Movie provides millions with window to Eleuthera
More than one million US television viewers will be exposed to the wonders of Eleuthera when the television movie, The Glass Window, is broadcast over the Easter weekend.
The Glass Window, which takes its name from Eleuthera’s famous Glass Window Bridge, is airing on various network affiliates in more than 30 US markets. The film boosts Eleuthera’s reputation as a film location and a tourism destination, in part, because it calls the island by name in several instances.
Rev. Tim Paskert of Hannah Rose Productions, the movie’s producers, said he was divinely led to film scenes of the movie in Eleuthera. He pointed out that he developed a love for the island and its people. In the end, his decision to film in Eleuthera and refer to it in the script was based on the fact that he was proud to recommend the island and its residents to his audiences.
“My sincere hope is that you are going to find a bunch of people finding their way here because of this movie,” he said while attending a special screening of the movie in Eleuthera on Saturday.
Angela Archer, senior manager of the Bahamas Film and Television Commission, said The Glass Window’s several references to Eleuthera has tremendous promotional value for the island.
“The value of that mention of Eleuthera is enormous,” she said. “It is something that we could not really put a dollar figure to. It is something that if the Ministry of Tourism had to pay for to have that advertising value, we wouldn’t be able to pay for it. It translates into millions of dollars in advertising.”
The producers’ willingness to name Eleuthera on film also supports the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation’s overall marketing strategy, Ms. Archer said. The strategy aims to call attention to 16 major islands and island groups in the Bahamas, promoting each as a distinct destination for travelers.
“We are trying to differentiate the islands,” she said. “So the fact that we were able to mention Eleuthera specifically was a great plus.”
As the movie airs in several US cities, the Bahamas will also get direct advertising benefits. Hannah Rose Productions has reserved three advertising slots for the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation for each broadcast in every city. The advertising comes at no cost to the ministry.
Next, Hannah Rose Productions plans to have the movie shown around the world. In this process, it will be translated into several languages.
