SFist: What's Going On Here, Film Crew?

bluecanary

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:03:13 -0800

I'm more shocked that someone admitted to going to Teatro Zinzani.

telesle

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:36:13 -0800

The Merc published an article about the production earlier this week (disclosure: I was one of the reporters--triple byline for 600 words?). They were in North Beach last week, San Jose for interiors at the city hall rotunda, then back to SF this week. Last week the producers were completely excited about getting coverage, but when we showed up, everything was on lockdown. They were difficult in pretty much every respect--especially photos, which was the main reason I went to the set. It seemed like they were trying to manufacture an aura of mystery and exclusivity. But really they just came across as annoying and kind of bush league. There go my chances for a follow-up.

30xMarina

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:54:10 -0800

*is irrelevant

30xMarina

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:52:34 -0800

The point you make could be valid, except that the specifically said, "We didn't cast Indian extras, because we are in San Francisco." Had they said something about not having registered Indian's to choose from, I probabaly wouldn't care. On that note, I think your point it irrelevant.

Girl86

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:09:43 -0800

Here's part of the problem as far as extras go: let's say that there are only 200 signed up with the agency who is assigned to casting the extras. Out of those 200, only 60 can actually commit to a certain day of filming (extra work up here is a side job, so people have to take into account their other work schedules too) and 10 of those have no interest in being in a Bollywood film for whatever reason (maybe they're afraid of having to be in one of the many song-and-dance numbers). From those 50 let's say that they only want 20 women and 15 men (because the 5 stars are all male and they want an even number of men and women) and they can't use Mr. X or Ms. Y because they were accidentally too identifiable in the last filmed scene for it to make sense for them to be in the scene being filmed that day. That gives you a very limited pool of people to use. It's not so easy to procure the ethnic diversity that you demand.

30xMarina

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:37:30 -0800

Just to clarify, I don't mind the singing and dancing, in fact I think it makes it that much better, especially when the songs are good =). But I do have a problem with someone telling me, of Indian background, that there are no Indian extras because this is San Francisco. Sheesh.

dantsea

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:14:35 -0800

I would like to add to the sentiments voiced by the frustrated poster above. I have a major problem with the way Bollywood films inaccurately depict people breaking into tightly choreographed song and dance numbers as if it were a perfectly normal thing to happen in every day life. I think we should maybe pool our resources and write a letter of complaint to the Film Commission for Truthitude.

30xMarina

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:28:56 -0800

I'm not sure what the right forum is for this, but I have something on my mind that I need to share. Having been a loyal fan on the Indian movie industry for the past 25 years, yesterday night I fell upon what I thought would be one of the greatest moments of my life, only to walk away thoroughly disappointed and offended. Although I was born in the US, I am still very fond of India, and as I mentioned before, an avid bollywood movie watcher. So yesterday night, as I walked home from Teatro Zinzani, I happened to walk onto the set of a movie starring Saif Ali Khan. Imagine how exited I must have been to a) watch the filming process ( I was hoping for the item number) b) ask to be an extra in the movie. As I looked around, I noticed that there were no Indians, South Asians, or even Asians playing any kind of extra. So being the inquisitive type, I naturally asked, “Where are all the Indian extras in this movie?” and was received with a reply “We didn’t cast any India extras, because we are in San Francisco.” That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. There are tons of Indians living in the US, let alone San Francisco. In fact, I live in this city, and didn’t you run into me and my friend (or we run into you…)? South Asians are everywhere in this city, and to make a statement like that is just sickening. That is not an accurate depiction of San Francisco, which happens to be a very multi-cultural city, unless you are in the Marina (which you weren’t). Plus if you are trying to accurately depict San Francisco, here are some stats that should have been taken into consideration. I must have seen approximately 15 extras whom were standing outside Fog City Diner. Of those 15 extras, there were 13 white people, 1 African American person, and 1 Hispanic… According to the census bureau, 32% of the population of San Francisco is Asian, that would mean 4.8 or approximately 5 out of the 15 should be some kind of Asian. If we assume only 20% of “Asians” are Indian, or of Indian decent, then 1 of those 15 should have been Indian. I hope that you help bring this to people’s attention. You might not think it’s a big deal, but for a bollywood loyalist like me, its naïve for the director of this upcoming film to think that only non-Indians live in San Francisco, especially when we contribute so much to movie ticket sales, or that there is no chance of anyone running into a South Asian, when 1 out of every 3 people living in San Francisco is at least Asian.

dantsea

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:36:41 -0800

Like I said to one of the Milk lackeys when they were filming, if they want a closed set they shouldn't be shooting on location.

RinconHillSF

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:16:31 -0800

What, neighborhood folks aren't making noise because they've lost a couple of parking spots for a couple of days? Amazing. Maybe we can attract more movie productions here, which would help film industry pros who still exist in the City along with other businesses (catering!), and would maybe even encourage more tourism ..... that'd be a net good thing. Film away .... though the whole "no pictures" just kinda makes you want to take pictures, doesn't it? And then post them on the INternets ... shame they won't tell the name of the film, it'd be some free publicity.

Girl86

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:16:14 -0800

We're probably going to hear more about Saif in the future because of his upcoming Disney movie (which looks cute by the way): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwxuKY24edU

auweia1

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:20:15 -0800

Hey since you mentioned Rent, I have a unique view of that never posted before. http://www.bluoz.com/blog/index.php?/archives/444-Rent-on-6th.html As far as I know, movie crews have to get a permit to close any part of a public street for a certain time. If you're outside that zone, they can't tell you not to take photos. Next time it happens, get them on video making the demands

superkat

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:02:44 -0800

I saw this same group a few weeks back, behind the Metreon. I recognize Saif Ali Khan (I looked him up), and he was very busy texting on his phone. He's very slick looking. People were passing by, some taking pictures, and I didn't see any request to not take pictures. There were even kids running around that were not part of the set/shoot (my son included) and nobody seemed to mind.

treading water

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:49:52 -0800

Someone I know who is a big Bollywood fan said that some actor named Saif Ali Khan is in town filming a movie. I have no idea who he is or what relevance he has in Indian cinema. None the less, with the dollar in the tank its likely we'll see more stuff filmed in the City. Vancouver has become too expensive.

bluecanary

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:46:10 -0800

Haven't seen the crew but a couple of weeks ago notices re this movie went up all over my street.

hudu

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:40:11 -0800

It looked like there was a small crew down on Spear and Harrison yesterday afternoon, too. It didn't look like a movie crew, it was only a few people. I snapped a picture of somebody shooting something up on California and Kearney last Friday with no threats or anything. It seems like there has been a lot more production going on around town lately.

Generic

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:02:20 -0800

Jesus, that pisses me off.

auweia1

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:58:20 -0800

they can't do that on a public. better to get them on video making those demands. And they said that on the set of Rent too. That's funny, I have a bunch of photos and video from my neighbors room overlooking the production on 6th..I ought to find those just because

Girl86

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:57:37 -0800

All I know is that they went through SF Casting to get extras and that they've been here for at least a week. They did another Bollywood film in SF about 6 mos to a year back, so maybe it's a sequel or SF is the new Bombay.