Oct 12, 2012
(October 9th, 2012) A brand new airport, a legendary art deco train terminal, and array of other choice location assets allowed Buffalo and Niagara Falls to represent New York City, paved the way for over a month of local production with werewolf thriller feature “Ward’s Island”. Outside of some key positions and celebrity talent, “Ward’s Island” featured over 200 extras and a crew base that capitalized on paid talent entirely from Western New York. Look for Ward’s Island on a screen near you in Spring of 2012.
WIVB Coverage at this link: http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/buffalo/werewolf-movie-being-shot-in-buffalo
Jul 27, 2012
(July, 27th, 2012) She’s been described by Horror Movie Magazine Fangoria as the “First Lady of Fear”, but upon her entry to Buffalo City limits this month legendary horror actress Debbie Rochon takes on the role of director with feature film “Model Hunger”. July 10th saw shooting for “Model Hunger” begin at locations in and around the City of Buffalo for what Rochon describes to Fangoria as a “self-aware horror film ”that depicts what can happen when the (modeling) industry pushes one woman too far…”. Buffalo was chosen as the primary location thanks to the efforts of award winning horror author/producer/director and Buffalo resident Greg Lamberson, who shot his feature film “Slime City Massacre” in Buffalo back in 2009. Lamberson takes on the line producer role in Model Hunger. Production wraps up in Buffalo at the end of the July.
(Photo- On the set of Model Hunger- Top Right Frame- McCarthy Park Cheerleader Scene, Top Left Frame – Director Debbie Rochon (Center) sets up a shot with actress Bette Cossette(left) and actor Robert Bozek(right), ;Shooting in downtown Buffalo for a News Report Scene.)
Apr 15, 2012
(Kameron Wood in fur hat on set with cast and crew of “The Wake Up”)
(April 15th, 2012) Along with supporting larger projects like feature films and network television production in Western New York, the Buffalo Niagara Film Office alsolends it support to the future of the our industry as with Buffalo Native Kameron Wood and his short film project “The Wake Up”. Mr. Wood embarked on an ambitious project for his student film at SUNY/Purchase, shot on 16 Milimeter film with a Bolex Camera, using various locations in the Ferry/Main area of Buffalo’s Masten District. Mr. Wood’s project is not only a student film, it also message for the entire Buffalo community hoping to inspire social change.
“The Wake Up” is the story of one man who witnesses tragedy and other negative changes around him and comes to the realization that positive social change in his environment has to start within himself” said Wood. “The Wake Up” is set for a summer 2012 release and will be shown in community centers and churches throughout the Buffalo community.
Mar 28, 2012
(March 28th, 2012) Many Buffalo Niagara Regions location assets are included in a category that we at the Film Office like to call “The Big Stuff”.
One of the mostprominent members of “The Big Stuff” category is The Buffalo Central Terminal. The terminal has seen better days, yet is mounting a comeback under the stewardship of The Buffalo Central Terminal Restoration Corporation who are in the process of bringing this legendary assett back to life initially with events that have created awareness of this legendary location, and a long term masterplan dedicated to sustainable reuse.
According to the Buffalo Central Terminal Restoration Corporation “The Buffalo Central Terminal opened to the public on June 22, 1929. Built by the New York Central Railroad and designed by architects Alfred T. Fellheimer & Steward Wagner, the art deco style station was built to accommodate up to 3200 passengers per hour, or 200 trains per day. The complex consists of the main concourse, a 17 story office tower, a four story baggage building and two story mail building along Curtiss Street, and the now detached train concourse. The complex sits on a 17 acre site 2.5 miles east of downtown Buffalo.”
As far as a production location, from it’s presence in “The Natural” with Robert Redford, to later day horror movies like “Prison of the Psychotic Damned”, The Central Terminal has had a presence in many including* :
- Route 66 (TV series) 1960-1964.
- Best Friends. 1982.
- Vamping (film). April 1983.
- The Natural. August 1983.
- Prison of the Psychotic Damned – 2005
- The station is featured in the September 24, 2008 episode of Ghost Hunters.
- The station is featured in the December 2, 2009 episode of Ghost Hunters Academy.
- The station was featured on Ghost Hunters Live Halloween special on October 31, 2010.
- The station is featured in the June 27, 2011 Buffalo episode of Off Limits (TV series).
* from wikipedia
Some famous still photographs featuring the Terminal:
- World renowned photographer Spencer Tunick shot 1,826 naked Buffalonians for his “Central Terminal” Project.
- Robbie Robertson’s first solo album prominently features the Terminal’s platform’s on it’s cover.
For the most recent scout photos of the Buffalo Central Terminal shot by the Buffalo Niagara Film Office (click here)
Feb 9, 2012
(February 26th, 2012) A great night for Buffalo Niagara at the Oscars as “The Artist” took awards for Best Picture, Actor, Director, Original Score, and Costume which went specifically to Niagara Falls Native Mark Bridges (pictured on left), a 1978 Graduate of LaSalle High School who gave a Niagara Falls shout out on national television.
Along with Producer Harvey Weinstein who started his movie career in Buffalo, another Western New York native that played an integral part on the legal side of “The Artist” is Lewiston native David Albert Pierce (pictured on right).
David is managing partner of a six attorney law firm that served as U.S. counsel for La Petite Rein (the production entity) for “The Artist”. In this role the Pierce Law Group, LLP were responsible for negotiating and drafting all of the contracts with the American talent and crew, as well as, the location agreements and negotiating with all of the trade unions on behalf of the production company.
Congratulations Mark, David, and Harvey!
Jan 11, 2012
(January 11th, 2012) Director John Dolan was in Buffalo recently shooting footage for a new national TV campaign. With a career spawned in theatre and short film,he’sestablished a unique position in commercial production directing high profile yet edgy creative for clients such as BMW, ESPN, and Volkswagon.
John took time out to give the Buffalo Film Office some feedback following his Buffalo shoot.
Your impression of Buffalo and the locations you chose?
I Loved Buffalo. It reminds me a bit of St. Paul, the city where I was born. There are some great locations there with real character. I especially like the street (Allen Street) where we shot. Great neighborhood with some real characters.”
You used an Arri Alexa to shoot your footage, why? Impressions of this camera? New features that you find useful?
The Alexa is incredible, especially in low light. I shoot almost everything now with it. Technically it produces a flawless image, but more importantly I like the texture and feel of the image. There’s an X-factor that distinguishes it from other digital camera systems. I suppose it looks more like film, which is a good thing.
Advice for aspiring Film Makers?
You don’t have to have great gear to make an inspired film. The best film’s, whether they’re commercials, features, etc. are about great concepts and ideas. About great acting. Concentrate more on the ideas, the writing, than on the technique. Audiences will forgive technique, but they won’t forgive tired or uninspired ideas. Or bad acting.
What inspires you as a Director?
Books. Art. Exercise. Nature. Travel. People. Lot’s of things.
