This past week, Q-line asked: “Would you welcome a respite from the ongoing presence of filmmakers in the city, or is it a valuable promotion?”
Here are your responses: ✆ “As far as any resident complaints of noise and disruption in the city, you can forget that. The police and administration of this city already do. Regarding filmmaking in this city, if it were properly monitored and controlled, it would probably be OK. But of course, it wouldn’t be. If the City Council gets enough bucks, they’ll let them get away with anything.” ✆ “No, I would not welcome a respite from filmmaking, because this brings money to our lovely city of San Malicious. That is a pig-headed idea.” ✆ “The filming that goes on can be a problem if it goes on for too long. A couple of things that the film crews should do that would help make residents feel better is to arrange a parking place for the cars, and have a shuttle service back and forth so the people can get to their houses, and once they’re filming, have a nice picnic for everybody and make sure the cast is there so the people can meet the actors, and it will be some good PR for the film. But the best thing about the film crews is that they’re not as destructive as the bums, they’re not as filthy as the bums, and they bring money to the community instead of taking money away from the community, like the bums.” ✆ “I feel It’s important to keep filming in Santa Monica because it brings revenue to the city and it’s well-needed. I’ve never experienced any problems having to overcome movie-making in our neighborhood. I think it’s good for the city.” ✆ “I welcome it wholeheartedly. It brings people in, publicity for the city, fees into the city, people buying services in the city, and it is generally good for the city. I see no negatives.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 23, 2005. Read the original PDF.