Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Michael Mann I Presume?

NEWS - There will be scenes shot in Madison at the Capitol, inside AND outside and it seems Universal Studios has managed to get the State of Wisconsin bend some unbendable rules about the use of the Cap.

Money talks!

The Capitol will be used as the FBI building I am told. The Cap was last seen in the Movie "I Love Trouble" with Nick Nolte, Julia Roberts.

My undercover agent cleverly called "Spectator" is getting fitted with a costume Thursday and will be in on set on the 19th.

In other more personal news I am now 100% certain that I will NOT be called to be an extra in the movie. Why you ask? Because I have become Jimmy Olsen, Clark Kents sidekick.

Yea - It seems my new boss that works for the Isthmus was asked by Universal to be in the movie because he was a reporter/photographer and they needed some people that fit. Of course he said SURE!!

They asked him if he had been writing about the movie and he said yes, he had written a good amount and he had a Free Lance Correspondent in Columbus (who will have an article published Friday and that would be ME).

He was DROPPED LIKE A ROCK!!! SO LONG, NICE TALKING TO YOU. (Note from after the filming - he was NOT dropped - I was dupped)

Well - I'm guessing when I put on my app at the casting call that I wrote a popular blog about the movie . . . . . this was not something they thought was "wonderful".

So now I am forced to go undercover as Jimmy Olsen, cub reporter and photographer for The Isthmus, alongside Clark Kent, whom I (use to) idolizes  as a career role model. And yes - I do have a signal watch that emits a special ultrasonic frequency signal that Clark can hear anywhere on Earth. But I really hope I never turn into Giant Turtle Boy or Elastic Lad as the REAL Jimmy Olson did once. That would suck.

ANYWAY!

During the day yesterday my daughter-in-law, also known as The Columbus Paparazzi was floating around the construction area when a van pulled up in front of her. And who jumps out???

And the adventure begins.

Mann scurry's into a local historic bank with entourage in tow. This bank is what MOST people that come to Columbus take photos. This was not on the radar for scenes - UNTIL NOW.

The Columbus Paparazzi(CP) follows discretely.

It is inside the bank where CP starts to snap away (being very courteous) until she is very kindly told to back off a little.

WHAT - did she just go into the President's office??? I would not put it past her.

The following photos are of the meeting inside the bank. If anyone knows the cast of characters in the photos please let me know. They were all very close to MM in decision making.




After they leave the bank they conference on the sidewalk and MM is overheard talking about the chase scene and how some houses were not ready yet.

Then they take a tour of the town and locations, MM in a SUV and the production team in a bus. They drive down streets and abruptly stop in front of a house (which I will not post). MM gets out of the van with a couple others and go up to the door, knock and enter the house.

A few minutes later a few others leave the bus and enter the house and a few minutes later, like ants finding a piece of sticky candy on the ground the entire team is walking around the house in out and all over.

BTW - that is REAL snow - not the studio fake stuff - AND - it is mid March!

CP continues to follow the group at a discreet distance not wanting to create a Princess Di episode until they do some tricky bus maneuvering and they lose her (they are the pros you know).

And her day is done.

Meanwhile - back at the key-bored.

I'm making contacts and finding out there is no set schedule yet. I know for any of you that are coming to Columbus I would not count 100% on March 17th being the day they film. Weather is getting iffy and frankly I know they are worried about crowd control and noise.

IF you do come they will be herding people to pre-defined areas.

The town is taking shape.




The blog hit the 1400 readers yesterday for a one day record. Thanks - NO PRESSURE NOW!!

Talk at ya later.

Rod M

19 comments:

  1. hee! Finally! I was waiting for you, yanno. ;) I have been combing the local papers (Portage, Beaver Dam, etc.) for their tidbits. The Daily Register had a nice article on the bank being used as the one robbed in Indiana.

    Trez Kewl about the CP and her exploits! You need to outfit her (and others) with cameras disguised as pens or something.

