RUMFORD, Maine — Anxiety over the unknown led selectmen Thursday night to unanimously reject a request from a Los Angeles filmmaker/actor to close a few side streets later this month for filming.
Neither Gavin Peretti nor anyone representing him came to the meeting, as requested, to provide the board with details, Town Manager Carlo Puiia said.
Peretti sent the town an email on Nov. 26, saying his crew would be shooting the film “all over the area from Rangeley to Jackman” and wanted permission to close a few streets for a day in Rumford.
He said the date would likely be between Dec. 14 and 20. The crew would also shoot footage at a private residence in Rumford on another day, but Peretti said that wouldn’t affect the public.
Peretti provided the premise of his movie, “The Guide,” saying it is about a hunting guide who takes a couple of rich New York stockbrokers on a deer hunt.
“Trouble is, he is slowly coming unhinged and begins to think that the two men are the drug dealers that is messing with his daughter,” Peretti said. “He then begins to hunt them.”
After Selectman Brad Adley motioned to approve the request and Selectman Jolene Lovejoy seconded, for discussion only, Selectman Chairman Greg Buccina suggested tabling the matter until Peretti or a representative could provide details.
However, Selectman Jeff Sterling said the board doesn’t meet again until Dec. 20.
Lovejoy suggested giving Puiia and police Chief Stacy Carter the authority to handle the matter.
Carter, however, said he is concerned about residents on the unknown streets and how closing the streets would affect them.
Resident Kevin Saisi objected to the film’s premise, speculating that because it involves drugs, it might put Rumford in a bad light.
For that reasoning and the possibility that the filmmaker could have the protagonist gunning for the two stockbrokers on a Rumford street, Buccina said he would not support the motion.
It’s this sort of thinking that is responsible for Rumford being what it is – an economically depressed town completely reliant on a single, dying business for it’s survival.
Rumford is the next Millinocket
Or is Millinocket the next Rumford?…….or is……….ehh, they’re interchangeable.
Great Idea Rumford… shut em down… Show them who is BOSS… and watch the money drive away!
We’re closing the street you live on for three days. You won’t be able to come and go from your house at all during daylight hours. But other people will be making money so you just have to suck it up.
The streets would have been closed to through traffic, that’s all. The actual amount of time nobody would be allowed to use the street would have been mere minutes, considering that most time spent filming a scene is really spent setting up the camera, adjusting the lighting, and moving things around for different angles.
Doesn’t work that way, but thank you for not having the slightest idea of what you’re talking about! :)
Yes, because that extra 5 minutes to drive around would have been such a hassle. And god forbid that someone somewhere other than me make money. Oh the nerve of them.
And by all means, let the movie industry know that filming here is difficult. THAT will help.
Sucking on too many IP steam farts. Rumford fails.
Good point not to allow filming.
The film may tarnish Rumfords “glorious”image.
Why not a heartwarming story about the invention of earmuffs?
It would be great for all ages.
After all , weren’t earmuffs invented there?
That would make Rumford famous.
Sorry Red, Farmington has the earmuff claim to fame
Actually, the invention of earmuffs was credited to Chester Greenwood of Farmington.
Ok, so maybe some one beat Rumford to the punch on inventing earmuffs.
But there must be something of note to celebrate in Rumford?
Isn’t there a papermill there? Or an old building or something?
Ed Muskie was invented in Rumford.
The KKK started its first Maine chapter in Rumford
I do not blame them for not closing the side streets, why, that might have involved one or maybe two cars, and if some woman could not get to her hair appointment the whole town might have been sued, good call Rumford, you are all on the old bean, they do not pull any wool over your eyes.
By all means don’t do anything that could bring some cash into the town.
Not to mention cash down the road. A little notoriety couldn’t hurt the tourism industry in town.
Yeah, good call…and then when they film in some other state, but still have the story based in Maine, people will complain about that. Not a smart move, Rumford.
very fitting for maine with all the drug dealing and the murders going on here in maine might give some people ideas
“Trouble is, he is slowly coming unhinged and begins to think that the two men are the drug dealers that is messing with his daughter,” Peretti said.
If that is a direct quote, then the selectmen were wise to table the matter. Why? Because Peretti’s background should be checked first. No reputable filmmaker or actor would (or should) have such a poor command of English.
