The California Film Commission reported that production is finally picking up in California and they feel the new incentive package offered by the State has made the difference. Over twenty-five features have been qualified for the new incentive and these projects must film at least 75% of their work in California. San Diego has reason to believe that two of these projects are already looking at San Diego as a filming destination.
The pilot from Twentieth Century Fox called Terriers starring Donal Logue starts filming this week. They are also starting right into filming thirteen episodes of this show for FX’s hour long comedy. You may remember Donal from Just Like Heaven also starring Reese Witherspoon.
The A&E show, Fugitive Chronicles, finished their two week project in San Diego with a bang! The production team filmed a chase scene and car explosion in an industrial area near Morena Blvd. The San Diego Film Commission provided oversight during the shoot and coordinated with the San Diego Police Department and the San Diego Fire Department for safety and traffic control. The modern day Bonnie and Clyde story filmed in several communities including La Mesa, El Cajon and a bank robbery scene in Spring Valley. While in the region, the production team hired several local crew members and booked hotel rooms in La Mesa and downtown San Diego.
The location manager for the recent Yamaha shoot was so impressed with the San Diego Police officers assigned to their shoot that he is currently scouting for a similar follow-up project. The San Diego Film Commission teaches a film detail class at the police academy that any officer serving film detail must take. The class educates officers on film production business, public relations in the community, protocol on the set and hierarchy of the production staff. Officers are then prepared and knowledgeable regarding production and their star performances in the field encourage repeat customers like Yamaha.
A Pictures wrapped their commercial for SDG&E this week. While in town, the production team filmed in Balboa Park, North Park and Banker’s Hill. The producer spoke highly of the 25 local crew members that were hired and mentioned that over the years he has filmed all over the city. During the trip to San Diego, A Pictures booked 42 room nights in La Jolla and Mission Valley hotels and spent additional money with local vendors and restaurants.
The feature film, Paul, is preparing to film next week. Writers Nick Frost and Simon Pegg also star as two comic book geeks going to Comic Con. They are recreating the Comic Con experience because they need the control for filming. Over 300 extras, crew and talent will require traffic control around the Convention Center for this scene.