    Terribly sorry about the lack of a call back for casting. But I will be a bit happy because you can blog to your heart's content (and mine) about the goings on, and not be distracted by having to stand around in between takes. Expecting great things from you as you take in the sights! :)

    I'm trying to imagine the number of outsiders who are and will be in Columbus, besides the curious on-lookers and Depp worshippers. Production crew. Film crew. Gaffers. Best boys. Caterers. Assistants to the assistants. Columbus must be bursting at the seams! I hope to visit on Sunday, just to soak in some of the wild craziness! LOL!

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  2. Thanks so much for the updates. Please keep me posted on the shooting dates so I can take off work :) I knew this nice stretch in weather was too good to be true :)

    I can't wait to see your article in the Isthmus. If I am able to get any good pics of this production, I will definately share them with you.

    Have a great day!!!

    Rachel

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  3. Hey Grinder, this is Demon fom a few days back. It looks like CP was standing right outside my house when she took that picture of the bus! haha Excellent... (Mr. Burns voice)

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  4. I like the numbering of suspects.

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  5. Demon - email me - the house they were looking at was BEAUTIFUL!!

    PLUS - so far

    Number 6 GUSMANO CESARETTI
    Number 4 Michael Waxman I presume
    Number 2 Dante Spinotti???? No too big!

    and

    1. Kevin Misher (Producer)
    6. Gusmano Cesaretti (co-producer)

    The rest could possibly be Bob Wagner (1st Assistant Director), David Kelley (2nd Assistant Director), Bryan H. Carroll (co-producer) and Nathan Crowley (Production Designer).

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  6. So, what street is the house on? any chance it is Prairie Street?

    I am home today with sick kids and wife. I should walk around and get some shots, but, well, somebody has to take care of things around here.

    Any word if the filming company considered that they are filming during Columbus' spring break? all the standard locals, plus the out-of-towners, plus 500 school kids with nothing better to do? Great planning!

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  7. from www.channel3000.com

    MADISON, Wis. -- Hollywood glitz and glamour will be coming to another city in Wisconsin in the coming days.

    Darlington is the next stop for filming in the movie, "Public Enemies."

    The Lafayette County Courthouse will be the backdrop for a shoot next Wednesday, WISC-TV reported.

    Madison, Columbus and Oshkosh are other Wisconsin cities rumored to serve as backdrops for the picture, which will follow the exploits of Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger and his associates. Actors Johnny Depp and Christian Bale are set to star in the movie.

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  8. Teetlebomb - yes - Prairie street and it's all I'm going to say - at the moment!

    OH - I am good BUT - can keep secrets!

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  9. I think #5 might be Oprah Noodlemantra.

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  10. I really enjoy reading your blog and like the way you write. Love all the interesting tidbits and photos! The photos are wonderful, tell 'CP' nice job and both of you keep up the good work!

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  11. Too tall to be Oprah Noodlemantra

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  12. Great blog appreciate all the info and pictures about PE. Anne r

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  13. Did anyone see #5? I still think it may be Oprah. Did you ask the CP if it was possible? Hmmmmm. It makes perfect sense to me. I am from Wyocena and am spending the night @ the Super 8 in Columbus Sunday night. Thank you so much for your blog. I know that you have to be tight-lipped but I have truly enjoyed your personality coming through those fingertips. I also have a "strange" way of looking at humor so appreciate the "not so obvious" look you have. :-)

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  14. #5 has officially been identified as Construction Coordinator Michael Diersing.

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  15. And #6 has officially been identified as Gusmano Cesaretti

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  16. Any news on Columbus shooting dates?? I live in Madison and was thinking of driving up this weekend to check things out.

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  17. Filming starts Monday and may continue through the 20th.

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  18. First and foremost, good job Columbus Papparazzi & Reporter/Blogger =)

    Just to reafirmed, I'm an actor and I worked with # 6 Mr. Gusmano.
    Btw, He is an awesome Guy!

    Peace & Love...

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