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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 front 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!!
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate
Copyright 2009 all rights reserved
This 4 day event in downtown Lowell, Michigan is the highlight
of summer activities. There are so many things to do, it is difficult
to choose. There is literally “something to interest everyone”,
from craft fairs, car rumbles, pontoon tours, Barb B-Q cook off,
cruise-in, fireworks, parade, flush tank, street entertainers,
farmer’s market, beer garden, and the final event – The DUCK RACE!
The 2009 Lowell Riverwalk Festival is scheduled for July 9,10,11, & 12.
Come on out to Lowell and join the fun!
Thursday July 9, 2009
Free Concert at the Showboat Stage – 7:00-9:00 pm Stolen Horses Band
Showboat Cash Bar – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Duck Ticket Sales – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday July 10, 2009 Riverwalk & Downtown
River Valley Credit Union Arts & Crafts – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Commercial & Non Profit Vendors – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Englehardt Friends of the Library Used Book Sale – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Duck Ticket Sales –6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Street Entertainers – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Historic Pontoon Tours – 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Grilling & Chilling on Avery Street –- 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Showboat Cash Bar – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Center Stage Entertainment Featuring “Lazy Blue Tunas” – 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Late Night Shopping/Merchants – Until 8:00 pm
Saturday July 11, 2009
Riverwalk & Downtown
River Valley Credit Union Arts & Crafts – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Commercial & Non Profit Vendors – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Englehardt Friends of the Library Used Book Sale – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Good Chevy Buick Youth Zone/Children’s Area – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Lowell Community Wellness Health & Fitness Fair – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Duck Ticket Sales – 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
“FROM the Heart Parade” & Rumble the Riverwalk – Registration 9:30 am and Parade 12:00 pm
Bill & Paul’s Kayak Fun on the Flat River at the boat launch – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Grilling & Chilling on Avery Street – 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Street Entertainers – 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Bill & Paul’s Kayak & Canoe Race on the Flat River at the boat launch – 10:00 am
Flush Tank – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Laurels of Kent Pet Parade – 2:00 pm at Laurels of Kent
Historic Pontoon Tours – 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Jaws of Life Demonstration – 2:30 pm on Avery St/Police Station
Center Stage Entertainment Featuring “Alive & Well” & “Bronk Brothers” – 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Showboat Cash Bar – 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Laurel’s of Kent Fireworks – 10:15 pm at Stoney Lakeside Park
Saturday – Lowell Fairgrounds
Brian Mead Memorial Cruise-in – 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm Awards
Pauly’s Brew B-Q Throw-down – Registration 8:00 am
Jaws of Life Demonstrations – 4:30 pm at the fairgrounds
Motorcycle Poker Run from the Fire Station – 8:30 am
Antique Fire Truck Muster – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Flat River Antique Tractor Club Pull – 5:00 pm
Sunday July 12, 2009
Lowell Fairgrounds
Pauly’s Brew B-Q Throw-down – 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
BBQ Food & Commercial Vendors – 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Beer & Cocktail Garden – 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Under the Big Tent
Lowell Area Farmers’ Market – 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
State Farm Insurance Duck Race – 12:30 pm on the Grand River
Entertainment in the Garden – Featuring Bob Van Stee, Jimmie Stagger – 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
