Hollywood nods to the Adirondacks
My son Nicholas and I went to see “The Adjustment Bureau” last night, the new Matt Damon flick based very loosely on one of Phillip K. Dick’s sci-fi stories.
The story centers around a US Senate candidate from New York and in one scene Damon is shown campaigning on a farm in a rural part of the state that’s described as “the Tri-Lakes.”
I know it’s goofy, but we got a kick out of it.
I don’t know where that scene was shot, but it would be great to see if we could get more filmmakers to work in the North Country. We certainly have the scenery for it.
“Frozen River,” the 2008 film shot along the St. Lawrence River proved that our landscape can captivate audiences.
In 2004 (I believe it was) Damon was at Great Camp Sagamore, near Raquette Lake, to film another movie, “The Good Shepherd.”
Beyond the cool-factor, it seems like this kind of exposure could really boost the region as a destination.
Tags: adirondacks
“The Horse Whisperer” partly filmed in Hadley, too bad it was such a smarmy movie. More?
@knuckleheadedliberal —
“The Sopranos” — I think. One of the characters has a summer home in the southern Adirondacks. Lake George perhaps?
Not sure if they actually film there, though.
Good luck attracting Hollywood. They made the movie of the Leatherstocking Tales in the Carolinas because the producers though that looked more like the location of the book (NY) than NY does. NYC seems to get their attention but the Adirondacks as a location? Don’t hold your breath.
Add “Cold River” to a movie filmed in the Adirondacks.
When you see what is happening with the arts in the Adirondacks, there is reason to hope and believe tourism can be greatly enhanced through the arts.
This brings to mind an article I read several years ago in Adirondack Life magazine about a small business owner who works with fashion magazines, movie production companies, advertising agencies, etc. to find locations in the Adirondack’s for their various projects. I seem to recall he is the gentleman who arranged for the filming of the footage in “The Good Sheppard” to be done at the Great Camp Sagamore in Raquette Lake. It was an interesting article and seemed to indicate that there’s great interest in finding suck locations as his business seemed quite successful. I believe he’s also a guide in the Tri-Lakes area as well.
If Clapton…,
I believe the fellow you’re referring to is Joe Hackett of Ray Brook; I think he’s developed a bit of a reputation for Adirondack location-seekers.
It never hurts, too, that the lakes hereabouts have some of the movers and shakers in a number of different areas. Sometimes networking at that level brings business to the region.
Peter,
Thanks for the clarification. That sounds like him. I should mention that he also has a knack for finding authentic props and such for the photo’s, film, etc. used by his clients. I seem to recall he was able to find an old boat or some such thing that was used in a Sports Illustrated spread. I gathered from the article that it’s one reason he’s hired by these companies. Not only his knowledge of locations in the Park, but the ability to get authentic props for the photo shoots. Sound like an interesting gig.
It is absolutely not goofy! When I’m driving in New Jersey for work, or anywhere other than the Adirondacks for that matter, and see an ADK sticker I get excited.
The Adirondacks, and upstate New York would be perfect for filmmakers to shoot. The scenery is amazing, plus it would be great for job growth.
The state heavily subisdizes film production. Unfortunately, the Adirondacks have seen little benefit from those subsidies as most state films are shot in NYC. The Adirondacks are simply too remote for most film producers and most films take place in urban or suburban settings anyways. If you’re going to have many films in the Adirondacks, they’ll probably be local independent film makers and not the big firms.
So sorry about the Sopranos. I think the lake was in Rockaway, NJ.
To scratchy’s point…we don’t need no stinkin’ Hollywood. We’ve got people here who are working filmmakers and videographers.
Colin Bannon from Glens Falls made a feature film “Love Conquers Paul” for one.
Glens Falls is in fact a hotbed for young actors and moviemakers.
Young actress Charlotte Pines http://www.charlottepines.com
The Ravacon Collective, Nice Guys Productions…
Finally, check out this link to the Lake George Arts Project/People’s Pixel Project–a local short video festival. Follow the link and click on some of the blue highlighted titles for links to videos made within 100 miles of Lake George.
http://www.lakegeorgearts.org/Peoples%20Pixel%20Project.htm
Thanks for the links, Knuckleheaded….
It’s great Lake George and Glens Falls are getting some attention. However, haven’t they always been popular with the city crowd? I mean wouldn’t it be nice if this popularity would spread to other, more northern areas of the Park and North Country?
Don’t forget that Toby in West Wing said he had a house on the Hudson – in Essex County. Which would put him in Minerva or Newcomb. Advising George Cannon?
At the risk of being a film geek”:
“Miracle” with Kurt Russell (filmed in Canada) about the Miracle on Ice at the 1980 Olympics–What Lake Placid isn’t good enough?
“The Sweet Hereafter” Russell Banks, again filmed in British Columbia, and Atom Egoyan apparently believes that his film location looks like the ADKs. Loser.
Sigourney Weaver has a home in the Park. And if you have to pick just one star to claim as an Adirondacker she is it. She could kick Bigfoot’s butt And she’s hot.
Veronica Lake vacationed often in the Lake Luzerne area. Again, hot babe.
In an Underdog episode Simon Barr-Sinister created a machine to put all the lakes in the world into little bottles and Lake George was mentioned prominently. Underdog, not hot babe.
“lake Placid” which was actually about alligators in a lake in Florida!! Idiots!
Of course Russell Banks, writer and screenwriter. (Not hot babe)
Lake Placid is littered with film or TV connections. “sit Ubu sit” and get a nice ale as a treat.
Seems like there was a movie made about a turn of the 20th century murder where a guy took his pregnant wife out in a rowboat (guide boat?) on a lake in the SW ADK’s and came back alone.
But filming in the ADKs is a different story. Too difficult logistically and the weather is uncooperative.