Board OKs permit for 'Transformers 3'
Film crew shooting on Majestic Star property April 12; set closed to public
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April 1, 2010
BY JON SEIDEL, (219) 648-3068
GARY -- Filmmakers getting ready to shoot a scene for "Transformers 3" in Gary are keeping some details of their project under wraps.
The city's Board of Public Works and Safety approved a filming permit for the movie at its meeting Wednesday.
Controller Celita Green said filming will take place April 12 on industrial property owned by Majestic Star Casino at Buffington Harbor.
The scene will be shot during daylight hours, Green said, and will involve a crew of about 60 people. Al Cohn, the film's location manager, said the set will be closed to the public.
Cohn also said he'd prefer not to provide the board with a copy of the agreement between the filmmakers and Majestic Star, offering a letter from the casino instead.
"My preference would be, you know, to keep it off the public record," Cohn said of the agreement.
However, Green said the movie crew will shoot a "rather simple scene" portraying vehicles approaching the industrial property. The scene is meant to take place in Ukraine.
Filmmakers paid the city $550 in filming fees.
Larry Buck, Majestic Star's general manager, said the movie crew will film at the former Lehigh cement plant on his company's property.
He also said he's been asked several logistical questions about the shoot, including where the crew will eat and sleep.
"Given our business, I think we can accommodate a lot of their needs," Buck said.
"Transformers 3" is the latest installment in a movie franchise about alien robots that transform into vehicles.
"It's a robotic battle where the good guys win," Cohn said.
None of the principal stars of the movie, including John Malkovich, Frances McDormand, Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, is expected to be on the set.
However, Cohn wouldn't rule out further scenes being filmed in Gary in the future.
"If we do, it will probably be more with the principal unit," Cohn said.
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