GASTONIA, N.C.,None — Gaston County has been no stranger to the big screen in recent years, as local settings have been used in a number of different film productions.
On Sunday morning, downtown Gastonia will get a little time to shine, when a crew from the Showtime television network shoots scenes on Main Avenue for an upcoming psychological thriller.
"From 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., they will use Main Avenue for what looks like a small-town, Americana parade," said Gastonia City Manager Jim Palenick. "We will be compensated for it. We'll also get a lot of publicity for it."
Set to air this fall, "Homeland" is a series about Sgt. Scott Brody, a U.S. Marine who was presumed dead as a prisoner of war in Iraq. After eight years in confinement, Brody is rescued and returns home as a hero to his wife and children, his community and his country.
But CIA agent Carrie Anderson becomes convinced that Brody is connected to an al-Qaeda attack on American soil. The suspense builds as she tries to determine whether the venerated POW is hiding sinister intentions.
The series, with multiple one-hour episodes, will have star power. Brody is played by British actor Damian Lewis, known for his role in the HBO series "Band of Brothers," among other things. Anderson is portrayed by Emmy Award-winner Claire Danes, while Tony Award-winner Mandy Patinkin also stars.
Since January, much of the filming has taken place in Charlotte. Producers chose the Queen City because the architecture of its South Park region is similar to that of suburban Virginia, where the series takes place, and because the uptown area resembles parts of Washington, D.C.
The scenes that are shot in Gastonia on Sunday won't make it into the actual show. But they will be used in a promotional commercial that will air heavily on Showtime in an attempt to build anticipation for the new series.
Luke Barrow, an independent film contractor in Raleigh, is helping to oversee the project with a production company out of Santa Monica, Calif., that will shoot the commercial. The scenes to be shot here will most likely be used in a sort of "welcome home" parade for Brody to indicate his happy return and warm reception, he said.
"This is a whole separate crew from top to bottom that's dealing with this TV commercial," said Barrow. "Overall, it will actually be pretty small compared to what's going on with the whole series."
But Palenick said he was told the event will bring upward of 200 to 300 people here, including film crew members and extras. The production company will rent out the former Downtown Dino's building on South Street, owned by Charlie Gunn, as a catered hospitality site for everyone involved. They will also use the inside of the building at 212 W. Main Ave., for interior staging.
Main Avenue will technically become a closed set, and spectators are expected, though too many may become a problem, Barrow said.
"(Sunday morning) was really the only time we could get a couple of blocks closed off to shoot," he said. "There's a public sidewalk there and we can't demand that people stay away, but we'll have a lot going on with equipment and extras, and it would be best if we don't have too large a crowd."
Two blocks of Main Avenue will be closed to traffic, between Marietta and Chester streets. The northernmost portion of South Street will be blocked off, as well as the two parking lots that flank the Rotary Centennial Pavilion.
The city is being paid a $2,500 stipend for allowing the use of downtown, Palenick said. Beyond that, the production company is paying local police officers to provide off-duty security. Officers who end up appearing in the parade scenes will be paid according to the union scale for actors, Palenick said.
"They're basically paying for any services they receive," he said.
The city was first contacted about the film shoot Monday. Should "Homeland" become a hit and be picked up for additional seasons, there's reason to believe Gastonia and Gaston County could get more opportunities in front of the lens, Palenick said.
"We welcome this type of thing," he said. "It's good business."
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