Cartoon Network’s “Neverfail” Filming in Decatur
Decatur Metro | September 1, 2010 | 9:53 am
Cartoon Network has been filming parts of its new movie “Neverfail” around the city of Decatur the last couple days. The city’s Katie Abel confirms that it is still Cartoon Network who’s filming, though it seems that the name of the movie has changed.
I can confirm this is still the film production company, Alive and Kicking. They are shooting a film to be shopped to Cartoon Network called Lords of Bad Axe- some kind of live action teen film with some computer generated scenes as well. If all goes according to plan, today will be their last day in Decatur.
Rachel sent in the first pic of filming action on East Howard Avenue yesterday around 4pm. Marla sent in the second pic of Greene’s having been converted into “Daventry Hills City Hall”.
InDecatur notes an open casting call for extras of posted on Facebook for today’s filming…
For Wednesday 9/1 we are looking for several folks for “Neverfail” all day in Decatur, we need several men and women 18 – 25 a few in their 30’s and 40’s some to be business types, a few in their 60’s, two people that are very experienced cyclists with their own bikes and a mom with a stroller. All interested email recent photo all contact info and color and make of car to: [email protected] ASAP
Good luck finding someone with a bike or a stroller in Decatur! Har har.
Saw it last night when I went to Dairy Queen. The building opposite Farmstead (is it a pet grooming place or vacant?) had been turned into an Italian restaurant complete with a neon leaning tower of Pisa and neon “PIZZA” sign.
The pet place is the former home of Village Vets, now on McDonough St.
Will be so glad when they are gone. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been stopped and U-turned because they didn’t bother to put up any signs denoting closed roads. This is frustrating, especially on one-way roads! Decatur police have just been following the crew around stopping traffic randomly. So glad today is their last day!
Even though the closed roads may be annoying, keep in mind that thousands of dollars are being spent by the production company, cast and crew while they are here in Decatur. I’m a local video producer and do not work on movies, but the fact that productions like this keep coming to Decatur is a very good thing.
I agree with Jon, to a diferent degree, however….the revenue is great but there is a nice feeling I have felt in seeing my hometown represented in film…I remember how it was seeing Decatur in some scenes of Zombieland, and I think it’s a good thing that the movie industry has an interest in our “small town in the big city” vibe. Kudos to ALL of us, really! It says a lot about our community that the industry wants to come back. We’re doing something right!
Only thing was that I was misinformed on the effect it would have on my businesses. Had to close Feast by 7:30 due to no one being able to get to me. Lost lot’s of revenue in addition to my staff leaving with zero money. Hopefully, they will compensate me?
I think the perception that they spend lots of money at a “local location” is mislaid. In other words, they are paying the city for a permit and they are paying nominal fees to the property owners where they are shooting but they aren’t really spending money on much else in Decatur. Their food is all catered, they aren’t renting office space or studio space, some of the crew may live in Decatur but not likely many of them, they don’t hang out in the bars and restaurants after work. Local, meaning Atlanta based, art departments, grips, camera, electrics and office crews spend money near their shops. Meanwhile trucks and equipment often do more property damage than they pay for and they disrupt normal business activity.
I worked on feature films and commercials for a while, often on remote location. In that case we would rent an entire motel for crew beds and office space, rent warehouse space for studio and construction shops, buy construction, office, food and art supplies locally, hire locals for security, rent private homes for the stars to stay in and go to restaurants and bars in our time off. The difference is substantial.
Movies shooting here are still good for the overall local economy though. There’s a grip shop up by the farmer’s market that is probably doing business with them. And I understand that this crew bought out Greene’s entire fudge inventory yesterday. So that’s something.
As a Decatur resident and a member of this film crew I can assure you that much money and good will was spent on our City. Ask Twains, Fellinis, Kudzu, or any of the other local businesses that directly benefited. We also had offices and soundstages at an industrial location in South Dekalb. Much of our crew was from the local area and we also employed city and county police at a very fair rate. Many local property owners were paid for parking and logistical support, as well as for actual filming.
I understand that film production can be an inconvenience to some of those most directly affected but not any more than street repairs or similar construction and we generally offer some compensation.
Production in Metro Atlanta is a booming business and I, for one, am very glad. Maybe if I am able to keep making the payments on my Decatur home, shopping at YDFM and other local businesses, and paying taxes, the millions of dollars spent on a film will find their way to the benefit of the community at large.
Just a quick 2 cents…