UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Thursday. November 30,1995
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MOVIES: Filmmakers see Kansas as solution to stagnating Hollywood sets
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Continued from Page 1.
As filmakers run out of fresh locations in California, the small towns and rolling prairies of Kansas offer a more sophisticated generation of movie audiences the realism they've come to expect.
But that realism is more than just a nice setting for a western. Kansas has a diversity of locations ranging from the cow-town look of Ablene to the open spaces of the Flint Hills. Add to that hard-working friendly locals, and Kansas gets top billing with some producers.
Filmmaking in Kansas puts $10 million a year into Kansas pockets. On top of that, it's just plain cool to be in the movies.
Any type of publicity for the Eldridge is good publicity, Johnson said. It's always good to get the hotel's name on the credits. Although the Eldridge doesn't plan on advertising itself as a prime film location, its staff would be more than happy to oblige anyone else who wants to use the hotel as a setting.
The people who do go out and get film business for Kansas work for the Kansas Film Commission in Topeka. The commission is part of the Travel and Tourism division of the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing, and Vicky Henley is the director.
Henley said Kansas would receive 90 to 120 filmmaker requests a year asking for a certain look or location. Henley and the film commission do what they can to find the location producers need and convince them that Kansas has exactly what they want.
Kansas, Henley said, offers something to filmmakers that Hollywood cannot.
tion burnout.
"We have new and diverse locations," she said. "Locations that have never been seen on-screen before."
Henley is talking about what the film industry calls loca-
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, movie audiences became more sophisticated, she said. They noticed that certain locations were being used over and over again. Consequently, filmakers moved their productions out of Los Angeles.
If there's any look needed for a movie, Kansas can probably provide it. It just depends on the filmmaker's request.
who lives in Lawrence, Kansas was exactly where he wanted to shoot his first film, "Ninth Street," which will be released next year. The film, which stars Martin Sheen and Isaac Hayes, is the story of the last days of a once-popular area of Junction City where soldiers from Fort Riley would go to find entertainment. Most of the film
"We're good at Anyplace, U.S.A.", Henley said.
make films in Kansas whenever he could. He shot two films in Kansas, the 1986 mini-series "Murder Ordained" and the 1991 television movie "The Burden of Proof."
For Kevin Willmot, a writer and filmmaker
Need a college campus filled with fall foliage? There's the University of Kansas or Kansas State University. Need a military base? there's Fort Riley or Fort Leavenworth. Need a small town? Take your pick.
Kansas City area,
and parts of it
were filmed in
Lawrence.
W ill m o t wanted to film in Kansas to show what it was like for Blacks living in the Midwest in the 1960s. He said that everyone has seen films depicting Black commu-
Quiz Answers
1. "Hambone and Hillie"
2. "Sometimes They Come Back"
3. "Sarah: Plain and Tall" and "Skylark (Sarah II)"
4. "Blind Man"
5. "Rescue 911," "Cops," "Unsolved Mysteries,"
and "Real Stories of the Highway Patrol."
6. "Burden of Proof"
7. "No Holds Barred"
8. Art Carney
9. Hutchinson, Halstead and Salina
10. "Truman"
Robe said Kansans were always willing to cooperate because they appreciated the art that was being created in their community. And filmmaking in Kansas is still a new thing,
York or Los Angeles. But few films explain Black history in the Midwest.
"rarely do they get an idea of what it's like alive out here" he said
--his films because they have a strong work ethic, and the locals don't cop an attitude when the production company shows up.
In addition to increasing business for local hotels, restaurants and shops, bringing a film into Kansas also puts local film crews' to work.
In 1995, more than $5 million was spent on film production in Kansas. Since 1985, outside film companies have brought more than $58 million into the state.
Willmot prefers to employ Kansas crews in
so residents are still excited when a film crew comes to town.
"People out here are not jaded about filmmaking," he said. "It's difficult to get that kind of cooperation in big cities."
lawn mowers just as shooting begins. Producers may try to talk the resident into waiting for the filming to end before he mows his lawn, but the disgruntled homeowner won't settle unless he is paid for his silence.
For example, when a film is being shot in a Los Angeles neighborhood, residents sometimes turn on their
Willmot said Kansans don't try to take advantage of movie companies like that.
Mike Robe, a filmmaker and KU graduate who lives in Los Angeles, said he tried to
"If you live in LA, it's not such a special thing," Robe said. "People don't welcome you quite as much. They just want your money."
In fact. Henley
in fact, Hedley said, Kansans are the film commission's biggest selling point. The willingness and cooperation of state organizations as well as local citizens are attractive to movie producers.
