Hollywood, Va.

The Old Senate Chamber in the State Capitol Building was full of people who showed up for a press conference hosted by Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling on Tuesday morning. Behind the rows of chairs were several photographers peering through lenses to document the occasion with pictures, both moving and still.

And while Bolling’s remarks were well enough received, he clearly wasn’t the attraction most of those on hand came to hear … or to see.

After Bolling spoke about the need for Virginia to offer greater "incentives" to movie producers, to encourage them to shoot more footage here, he introduced Academy Award-winning actress Sissy Spacek.

Prior to ticking off some highlights of Spacek’s stellar career as an actress, Bolling addressed his remarks to the need to pass pending legislation. Specifically was talking about bills (Senate Bill 257 and House Bill 861) to do with a "more aggressive" strategy designed to lure additional film production to Virginia.

Spacek spoke from personal experience about making films in far off places, and being away from her family. She lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband, Jack Fisk, in Keswick, Va.

They met during the production of Terrence Malick's critically acclaimed first feature-length movie, "Badlands" (1973), in which Spacek co-starred with Martin Sheen. Fisk was the production's art director. Since then he has moved from art direction to being a director, too. Spacek and Fisk have collaborated on eight features.

Spacek’s legion of fans should be happy to know that she was instantly recognizable, with her distinctive look — high cheekbones, turned-up nose and long strawberry blonde hair. Her smile was warm and natural.

"Last year I worked on a film in Georgia with my friend and fellow Virginia resident Robert Duvall," said Spacek. "That movie could have been shot in Virginia. I met other Virginians, working crew members, going where the work is … away from their families and leaving their tax dollars in other states. They, and I, would have preferred to have made this film at home."

Also present were state Sen. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) and Del. Ben Cline (R-Amherst). They are patrons of the aforementioned incentives bills before the General Assembly that Bolling touted.

Bolling recalled that Virginia invested $1.25 million in so-called incentive tax breaks to the producers of the 2007 HBO mini-series "John Adams." And according to his calculations, $80 million came back to Virginia in labor, equipment and whatnot.

Moreover, Bolling said that of the 42 states that currently offer some sort of tax breaks, etc., to film production companies shopping for the best deal, Virginia’s incentives are now seen as the least attractive. He called for Virginia to "get in the game."

Bolling insisted that tax breaks for motion picture producers is not about "giving money to Hollywood." On that, he and Spacek agreed that it is much more about jobs for Virginians. 

"There are great film crews here," said Spacek. "It’s time for Virginia to get a piece of the pie. I want us to get on that short list [for best locations in which to shoot a movie]."

Her Richmond audience appreciated her enthusiasm for promoting the best interests of her adopted state. In Quitman, Texas, Spacek was a high school homecoming queen before her cousin — Texas-bred actor, Rip Torn — helped to get her started in professional acting (and singing in clubs) in New York.

The warmest reaction the room gave to anything said from the podium was in reaction to Spacek when she said that her mother always told her, "Virginians settled Texas."