Look Mom, We’re in the Movies!
Movie-making has been going strong in Grand Rapids, Michigan this summer.
We have been on a movie set as extras in a major motion picture filming here in
Grand Rapids and Lowell.
The generous tax incentives that Michigan has offered the film industry to make
their films here is starting to pay off. Local caterers, local actors, and local crew
are being hired for the filming of The Genesis Code, a hockey themed movie starring
Academy Award winners, Ernest Borgnine & Louise Fletcher ( Nurse Ratched fame),
and former Presidential candidate, Fred Thompson.
The production company needed a hundred + extras for a scene in a church.
We are in the pews, singing (actually miming the words only) and listening to the sermon.
Not tough work, for sure, although it was a warm summer day, no air-conditioning,
a church full of people & lights, and we were dressed in winter clothes for a Christmas scene.
The magic of movies. We noted fake snow around the
small pond, too, when we walked out for lunch.
The whole production was fascinating to observe. We were made comfortable
in a nearby lounge at Calvin College, until we were lined up and put in the chapel pews.
The art of film was evident at close inspection. Stained glass windows were in the fron
to the chapel. The art dept had made paper to fit the side windows that matched the
stained glass up front, mainly to control the amount of light coming in.
The crew and production staff were always busy and bustling around.
Everyone seemed to have a walkie-talkie and an ear-bud to keep connected and
keep the production flowing smoothly. They all seemed to possess the talent of
listening and talking to more than 1 person at a time.
About an hour of filming the same scene each time, from different angles, and 10 hours
later, we were done! Our scene will probably be about 3-4 minutes in length. I have
a whole new appreciation for a film crew and what it takes to make a full length feature.
We were given a box lunch and treats in between. No pay but we might just make it through
editing and be in a major motion picture.
Here are a few pictures from our seat in the ”extra” spot.
I don’t imagine the film crew gets their picture taken very often.
We might be going to one of the hockey arena shoots this weekend.
It is nearby but they are filming from 5pm to 5am. Not sure we can make it through
that time frame – even if we sleep in our seats!!
Copyright 2009 all rights reserved
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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,
the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West
Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan
area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,
numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.
We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!
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