Lesson Learned When Dealing With Film Production Companies
Editorial – Trust – it’s something that’s easily given, but once broken is very hard or impossible to replace.
For the past several weeks, the film production Largo has been taking place in Port Hope.
Mainly along the main street, and in Memorial Park. It’s been taking place throughout the day and night.
Fans have come from various parts of the province and beyond and those locals just interested in movie production have taken a keen interest in the film and have come out to watch.
Throughout the production, security and crew have been adamant that no photos be taken – at all – ever. On Walton Street which is the heart of the community, or while filming night scenes.
Most people have phones so the quality of the image certainly wouldn’t be worthy of print quality if it is from a distance.
The actors from what I’ve been told have been second to none. Amazing, gracious are just a few of the words I’ve heard how they’ve treated their fans.
There comes a time when everyone has to do their jobs – their profession as one would call it.
As a photojournalist at times over the past three decades I’ve been welcomed on sets, and at times, not welcomed.
The vast majority of times, the problem isn’t the actors, it’s the security getting to the actors.
But, it comes with the territory I guess.
During this filming to avoid any “friction” before the production Today’s Northumberland reached out to the publicist in Toronto to see if there was anyway of setting up some sort of photos that wouldn’t interfere with the production.
The publicist would have nothing of it and wanted absolutely no photos of the production – zip, nadda, zilch.
That, unfortunately, would be impossible, given they were the filming in public locations throughout the heart of Port Hope.
Nevertheless, the adage “education through communication” always comes to mind.
Try and work with the people on the production. Maybe something could be arranged.
During the first few days of filming, it was obvious they didn’t appreciate or want cameras.
At some points security actually jumped up and down in front of the cameras. Not just professional cameras, but any type or phone.
To be fair, at some points media can be pushy, but in some cases media gets a bad rap.
The town of Port Hope has been simply amazing posting what streets that are shut down for the production and the times.
This also gives people, fans and the community notice of the closure which is a good thing.
But the notice also advises media and paparazzi which may not be so good.
During the filming from the perspective of a photographer, the crew and security has been extremely gracious to utterly rude.
During one scene in Memorial Park, a crew member actually stated that Pennywise was in the bandshell and would be coming out soon.
My girlfriend and I decided to wait and sure enough there were shouts of joy from her when he exited the bandshell for the scene on top of the statue in Memorial Park.
A police officer and security asked to not take photos. It was a polite exchange, but given it was a public area, and it was my profession, the opportunity couldn’t be missed.
Having said that. Today’s Northumberland did wait until other local media posted photos of the scene where Pennywise was on top of the statue. Once they did, Today’s Northumberland posted photos. Another interesting aspect to this. A fellow named Stephen King re-tweeted a link to images of Pennywise on the statue, but no one can be sure if “IT” is the actual Stephen King,
Shortly after the scene, I actually shook the hand of the security guard and thanked him for his professionalism. Sometimes we don’t always have to agree, but we still have jobs to do.
Moving to the area of the town hall where others had gathered and which wasn’t rented by the production, the tone quickly changed from security and police.
Officers had/have been advised to “ask” people not to take photos, but it’s my understanding as it is a public place they cannot “tell” you to not take photos.
One officer politely asked Today’s Northumberland to not take photos. But when Today’s Northumberland politely declined the officer said I was an “ass” and walked away.
A short time later a security guard came up and asked, then told us we had to leave the public area – so we did.
It wasn’t rented. It was a public space and we were on public property. One person of the crew stated to people at the beginning the scene was being filmed directly towards the public, but I’m a bit sceptical of that given the cameras were facing the opposite direction.
On to this week when the night scenes along the river were taking place. Again, the municipality put out a release where the roads were closed. This time going by memory it was Walton Street between Queen and Mill Street. It may have stated Memorial Park, but there was no other area of parks that were mentioned.
But the grass area of Mill Street from Queen Street to the start of the condos on the east side was cordoned off to the public. No one could use the sidewalk.
It was surprising because there was nothing mentioned in the release about the public walkway area on both sides of the Ganaraska River being closed for public access – but it was.
On the west side though it was dark, it was visible there were a number of people standing in the area. But within moments of my arrival the police shuffled everyone back to a safe distance where no one could see the “action.” The reason again, the public was in the shot. The ironic thing, one member of the public mentioned the officers that had moved the public back, were standing exactly where the public had been and would be in the shot. So, one would think it was because a person with a long camera lens arrived and they didn’t want photos.
The assistant location manger, with the movie who I had been texting back and forth did text me to say he could get me access to a photo if I promised to leave. Again, the production doesn’t know myself and I don’t know them. But trust is a big issue. I’m well aware there was a upcoming scene they didn’t want photos of to spoil the production. But to me this is why it is so paramount to have a communication back and forth. No media should ever spoil a movie. But when you’re filming in the middle of a town for a major motion picture, try and work with media.
