Shooting a TV Series in Detroit, what to expect?

[Hugh R]

I think I drew the short straw and will be involved in the safety of shooting yet another cop TV series in Detroit (Detroit 187 is the name). They say Highland Park is probably where it will end up, with scenes in and around downtown Detroit. I've heard stories of the vacant houses, slums, unemployment, etc. Any first hand knowledge/tips?

[red-beard]

I think "shooting" is the operative word...

[pwd72s]

Well, at least it's not Manteca....

[Oh Haha]

Duck!










Be safe Hugh.

[Jim Richards]

yeah, shooting back! j/k...I'll bet Detroit is fine. On second thought, the humidity will probably kill ya.

[Oh Haha]

They filmed "Semi-Pro" in Flint and nobody got shot so you might be ok.

[varmint]

expect to be shaken down by all the local politicians/activists/preachers/community organizers.

and maybe the local cops.


and be gone before halloween.

[Noah930]

Detroit doesn't look too far off from Robocop. Downtown truly looks post-apocalyptic. Skyscrapers and high rises with every single window broken out. Very sad, actually.

If in downtown at night time, it's not necessary to stop for red lights. Stop, but then go when it's safe. Cops are OK with and actually encourage that.

Airport is pretty cool, though. And being a car guy, you'll enjoy all the cool car museums (outside of downtown).

[Bill Douglas]

Good luck Hugh. And lets hope some of the footage is not LOL "so realistic you would swear it was real".

[Racerbvd]

Bummer Hugh, who did you piss off??? That is a sewer, and this is some of what you get to look forward too.

[bell]

there's a great little restaurant in greektown that makes gyros at your table......cant recal the name but has been a few years.......
watch out for the casinos LOL
the people mover is an easy way to get around if you want some cheap entertainment, it'll give you a birds eye view of the downtown loop, and you can go to the top of the trade building......i love to look at worn down/abandoned buildings, and detroit has always been great in that dept LOL

[tabs]

This link will give you an idea..and an entree of other Detroit Urban Decay videos..be sure to provide LOTS of Security..people have been known to be killed while visiting cemeteries and robbed at funerals...U would probably do better to make a post apocalyptic series there..if U have not been there you will be shocked..


Be sure to check out the Henry Ford Museum in Dear born and get some of the best Kielbasas made by Kowalski's..also the Eastern Market..(which is like LA's Grand Central) if it is still there, Greek Town....Port Huron north up into the thumb is nice..I used to stay in Port Sanilac at a B&B there...Frankenmuth is MI version of Solvang..

YouTube - Ruins of the city of Detroit(2009)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeUQLMEwUz4&feature=related

Be sure to report back to us..to let us know that you are safe. LOL

It would be a good idea for your production people to stay outside of Detroit for lodging...

[targa911S]

Hugh I have a lot of friends in DTW. PM me if you want to be hooked up.

[Oh Haha]

Tabs--I grew up in Port Huron. Seeing the lake freighters is still a thrill for me.

The drive up the "coast" is very nice as well. Not California nice but....

Port Sanilac, Lexington, Harbor Beach are all nice destinations for a day drive.

Frankenmuth is about an hour and a half up I75 and is a cool place to visit.



Seriously, unless you are filming in the bad parts of the city limits you'll be fine.

We have had lots of film industry folls here with all of the tax incentives the state offers.

Hugh-if you get the time to take a drive, give me a shout. I'd be damn glad to meet ya!

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

Bummer Hugh, who did you piss off??? That is a sewer, and this is some of what you get to look forward too.

Why they got the Obama money from the taxes Hugh pays and by increasing the the debt that Hugh and his daughter is going to have to wind up repaying.....Yep that is where da money is comin from...

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

Tabs--I grew up in Port Huron. Seeing the lake freighters is still a thrill for me.

The drive up the "coast" is very nice as well. Not California nice but....

Port Sanilac, Lexington, Harbor Beach are all nice destinations for a day drive.

Frankenmuth is about an hour and a half up I75 and is a cool place to visit.



Seriously, unless you are filming in the bad parts of the city limits you'll be fine.

We have had lots of film industry folls here with all of the tax incentives the state offers.

Hugh-if you get the time to take a drive, give me a shout. I'd be damn glad to meet ya!

There is good Chinese food in Sarnia and Windsor..A lot of Chinese emigrated to Canada before HK went back to the PRC..Canada being Commonwealth and all. Toronto is a couple of hours away and is a great city to visit..

You can also go up to Decker, MI and visit James Nichols and the Michigan Militia folks...

[CurtEgerer]

Hugh, I'm surprised you're still shooting this show (unless it's not in the City itself). Mayor Bing just put a ban on filming 'Cop Shows' after the DPD accidentally shot and killed a 7-year old during a raid looking for a murder suspect with film crews in tow. This was a week or 2 ago.

Bing bans TV crews from cop raids | detnews.com | The Detroit News

[Tim Hancock]

I hate Detroit. Be sure to get insurance on the rental car as the roads are pretty potholed up. The Tiger's stadium is pretty nice if you care to take in a ball game, other than that, the Detroit is pretty much a dump. If you end up going and get bored some weekend, I am 1.5 hrs south of there and would be happy to have you over for a visit and an airplane ride.

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

Hugh, I'm surprised you're still shooting this show (unless it's not in the City itself). Mayor Bing just put a ban on filming 'Cop Shows' after the DPD accidentally shot and killed a 7-year old during a raid looking for a murder suspect with film crews in tow. This was a week or 2 ago.

I imagine Hugh is doing a fiction/drama thing, not COPS/reality type stuff. I believe that's what the filming ban is about.

[rouxroux]

They don't call that area "Dodge City" for no reason...