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Published Tuesday, January 27, 2009 in Local

Two movies to be filmed in Newnan

By Elizabeth Richardson

The Times-Herald

Newnan City Council approved requests from two production companies Tuesday evening to film scenes for major motion pictures in the city.

Norm Bielowisz, the assistant location manager for Sony Pictures' Zombieland Productions, updated council on progress made in preparation for filming scenes for the horror-comedy "Zombieland" -- starring Woody Harrelson -- on March 29 in downtown Newnan.

"We're on a good track here," reported Bielowisz. He added that he's already talked to the churches that would be impacted on the day of filming and they are "pretty happy with plans so far." Bielowisz said that they're continuing talks with merchants, and they, too, seem to be "on board" with necessary road closures.

Before approving the request to film at three locations in Newnan, council had asked to see the specifics of the detours.

The biggest road closure would take place downtown near the Court Square. Filming would primarily take place on Greenville Street from Spring Street to the Court Square. Additionally, filming will take place at a home on Wilcoxon Street that will require a brief road closure but still allow access to Wilcoxon residents. The third filming location will be on LaGrange Street at the railroad overpass as the film's main characters exit the city. This scene will only momentarily impede traffic on LaGrange Street, according to Bielowisz.

Chief Douglas L. "Buster" Meadows recommended that Zombieland Productions use certified police officers at each of the four major points of the Court Square detour, and Bielowisz was agreeable to the suggestion.

Bielowisz told council he still has to obtain permission to close traffic on Greenville Street because it is a state highway. He believes the state may insist on pulling the detour back during filming from Spring Street to Salbide Avenue for safety reasons.

"I want to go on the record saying just how helpful folks in Newnan have been to this point," said Bielowisz, after council unanimously approved his request to film in Newnan. He added that this has been a pleasant experience for him.

Council also approved a request from Get Low Productions to film scenes in Newnan for an upcoming movie set in the 1930s starring Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek and Bill Murray.

The representative for Get Low, Carrie L.A., obtained permission to film at 19 Temple Ave., the home of Gandy Glover, Feb. 2-5. The Queen Ann home has been featured in other productions, including the television drama series "October Road." Get Low also plans to film in north Coweta County at Oak Grove Plantation, 4537 U.S. 29, the home of Liz and George Tedder, on Feb. 12-13.

During council's executive session, L.A. met with Chief Meadows and arranged street closures/detours that were agreeable to the city. During filming, there will be stop and go traffic with detours set up at College Street/Temple Avenue and Temple Avenue/Jackson Street. There will also be a barricade on Kellogg Street just south of the entrance to Maggie Brown, with access remaining for area residents.

Set preparation on "Get Low" is scheduled to begin immediately.

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