Ever since filming for the Spike TV Movie “The Kill Point†began in downtown Pittsburgh’s Market Square, the news has been reporting on all of the negative effects it has had on the community.
First, there came reports that businesses were suffering because customers were not allowed past the road blocks that the filmmakers put up to close off the set. Even restaurants that were a few steps past the barrier were inaccessible, even though the film was being shot a few blocks down the street. This was upsetting for business owners who were unable to meet their payrolls. Then, on Tuesday, a local woman from Wilkinsburg who was hired as an extra in the film, left the set in her police costume. It was reported that 47-year-old Kimberly Chapman then went to the Allegheny County Courthouse to try to free her son who was being held on a gun charge. When her authority was questioned by a legitimate officer, she confessed that she wasn’t a real police officer. She was charged with two misdemeanors including impersonating a public servant and theft in taking the uniform off the set.
Pittsburgh is no stranger to Hollywood so it seems odd that problems would arise on this particular project. Some of the films on Pittsburgh’s resume includes George A. Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead,†“The Deer Hunter,†“Flashdance,†“The Silence of the Lambs,†“King Pin,†“Dogma,†“Wonder Boys,†“Inspector Gadget,†“Rock Star,†“The Mothman Prophecies,†and “The Mysteries of Pittsburgh,†where Sienna Miller made her infamously harsh comments about the city. Other than that, however, a film production has not had such negative exposure like this one.
Despite these problems, Pittsburghers will have to get used to the chaos that comes with a Hollywood shoot as the series will be filming entirely in Pittsburgh, despite being set in Manhattan. The show focuses on a group of American Iraq war veterans who stage a bank heist Downtown which turns into a hostage negotiation. ER’s John Leguizamo plays the heist leader and The Sixth Sense’s Donnie Wahlberg plays the hostage negotiator. Wahlberg and his team take over a coffee shop in Market Square for their command center, and snipers look down on the bank from PPG Place. Locals make up about 70% of the production crews, and the production plans to bring in about $18 million for the county’s economy after it wraps up in June. The series will be about eight hours in length set to air July 22 with a two-hour premiere.
For related stories, visit www.pittsburghlive.com and www.wpxi.com.
3 users commented in " Spike TV Movie Creates Problems in Downtown Pittsburgh "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackHaving been on the set as an extra for 8 of the 10 days in Market Square, I’d like to add some first hand insight to the comments made by Ms. Smith. Yes, there were times when the cameras were rolling that pedestrians were asked to wait until the action was complete before they continued to their destinations in Market Square but that was usually for 2-3 minutes at a time. When the director yelled “Cut!”, the barricades were opened for all to walk through. Production assistants were placed at each barricade to monitor the flow of traffic and to make sure that a clear path was available for pedestrians between takes.
I am certainly not saying that the businesses in Market Square did not see some decline but many extras (often hundreds a day) took their time to patronize these establishments during breaks. I believe that the production company also purchased food from these vendors to serve to cast and crew.
From my vantage point, this was a huge undertaking and those in charge worked hard to work out any problems that arose.
I was proud to be a part of this production and very proud that it was shot in Pittsburgh. I’m looking forward to seeing
our city shine when “The Kill Point” premieres in July (It is set in Pittsburgh, not Manhattan, and features some of the best
there is to see in our town)
I was very amazed to witness them film this movie. I was there while they were filming scenes because i walk past Market Square every day going to work on Stanwix and I live in Pittsburgh and you dont see too many films being made too often in Pittsburgh. This isn’t Hollywood. But however, it was stressful because I wasnt allowed to get through and the filmcrew was making everyone leave and go around the other side and had so many bodyguards with the celebrities. However, they didnt know who was an extra or not so if you were on the set, they assumed you were rather than just walking past the camera and being on camera while they were filming with being in the way. I was within 1 inch of JOhn Leguizamo and other celebrities and couldnt get an autograph because they were so busy. It was so fun being around celebrities and I felt like a star and part of the movie too!! It was cool.
I saw the first two hours of the movie and loved it. I was surfing with my remote when I saw Tobin Bell.
Unfortunaly it was getting close to the end of the show. I had not known he would be in this film. After that, I was hooked as he is my favorite actor. Believe me, I will be watching the remaining episodes and really believe you should advertize more on this particular show since there are a lot of Tobin Bell fans out there besides myself.
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