Luckily there is a place you can go to investigate someone’s background, and it is the internet. You could have spent literally 30 seconds finding these links:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1450944/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQXKi5SeihQ
There are lots of reasons a quote like that one might appear. It could be a typo on his part, an artifact of editing the sentence, a speech error, part of nonstandard dialect (which has no bearing on a person’s intelligence or professional competence), or a mistake on the part of the journalist. All of those things happen with credible and non-credible people too. Here’s a nice discussion of how common inaccurate quoting is in the media: http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=4119
I think you probably wrote this post because you were looking for a way to point out what you noticed in the quote, which is harmless enough, but it shows really poor judgement to take that to mean anything about Peretti’s character or legitimacy.
Better read what you just wrote before talking about someone else.
Geez…Someone who wants something sends an e-mail, but can’t be bothered to back it up with representation and/or documentation at a scheduled meeting? It sounds a little high-handed and fishy to me. I’d bet that if a real person had shown up to state their case it might have turned out differently.
I’m glad those of you who are dissing these selectmen and select women aren’t representing me. The town budget would be going to buy swampland in Florida – sight unseen and over the internet! If I lived in Rumford I’d be thanking my town representatives for their due diligence. Two days of filming isn’t going to save a town if it is as bad as you all make it sound. Then again, I’m not sure any of you actually live there. Good luck, Rumford. I’m betting you have a lot more to offer than outsiders know.
High handed and fishy…….right! Someone wants to close some side streets for mere minutes………yeah thats fishy and high handed.
Where in the article does it say the streets would be closed for “mere minutes”? I believe it says a day. The issue is that simply sending an e-mail, and reaching out to the town manager by phone to discuss what is required was really not overly professional on the film companies part.
Maybe they didn’t want to fly across the country to explain to a room full of hillbillies that they merely wanted to restrict traffic to locals-only on a few unused roads so that they can film without getting in the majority of the towns way?
Youre a conspiracy theorist, and if you lived in Rumford I’d actually believe you live in this state…which I dont, so say “hi” to Boston for me.
Rumford = idiots.
Hey lets film a movie in Maine.. NOT!!!
I actually have to agree with the council, because in most cases, a film would have a location director who would be available to if he couldn’t be at the meeting, be available via a phone call to answer questions. There is also an issue of insurance, and in most cases, proof of insurance would have to be part of the application process. And finally, most communities require more than a few weeks for a request of this nature to be approved, as there is normally an application process (not simply an e-mail), that must be submitted, outlining the use of the public street, public service requirements (police, public works, etc). Whoever this filmmaker is, he really doesn’t know what he is doing, so assume it’s a pretty low budget film.
And now for the rest of the story… Several years ago, a community in Vermont had a similar request by an LA film maker to not only shut down a major street, but also to involve the community in a parade scene including the high school marching band. Of course, the community was very excited to be included in a “Hollywood” movie!!! Except, it was a soft porn movie, and these scenes were the filler… So being careful may not be a bad idea, especially if the filmmaker is less than cooperative. Requiring a copy of the script, with a complete outline of what the scene is that is being shot in town is a minor request. How about crowd control…
I know, huh…….the reputation of Rumford could be ruined……..ruined I tell ya!
P.S. – If it IS a soft porn movie…….then the film makers should have contacted Kennebunk.
My point is that there is a process, and the film maker was requested to be available to answer questions. I’m not sure I’d want my town to approve a request like this from just an e-mail. I think a phone call to their city manager could have resolved some of the questions.
Soft porn?
I saw a video of that Zumba Woman in action.
There was nothing “soft” about any of it.
Yeah, how about crowd control? There would not be anything different, crowd control in rumford involves people trying to get into the trash cans on collection day.
My objection would be that it involved stockbrokers…not drug dealers.
What happened to “Maine is open for business?”
Only in Maine…….lol.
Sounds like they were given very little information about the project.
The production company should have made a presentation.
Agreed. ‘Somebody’ should have made an appearance as much of what they want to do requires basic ‘relationship building’. An email was not only inadequate but unprofessional – which does not bode well for a smooth success.
This is 2012, not 1912.
Maybe we should stop acting like we’re super-special
I wouldn’t budge either if someone sent me such a request in an email. The actor could have least used the telephone, or perhaps he’s putting together such a low-budget film that he can’t afford the call.
Filming for even a day in Rumford is too long. Unless it was a zombie movie. Horrible, scary place.
born there, not going back, I’ll stick with MDI
I work on MDI and my father lives next to Rumford (Dixfield). Since I have experienced both scenarios I find myself authorized to tell you that your logic is sound. Carry on. :)
Informed by an e mail? Sounds odd. Why would they agree to shut down streets based on an e mail and nothing else.
Deliverance sequel anyone?
