Lots of filming going on around town

I was waylaid, yes, I said waylaid, at another commercial shoot today. It was for ITT at Lulu's, right on Commodore Plaza and Main Highway.

The Grove is a great backdrop for many commercial shoots. Have you seen this BB&T commercial shot in the same location a few months back? It's all over tv.

Last Friday, Burn Notice had this huge production set up at the Seminole Boat Ramp. They lit up the night sky like nobody's business. It was so bright that a friend told me a funny story, she arrived home with her husband about 9 pm, opened the door to their condo at one of the buildings across from the shoot and it looked as if the Martians had landed. It was a flood of white light. They were a bit frightened at first until they realized what was going on. It was right out of Close Encounters of the Third Kind.


She feels it would have been a good idea for the production company to warn the neighbors about this, but it's all in good fun, since it's Burn Notice. They got a good laugh out of it and she shows lots of photos taken on her iPhone of the freaky white light.

A business owner here in the Grove suggested that the film office or whomever is giving permits out these days, publicize the filming schedules of all commericals, tv shows and movies. It's a great way to draw in tourists.

I receive the schedules but I don't publish them, the production companies don't like audiences lingering around the outdoors sets, but once in awhile if you pay attention, I'll spill the beans on a Burn Notice shoot. In fact, coming up soon is their season finale shoot which will be a major event. It will involve repelling buildings and things like that. We may or may not spill the beans. Come back for more.

There are blogs and websites in LA and NY that actually list the shooting locations of all productions. That would be a cool thing to have here. Maybe the Film Office can set one up like On Location Vacations does.