New Adventures of Old Christine" filmed the pilot for "VEEP" in Baltimore this winter. That alone generated $6 million in economic impact for the state economy.
"It's a great thing for the state. We are talking jobs here," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
HBO announced Monday it's picked up the new comedy series and it is expected to shoot in Baltimore. Production begins this fall for a 2012 debut for HBO. That means hundreds of new jobs and revenue, similar to the benefits of two other HBO series shot in Baltimore, "The Wire" and "The Corner."
Maryland has doubled for Washington, D.C. in several movies, including Chris Rock's "Head of State" and Will Smith's "Enemy of the State."
This past session, state lawmakers approved $7.5 million in tax incentives for the local TV and film industry. That's way up from just a million dollars last year.
HBO is also filming a movie called "Game Change" in Maryland this spring. It stars Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin.