The Game
Rumford; ready, fire, aim! An economically depressed area like this should have been going out of its way to court this endeavor. Do you think the councilmen’s plates were so full that they couldn’t afford the time to pursue the film maker for the proper insurance requirements? Trust me, I know this area intimately and the streets that they wanted to shut down for a few days wouldn’t have made a blip on the radar screen in terms of effecting anything.
Rumford is in a steep, economic decline as well as becoming a haven for transient drug dealers and thugs. The council should have been embracing this kind of exposure and opportunity. It’s mind boggling, really.
Really, you know what streets they wanted to shut down? On what date or dates would this have taken place? And how did you come by this knowledge, since no one else seems to know? If a street or streets are closed off, it most assuredly affects those who live there. I think the selectmen made the right decision, considering the lack of details furnished by the filmmaker.
The point that I was making is that no matter what streets they wanted to shut down, it wouldn’t matter. Kevin Saisi is concerned about putting Rumford in a bad light because the movie has a character on drugs? Hello? Has Mr. Saisi been out and about in Rumford? It’s a junkies dream. Give me a break. How about a little effort on the part of the “city fathers” to bring something into the area that is different and provides at least a bit of culture. They can pick up a phone, I’m sure. They could find the answers to their questions
“Neither Gavin Peretti nor anyone representing him came to the meeting, as requested, to provide the board with details, Town Manager Carlo Puiia said.” So they DID contact the filmmaker, who did not take the time to reply with details. A quick look through stories on the LSJ River Valley section shows a lot of activity on the part of townspeople to bring business and culture into the area. If you have any good ideas about how to help the community, you should forward them at town meetings. I am sure they will be welcomed.
what exactly is a junkie’s dream?
Rumford it seems.
One thing that isn’t mentioned, is was the film maker going to compensate Rumford for the expense of closing the street, providing police coverage and public works costs?
How about the benefits to area business, meals and lodging for cast and crew, fuel for support vehicles and name recognition for the town as a film industry cooperative town. How much would the town have to spend to get these benefits through some hinky little festival or some local chamber of commerce event?
I think that would have been nice, and if the film maker had made any additional effort to follow up with the town, that could have assisted the town with the decision. But lack of response sort of speaks volumes on this exchange.
I’m happy that you were there and have ALL of the details. I appreciate your service!!
Oh…wait….
Did you even read the article cnncomment??? “Neither Gavin Peretti nor anyone representing him came to the meeting, as requested, to provide the board with details, Town Manager Carlo Puiia said.”
CNN is coming to Eastport to film the Great Sardine and Maple Leaf Drop this New Year’s Eve.
“For that reasoning and the possibility that the filmmaker could have the protagonist gunning for the two stockbrokers on a Rumford street, Buccina said he would not support the motion.”
And that is why this beautiful state will continue to be shunned by Hollywood when it comes to location shooting.
meathead
Especially the beautiful town of rumford.
Good move, now you don’t have to take all that filthy hollywood money these production companies throw around.
Yeah, let another town have it.
I really have my doubts this is a large production company… And in the “reel” (yes, pun intended) world, a production or location director would have reached out to the town with more than an e-mail, and been available to answer questions. There’s a lot more to doing location scouting to just saying “oh, Rumford Maine… we should spend a day shooting scenes there…” Every location requires in most cases, permission, a contract, and/or agreement to film. If it is a low budget production and not reimbursement to the town is planned, that should at least be communicated to the town. If you think there won’t be any town expense, think again. Just the fact that this is happening in town, will mean people wanting to watch, so traffic and parking issues, etc… So that means both public works and police expense.
Typical rumford selectman, thinking in the negative instead of thinking the film could help portray something positive.
Hunting stockbrokers could become a major blood sport couldn’t it? Other predators are the best quarry, they say.
“Resident Kevin Saisi objected to the film’s premise, speculating that
because it involves drugs, it might put Rumford in a bad light.”
I’m guessing this guy hasn’t lived there very long…
I guess they’re not open for business.
Ah yes, the great and overriding virtue of being “open for business,” a quality that perhaps only a salesperson from an establishment that deals in smoke-damaged goods could get really so excited about as to call a “virtue.”
I believe the now notorious Zumba lady from Kennebunk was also “open for business.”
….and the point of your rambling is ??? Let me guess, this must be LePage’s fault.
A better headline is at the Rumford Meteor: “Rumford Selectmen Confused By Hollywood Filmmaker’s Request To Close Off Some Side Streets, Since The Whole Town’s Always Deserted Anyway”
Gavin Peretti…….DUMP RUMFORD ALL TOGETHER
Bring your film crew to SKOWHEGAN,MAINE.