MONTEREY, Calif., February 1, 2017 –With an awe-inspiring picture perfect coastline, producers selected Monterey County as the backdrop for the new HBO drama miniseries “Big Little Lies.” As the highly-anticipated program is set to debut on Sunday, February 19, 2017, the Monterey County Film Commission is planning a launch party that evening to celebrate with local film crew members, extras and businesses who played a part in the show.  

“Big Little Lies,” starring Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon, is based on the New York Times best-seller novel of the same name by author Liane Moriarty. The seven-episode series, directed by Jen-Marc Vallée, follows the lives of three mothers - played by Kidman, Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley - whose seemingly perfect lives begin to unravel. The show was filmed for four weeks in January and May of 2016 at locations in Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel Highlands and Big Sur. 

“Although the novel is set in a little coastal town in Australia, the producers fell in love with Monterey County, and the beautiful views of the ocean,” says Karen Nordstrand, Director of Marketing and Film Production for the Monterey County Film Commission.

The film commission reports that “Big Little Lies” has generated an estimated $2.5 million to local communities including jobs, lodging, goods and services, local taxes and more. Nordstrand says the production team even left behind a few added bonuses such as new stairs leading to Garrapata State Beach and a set prop, which is now the sign for Monterey City Hall.

“When a big budget television show or film is shot on location here in Monterey County, it not only has a positive impact on the local businesses and economy, but it also inspires people to want to visit,” says Tammy Blount, President and CEO of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We hope that travelers will want to come to our destination and visit the sites where scenes were filmed as well as everything our region has to offer.”

More than 200 movies have been filmed in Monterey County since the late 19th century. Notable titles include “Basic Instinct,” “Turner & Hooch,” “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home,” “The Muppet Movie,” “We Were Soldiers” and many more. Since the Monterey County Film Commissions was created in 1987, the overall economic impact from film productions is more than $100 million.

The “Hollywood in Your Backyard: Big Little Lies Debut Celebration” will be held on February 19 at 5pm at the Carmel Mission Inn. The special event will include a screening of the first episode of “Big Little Lies,” premiering at 6pm. For a trailer and clips of the show, please visit: hbo.com/big-little-lies. As the film commission celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, the non-profit group is also raising funds to help enhance its efforts. You can learn more by visiting their website at FilmMonterey.org.

ABOUT MONTEREY COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

The Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCCVB) is a 501©6 organization that drives tourism for Monterey County and in recent years has led the destination to record levels of growth. Tourism is the largest industry on the Monterey Peninsula and the second largest in the County. The MCCVB is a partnership of the hospitality community and local governments that aims to drive business growth through compelling marketing and sales initiatives that maximize the benefits of tourism to our guests, members and the community. Travel spending in Monterey County was more than $2.7 billion in 2015, representing a 4.5 percent increase from 2014, and per person/per day spending rose to $333. Visitors in 2015 also generated $109 million in local tax receipts, a 7.4 percent increase and supported 24,390 jobs. 

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