Wednesday, August 6, 2008

In Which I Have The Opposite of an Epiphany.

Over the past few days, I've taken a little bit of a beating. (I'm not losing any sleep over it, but you can follow the threads here, here, and especially here.)

I get it. Everybody likes movies. You like watching them. If you're wandering around in your free time, you might even hang around and watch one being shot. If you're on your way home, to work, to the grocery store, to the liquor store, to the barber shop, to the funeral home, to the grain and feed mill, to the Poconos, to the airport, to Grandma's house, to Apu's Quickee Mart, to the restroom, to IKEA, or to the tentacle exhibition, you do not want to be delayed in any way shape or form by a movie being shot on your route.

I shall endeavor, in the future, to find all locations 3 miles from any thoroughfare, building or traveled airspace.

You're welcome.

(Oh, and not really.)

13 comments:

vince said...

Obviously I've missed most of this, but I went back and read everything, and you have my sympathy. My take is that the city and some of it's denizens benefit from the movies and films done there, but I can understand how people can be annoyed at blockages. It's kinda like the festivals we have here, especially Blueberry Arts. While it's going on, it's a pain in the ass for those of us who live here. But on the other hand, there is a beneficial economic impact to the area, especially to the restaurants and motels.

Somehow I get the feeling there's a bit of NIMBY here (it's a good thing BUT Not In My Back Yard). I like some of the compromises that you've suggested in the various posts. Maybe you should be the head of the Film Office.

Nathan said...

Not on a dare, Vince.

John the Scientist said...

I like that idea, Vince. I'll volunteer for vice commissioner.

And I sense a lot of the NIMBY attitude as well.

You're not taking that much of a beating. I think Jonathan's a little extreme (see my latest comment on the CB). If blockages happen once in a while, I don't think anyone cares. But I'm in the City on a very irregular basis, and I note the impact, so I think that the effect is magnified in an area as crowded as NYC.

Anonymous said...

I have never been to New York, outside of JFK airport. (I know, I'm an uncultured hick.)

It is on our list of places to go, and when we do, there are many locations we'd visit - and spend money - simply because we've seen them so often in film. I realize my small spending budget does not in any way compensate for any lost business during a shoot, but spread over the large number of New York tourists every year, there is some long term return on investment there.

kimby said...

Well, Nathan, you could come in film in our fair city...we welcome it! You have the advantage of having the American look, but with the Canadian attitude. We apologize for everything, even when it isn't our fault..so getting permits and stuff here would be no problem....And having a school of dramatic arts (university) and Performing arts school (high school) you would have a large pool of minions to pull from.

My back yard is always open...

Man said...

As a New Yorker and rabid movie fan, until Titanic came out, I love when they shoot.

Seeing the filming of Malcom X was unforgettable the fact I had to walk an extra 3 blocks to get back home was not a problem.

Con Ed just fixed a manhole across the street it caused an insane amount of noise but it was just 2 days, big freaking deal.

They filmed The Greatest at the same location you barely noticed except for all the trailers, it was a few days, big freaking deal.

Eric said...

Nathan, I didn't read every post in every thread, but as far as I can tell, I agree with what you've said. Got your back, man, for whatever it's worth.

Anonymous said...

I've been in lurk-mode for a while, but I wanted to slip in and say I agree with Kimby. If the people in New York don't want to deal with the side-effects of having movies & TV shows shot there, then feel free to come shoot in any of the 25,374 other "places" (cities/counties/towns/etc.) in the U.S., or see our neighbors to the North.

We've had a movie shot near where I live (I prefer not to say where that is) and though there were disruptions because of it, we were absolutely thrilled to have it here, for a couple of reasons.

1) It was a *movie* and it was being filmed *right here.* That doesn't often happen in small towns.

2) Locals were hired as extras, and I suspect for some other behind-the-scenes roles. Again, something that most of the people here will never have the opportunity to do again.

3) A *bunch* of people, including a celebrity or two, hit town for a while. Did it sell out every hotel and fill every restaurant? No. Was the WalMart completely sold out of everything? No. But it did bring in money we otherwise would never have seen, both from the cast/crew and from the people from surrounding areas who came in hopes of seeing a bit of the filming or one of the stars.

4) It caused a tourism boost, at least for a while. After the film came out, people started coming to visit because of the movie. Several years later, we still have people visiting because of the movie; not millions, but enough.

So, feel free to scout out any of those 25,374 places; I bet they'll be quite happy to see you. You could probably even find some pretty good stand-ins for certain areas of NYC -- minus the whinging, of course.

Random Michelle K said...

I tried to make a comment a little bit ago, but Blogger puked.

Please pretend I said something witty.

In fact, imagine Eric said something witty, and then attribute it to me.

Nathan said...

that seems like an awful lot of work for me!

neurondoc said...

"tentacle exhibition"? Now that I have to see...

Natalie

Random Michelle K said...

Nathan,

How about if you just laugh, and then attribute that to me?

At or with. Either is fine.

Nathan said...

Hey,

I already laughed at you in your place.