Judy Billings, director of the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau, located at 734 Vermont St., said she remembered when the entire county court system was willing to accommodate a film crew.
The producers of "A Matter of Justice," a 1993 television movie starring Patty Duke, wanted to film some of their scenes in the Douglas County Courthouse during a busy workday.
The court adjusted its schedule, shifting case times to allow scenes to be shot.
"It was a little bit of a hassle," Billings said. "But they were willing to make it."
Robe wanted to film "Murder Ordained," which he wrote and directed, in Emporia because it was a true story of a murder that took place in the town.
"Anytime you want to shoot a true story in the town that it took place in, you get a wonderful feel of reality that benefits the whole film," he said.
When he arrived, he found that the community was more than willing to do whatever it took to recreate the story with historical accuracy. He shot scenes in the courtroom where the trial took place and was even able to stage the murder on the bridge where it actually took place.
--to see what was needed to accommodate their needs.
The invasion of movie producers in Kansas gives work to aspiring local actors.
Jack Wright, professor of theater and film and co-founder of Wright/Llaird casting, has worked with several producers of movies shot in Kansas, including Kansas" most recent major projects, "Kansas City" and the HBO production "Truman."
His KU connection means KU students end
um on the screen
Matt Hostetler, Glenwood Springs, Colo.
junior, worked as an extra in both "Kansas
In "Truman," he spent three days playing a World War I soldier in France. It was supposed to be raining in his scenes, so Hostetler had to act while the crew constantly dumped cold water on him. Acting while soaked gave Hostetler a better understanding of show business.
"It gave me an idea of what the commitment is like," he said.
When the film aired on HBO in September, Hostetler watched it with a couple of his friends.
"It was a pretty big rush," he admitted.
City," which will be released next year, and "Truman."
He had to rewind and pause the tape before he could make out his own face, but there he was.
"It was a pretty big rush," he admitted. Byron Myrick, a Lawrence resident and former KU student, will have a speaking role in "Ninth Street" and a non-speaking role in "Kansas City." Myrick plays Tonk, the right-hand man to a mob gang leader played by Harry Belafonte. Myrick can be seen at Belafonte's side in every scene.
Myrick said his experience on the set of "Kansas City" gave him connections he never thought he could have made by living in Kansas. In fact, he said, he became very good friends with Belafonte.
"Every time we had a break, he'd call my name and want to talk to me," he said. "We got to be so cool. He invited me to a private screening."
After wrapping up "Kansas City," Belfaconte even offered Myrick a part in his next film project.
The experience and connections Myrick got on the projects have given him a start without the typical starving actor's Los Angeles pilgrimage.
Even after his bit parts, Hostelster's hopes are up. Not only for his career — but for more shoots in Kansas.
Jack Wright said, "It would be terrible to see this fall by the wayside."
By nurturing the relationships with filmakers who have worked in Kansas, Henley and the Kansas Film Commission try to let entertainment industry leaders know that Kansas enjoys having film companies set up shop in their state.
That prompts filmmakers to come back and recommend Kansas to other filmmakers.
"We happen to have a lot of repeat customers in the state of Kansas," she said.
Jack Wight said, "I think the fact that so many companies are coming back a second or third time speaks for the fact that they like working here."
Robe said he was inter-
Portions of the HBO movie "Truman" were filmed at the capitol building in Topeka
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Boom: Lawrence lands in silver screen spotlight
Lawrence has played a supporting role in the development of filmmaking in Kansas. In fact, Hollywood's attraction to Kansas began in Lawrence with the filming of "The Day After."
Continued from Page 1.
"It just kept getting bigger and bigger until the show was on," Ross Wulkuh said.
When ABC became interested in using Lawrence as the location for its movie, Kansas had no film commission to help the film company get its production rolling. Judy Billings, director of the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau, 734 Vermont St., worked with executives at ABC to see what needed to be done to get them to film in Lawrence. Once the filming began, Billings worked with the executives
Several locations in the city were turned into different scenes depicting the effects of nuclear war. Film crews shot along the Kansas River banks, inside Allen Field House and in the downtown area.
In 1982, a bus station stood at the site of what is now the Free State Brewing Company, 636 Massachusetts St. Billings and the film crew forgot that a bus was scheduled to arrive at afternoon. When the bus
In fact, on Labor Day 1982, the entire 600 and 700 blocks of Massachusetts were closed off for a scene showing the aftermath of a nuclear bomb. Film crews tore up buildings, turned over cars and set them on fire. Lawrence looked like it had undergone a disaster.
