Posted on Wed, Jul 22, 2009 : 5:04 p.m.
Brushes with Hollywood? Anyone?
By Bob Needham
The Ann Arbor area continues to be a popular spot for movie filming, thanks to the state of Michigan's incentive program.
There were reports this week that more filming of "Stone," starring Robert DeNiro, took place in Ann Arbor. And Concordia University has been getting ready for its close-up in Rob Reiner's "Flipped." Meanwhile, the Manchester Enterprise reports that "Flipped" will also do some filming in Manchester next week.
Got a movie-related story, photo, brush with greatness, or note to share? Let's see it. Post a comment here, or do your own entry with the "start a conversation" link.
Bob Needham is director of entertainment content for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at bobneedham@annarbor.com.
Comments
Seth H.
Wed, Jul 29, 2009 : 9:48 a.m.
Filming for "Flipped" has wrapped at Concordia University. The crew took over the university's Earhart Manor yesterday (and almost every parking lot). Any one that drove by campus on Geddes Road should have seen trucks and trailers across the front of campus. The Earhart Manor is said to be included in nearly 10-15 minutes of the film. The crew was great: friendly, hospitable, and took wonderful care of the manor during filming. I hope the tax credit sticks around in Michigan. It's doing big things for our state. Concordia University is more than open to future films coming to campus.
Sam Nead
Mon, Jul 27, 2009 : 7:18 a.m.
Filming starts today, Monday, July 27th in Manchester, Michigan. Main street west of M-52 is barricaded. Crews have been in town since last week readying some of the store fronts with fresh paint and have been hanging fictitious business signs ("Sid's TV and Repair") in an effort to transform this small burg into the time period the film takes place (late '50's early '60's). The Whistle Stop diner has been transformed into a soda shop. If I get down there during my lunch hour (I work in Manchester), I may have more to share later. I'm carrying my wife's "Spinal Tap" tee-shirt and a sharpie marker in case I get lucky enough to get Reiner's John Hancock. You never know.
Jeremy Peters
Thu, Jul 23, 2009 : 8:24 a.m.
Unfortunately, I have to point out that it's likely only a coincidence. While I'm sorry that it happened to you, just because the movie is filming there and crowds are coming doesn't equate to a solid reason why your loss happened. What this film credit actually is bringing are jobs to the state (one of my friends was hired as a Production Assistant on "Whip It" in Ypsilanti, and another was hired as an extra on "Youth In Revolt" which shot in downtown Ann Arbor last summer. On top of that, these productions purchase food from local retailers, help bring tourists and gawkers in to local watering holes, and increase the business of of local sundries merchants as well. The company I work for, full time, has had the benefit of the free advertising by having our wares included as products in two films. In the end, all this results in increased business tax revenue for the state from companies like The Old Town and the company that I work for, and tax revenue (even though we refund a good deal of it) from the movies shooting here that, and this is key, would never have been here in the first place. I'm sorry for your loss, again, and got a bit off topic, but have to vigorously defend something coming from Lansing that is doing so much good for our cities and Michigan as a whole.
Jordan Miller
Thu, Jul 23, 2009 : 7:56 a.m.
They're filming a movie at the end of my block (in Virginia Park), and there are lots of people coming to see. Two nights ago, for the first time since I've lived here, someone broke into my car, which was in my driveway. I'm putting two and two together and suing the film industry.