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Producer says no to Fergus
Published Friday, October 3, 2008
A Twin Cities producer who’d shown interest in the Regional Treatment Center earlier this week has decided to film in the metro area instead.
Timing played a part in the decision, said Chris Grap of the Minnesota Film and Television Board. Fergus Falls was one of two locations being considered for the movie — a psychological thriller set to begin filming in early November. As production staff considered the timeline and the steps to getting approval in Fergus Falls, the RTC became less appealing and the metro location won out.
“With the short (timeline), they weren’t up for what would likely have been an uphill battle,” said Jean Bowman of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“They just don’t have time to jump through the hoops that Dav (did),” Grap said, referring to Dav Kaufman, the producer whose proposal to film at the RTC was turned down by the council in August.
The name of this most recent producer has still not been released, but the film is said to have a budget of up to $2 million and potential star-power. Grap spoke with the producer about the RTC and the reaction to the Kaufman film Monday
The film business can be unpredictable, Grap said, but chances are the producer’s decision against the RTC will stick.
“It’s most likely they will end up filming at their Twin Cities location,” he said.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm surprised anyone would consider trying film here after the way Dav was invited only to be turned away at the last minute.
thanks to Chris Grap for at least suggesting our community!
I guess this sort of proves that the former decision did have more implications that some want to acknowledge.
Jamie Cooper
Posted by 2cents (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Producer turned down Fergus before they could say "NO". Darnit!! Can't really say "you snooze, you loose"in this case because Fergus would have still turned Opportunity and Livelihood down.
Posted by Generally_Misunderstood (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Am I the only one that is of the mindset that this was Chris Grap of the Minnesota Film and Television Board's way of thumbing his/their nose at the close mindedness of the Fergus Falls City Council? Kind of a way of saying you turned down the little guy for nothing more then complete asinine reasons, and here is a big fish you could have gotten but won't because of said action. Just one potential repercussion to lose out on. Just my humble opinion.
Posted by watermelon (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You guys are goofballs. You can't shoot two movies at the same time at the same facility-they would have rented the facility out to Dav for 10 grand, and the other party would have gone elsewhere. Or they wouldn't have heard of it in the first place without the whole Dav fiasco. This whole mystery producer idea is a crock because there just aren't many high-profile producers with large budgets from the twin cities area.
There is a strong possibility that it could be the Coen brothers, who just started casting for "a serious man" in august. And _that_ film, my friends would have put Fergus Falls on the map, had this all been in seriousness.
http://www.startribune.com/entertainment...
Posted by rodentboy (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
why isn't the city council down in the cities kissing some butt? they have to go after the movie now instead of blowing it off.
Posted by gumball (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They could film a "Jack***" movie here. It could star the City Council and star your ilustrious mayor. It would make everyone Not from Fergus laugh, just like the "FARGO" movie did.
Posted by mytwocents (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am very disappointed in our "community" for turning down the first movie and now we lost even having a chance at the second one... What is wrong with the people on the board? I just don't get it.. What, it might attract people to fergus? This is just so wrong and this is one of the reasons I have thought about moving to another city because fergus falls doesn't know anything good when they see it.
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on October 4, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To those of you who know how, why not film a video of whatever subject that includes the castle and where it is located and send it on utube/myspace also to HNNs 'news to me'. Get it world wide.
Posted by Granny (anonymous) on October 4, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All old people running this city. They need to be open and think of the future of the city. Pretty soon it will again be only old people and geese.
Posted by tippy98c (anonymous) on October 5, 2008 at 4:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wha,
Wha,
Whaaaaa...
Posted by richan (anonymous) on October 5, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fergus must be doing pretty well when the biggest media attractions of the Year have been OJ's golf weekend and a botched publicity offer. what ever happened to sound economic developement and the creation of real solid employment. it would seem the basic dynamic of the City has not changed in 4 decades or more. Those Who have, want to keep it all. and hook a trailer to the coffin to take it with them. and those without, apply their energy to whining and threats to move out of the area. please, whichever generalization applies to You accept it with My compliments.
Posted by 1125thmp (anonymous) on October 5, 2008 at 6:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Heck all I'm looking forward to is the deadline is fast approaching that the Development council said they needed to keep secret what was going on with the Chinese so they will need to cough something up that remotely approaches an excuse as to there ongoing mums the word.
Posted by klingetb (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 2:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts exactly 1125thmp. I was also wondering why we haven't heard a thing about the Chinese and the college lately.
Posted by gumball (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the Chinese want the college to have no"MSG".
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MSG should be banned as should aspartame.
both are unsafe and cause brain scarring.
MSG was proven to cause mental retardation when it was allowed in baby food.
Posted by Norse (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fergus Falls doesn't need a bunch of Hollywood wanna-b's taking over the town making a mess of Dairyland and Taco Johns while they film their youtube bound garbage. We already have enough delusional wanna-b's living here.
Posted by gumball (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No, No, NORSE. There's always room for one more. The rate of wannabe's leaving vs. arriving is much higher. Also, if the college does get off the ground, does Dairyland & Taco John have to start adding MSG to their food?
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
no what we need is the Chinese right?
not filthy American wanna-b's.
how dare Americans think of utilizing or preserving anything that might profit a couple of the city councils friends.
we need to just know our damn place, right Norse?
Posted by bucksteel (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think metasonics had too much aspartame and MSG in his baby food. Explains a lot.
Posted by Norse (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MetaMSG if you want the RTC so bad, then buy it and do with it what you will.
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 2:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Norse, have you heard of remedial reading courses?
perhaps your doctors should lower your medications or something.
what gave you the idea I wanted to purchase the RTC?
I thought as a member of this community I was entitled to an opinion at least as to what should be done with our cities assets.
I think if the CDG want the RTC so much, then perhaps they should offer something.
something other than chasing away multi million dollar movie offers.
Jamie Cooper
Posted by Norse (anonymous) on October 9, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"I thought as a member of this community I was entitled to an opinion at least as to what should be done with our cities assets." Meta
Yeah you do, 1 in 14,000 or so as an individual of the community. Just the same as the rest of us common citizens minus the felons and career criminals.
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