The StarNews of Wilmington reports that state tax agency records show producers spent more than $120 million in North Carolina and employed more than 10,000 people for some length of time last year.

 

Two dozen productions cashed in on the state's film industry incentive program, scoring more than $30 million in tax credits in 2011, about 12 times more than in 2010.

 

North Carolina Film Office Director Aaron Syrett says studios were even more active last year than agency-audited figures indicate. He says productions spent closer to $230 million in 2011.

 

State film officials are pursuing more than 120 new projects.