That's what some people did think.
rolled down Massachusetts St., horrified passengers stared out the bus windows at the carriage.
"The Day After" launched the Kansas Film Commission and the Kansas III Film Commission, which is a collaboration of local film commissions in Lawrence, Overland Park and Topeka. Billings became the director of Kansas III.
Films having scenes shot in Lawrence include the 1987 film "Kansas," the 1989 mini-series "Cross of Fire" and the 1989 television movie "Where Pigeons Go To Die."
"It just looked like a mess," Billings said.
Billings said Lawrence had a variety of settings which could be useful in any type of movie. Filmakers just have to realize that the scenery in Lawrence is not like stereotypical Kansas.
Jeff Johnson, manager of the Eldridge Hotel, 701 Massachusetts St., said the hotel has played host to a lot of celebrities during their stay in Lawrence. He said two of the most popular guests of the hotel were Andrew McCarthy and Matt Dillon.
"We're not flat and dry," she said.
"We do have trees and hills. We have fall foliage. We don't have mountains or the ocean, but we can be a look-alike for anything else."
During their stay for the filming of "Kansas," citizens of Lawrence would find excuses to come by the hotel and hang out in the lobby.
There were a lot of people wanting to catch a glimpse of them," Johnson said.
Johnson said the actors who have stayed at the Eldridge often have commented on the beauty of the downtown area.
4.
ested in keeping a good relationship with Kansas and hopes to continue to make films in the state.
"I'm actively looking for a film to shoot in Kansas," he said. "I've never had anything but great experiences. I hope to be back there in a year or two."
Kansas Production Credits
"Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies"
(feature film, 1973)
"American Flyers"
(feature film, 1985)
"Americana"
(feature film, 1983)
"The Attic"
(feature film, 1979)
"Bad Company"
(feature film, 1972)
"Bucktown"
(feature film, 1973)
"The Burden of Proof"
(television, 1991)
"Carnival of Souls"
(feature film, 1962)
"Cross of Fire"
(television, 1989)
"Dark Before Dawn"
(feature film, 1987)
"The Day After"
(television, 1982)
"Dead Before Dawn"
(television, 1992)
"Gypsy Moths"
(feature film, 1969)
"Hambone and Hillie"
(feature film, 1984)
"I Can Make You Love Me:
The Stalking of Laura Black"
(television, 1992)
"In Cold Blood"
(feature film, 1967)
"Kansas"
(feature film, 1987)
"Kansas City"
(feature film, 1995)
"King Kung Fu"
(feature film, 1973)
"The Learning Tree"
(feature film, 1969)
"Linda Lovelace for President"
(feature film, 1976)
"Mary White"
(feature film, 1977)
"A Matter of Justice"
(television, 1993)
"Miss Missouri"
(feature film, 1989)
"Mr. & Mrs. Bridge"
(feature film, 1989)
"Murder Ordained"
(television, 1986)
"Nice Girls Don't Explode"
(feature film, 1986)
"Night Screams"
(feature film, 1986)
"Ninth Street"
(feature film, 1993)
"No Holds Barred"
(feature film, 1988)
"Nursery Crymes"
(feature film, 1981)
"Paper Moon"
(feature film, 1973)
"The Parade"
(television, 1983)
"Picnic"
(feature film, 1956)
"Prime Cut"
(feature film, 1972)
"Reunion"
(feature film, 1987)
"Rooster"
(feature film, 1976)
"Sarah, Plain & Tall"
(television, 1990)
"Skylark (Sarah II)"
(television, 1992)
"Sometimes They Come Back"
(television, 1990)
"Student Body"
(feature film, 1978)
"They've Taken Our Children:
The Chowchilla Kidnapping"
(television, 1972)
"Truman"
(television, 1995)
"Twister"
(feature film, 1988)
"Up the Academy"
(feature film, 1980)
"Wait 'til the Sun Shines, Nellie"
(feature film, 1952)
"Where Pigeons Go To Die"
(television, 1989)
love these areas," he said. "It's rare for them to see a downtown so strong. It blows their minds. It's a real comfortable setting for those who come in."
Lawrence has not been able to accommodate large film crews in recent years. It's because of the heavy visitor traffic during the KU football and basketball seasons.
think a lot of these people
Billings said two new
"That's been our stumbling block so far," Billings said. Billings said two new
hotels were being built in Lawrence and she hoped they would lead to more film business.
Billings said getting Lawrence on the big screen is great for the city.
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"People still say something about 'The Day After' when they hear me mention Lawrence, Kansas," she said.