As promised, when I got the shot I left.
As I was leaving I texted the assistant location manager, “I’m in the car leaving Mike. Please let the producers know I appreciate it. And thank you. If you are back I’d appreciated being “welcomed” if you know what I mean. I am what I am and I don’t hide.”
That means, when I show up, I don’t go in dark corners and am rather obvious with the camera. Looking back, it may have been better to hide and snap photos where I could, but I always thought honesty was the best policy.
The ALM had said if the night shooting of Pennywise went smoothly, they might allow Today’s Northumberland for access to one of the actors.
Which would have been amazing.
The carnival scene was being filmed in Lakeland Place a day after on September 18. Because it was a night scene, I thought it would be great to get photos. Wanting to stay on the good side, I let the ALM know that I had arrived.
“Just fyi. As honest as I am, I’m here now with my girlfriend. Just heads up”
ALM responded, “no worries, just to say our prayers inducer (I take it he meant producer) was saying they would like to not have pictures this week, but we do have the kids in town next week on the 26th. We could get you some good access then.”
But I had already arrived, and the previous arrangement was if the night before went smoothly – it did.
I tried to explain, “It just might be hard because it’s night stuff. And that’s always best for mood stuff. But if I can ask, Is there something that they would not like me to take and I won’t.”
Taking a number of photos from across the street, I sent them to the ALM to see if they would agree to myself posting them. Short answer, they didn’t.
“They were going to get you special access next week. Possibly to one of the actors but I don’t know if they’ll do that now,” texted ALM.
Waiting approximately 24-hours for answer I didn’t post the photos still hoping. Shortly after 8 p.m. ALM texted, “No, Barbara is kind of ticked off that you took pics last night. They don’t want any pictures of the carnival. She was going to get you an exclusive next week.”
The word “exclusive” was never mentioned and frankly there was no confirmation that I would get any access, and there was no arrangement about the carnival. But in good faith I didn’t post the pictures and to this moment haven’t posted the pictures.
Letting ALM know that, he texted, “I can go at her again but only if you don’t show up tonight.” “Seriously man.”
This was at 8:22 p.m. on Thursday.
So, for the second night I didn’t go and take photos when they would have been amazing.
On Friday morning after texting ALM numerous times, he finally texted, “Sorry man, I don’t think so.”
“It was the other day when you showed up with a camera when you said you wouldn’t. They have not done anything just try and film a movie with some modicum of privacy and content preservation. You have no respect for that and we tried to play ball and it didn’t work out. That’s kind of it. I can’t do anything more. Call our publicist.”
Just to go over lastly for those that have followed this far. ALM said, “they would like not to have pictures this week.”
But nothing was said the previous night except they wanted the filming to go “smoothly” and he confirmed it did.
ALM didn’t firmly say don’t take photos, didn’t firmly say it would be an exclusive. And didn’t post the photos when they didn’t want them posted. Media has a job to do. But to wait for two days feels like I’ve been played.
People may think some media are pushy. Maybe I am guilty of that. But I don’t consider taking pictures in a public area being pushy. It could be construed asking a person not to take pictures in a public area might be a tad pushy.
But I always stand by my word. When the deal was struck to leave the area if I could get picture of Pennywise, I did. I was well aware of what I was walking away from. Other media posted Pennywise on top of the statue before Today’s Northumberland as we didn’t want to give any secret away.
When a person named Stephen King posted a link showing Pennywise on top of the statue, it set the standard of what was and wasn’t a secret.
There were things happening including stunts during the night scenes that we didn’t take photos of, or wouldn’t reveal to keep the suspense.
Everyone has a job to do and everyone should respect others that try and do theirs to the best of their ability.
In decades of covering events, I’ve always found the best way to avoid conflict is “education through communication. ” To work with others to try and find common ground. There was nothing more Today’s Northumberland could have done to appease the production. We cannot, or will not walk away from a story. Compromise, absolutely. Walk away – never.
Security has tried to stand in front of me blocking photos, called me “scum” stating I was fired from my last job (the paper was bought out in reality so I don’t classify that as fired), stated what they would like to do to me with their handcuffs, given me the middle finger and stated to the effect about hoping I would have a heart attack.
Classy.
After all that has taken place, Today’s Northumberland still supports the production in Port Hope. IT’s amazing and sure to be a hit in theatres.
But the public should be aware, media sometimes aren’t the enemy they are portrayed out to be. We also have a job to do to inform people about what is taking place.
I’m far from perfect, but all along I’ve kept my word – I’m wondering if people with the production can say the same?
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love