We’ve received several tips that there is actually a movie filming in Utica this week! Though there has been no coverage of the shoot in the local media, Facebook and Twitter have been buzzing with calls for extas and potential locations for the film. So far, we’ve heard film crews were spotted downtown, at The Tram and at the train station.
We’re assuming, due to the lack of security and formality surrounding the shoot, that this is just another student or low budget film so don’t expect to run into Bobby De Niro anytime soon.
If you know more about what’s filming in Utica, let us know in a comment below!
Comedian Michael Ian Black, currently filming the new Comedy Central series Michael and Michael Have Issues, was in Utica a few months ago and took to his blog about the experience.
Black felt that Utica had “nothing to offer anybody.” Ironic from someone who was raised in Hillsborough, New Jersey which isn’t exactly an urban center itself.
Black went on to say, “So what you get is one of those cities that looks like I think all Earth cities will look about a thousand years in the future when we have finally annihilated ourselves and the only evidence left of our existence are the crumbling husks of our former civilization. That’s Utica – the city of a shitty tomorrow, today.”
This is a common misconception made by downstate visitors who only spend a few hours upstate and ultimately it reinforces negative stereotypes about upstate NY and the people who live here.
What do you think of Black’s comments? Are they valid?
Even though movie locations have less to do with the actual place and more to do with logistics and tax incentives, upstate new York has hundreds of sites just waiting for their close up on the big screen. One of our favorites is the Utica State Hospital. Though the state won’t actually let anyone in the hospital for safety reasons, we think it would be perfect for exteriors, especially for a period piece.
The hospital has a fascinating history too. Read more about it here.
Last night on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, he did his weekly Headlines bit where he reads poorly worded, humorous newspaper headlines. Savvy Upstate New Yorkers may have noticed “Utica O-D” handwritten on one of last night’s articles. The headline refered to a tractor trailer accident that involved pie and injured 18 people. We tried to find the headline on the OD’s website but, of course, it wasn’t there.
Tiffany Pollard, aka New York, has starred in 4 different incarnations of her hit reality show I Love New York on VH1. First discovered as a contestant on Flavor of Love, where she vied for the love of Flavor Flav and quickly became a fan favorite, New York has gone on to her own franchise on VH1 including I Love New York, I Love New York 2, New York Goes to Hollywood, and the upcoming New York Goes To Work.
Pollard was born in Utica and lived here until joining the cast of Flavor of Love in 2006. Her mother, Michelle Rothschild-Patterson (also known as “Sister Patterson”), still lives in Utica and they are both frequently spotted at the local Wal-Mart and area restaurants. Pollard attended John F. Kennedy Middle School and graduated from Thomas R. Proctor High School in Utica.
Alec Baldwin will read the Tony-nominated play “Speed the Plow” by David Mamet as part of “An Evening at Rockwell Hall With Alec Baldwin” tomorrow night at Buffalo State College. Regular seating for the event, which will benefit Road Less Traveled Productions, costs $40-$55. There are also tickets available for a private reception with Baldwin for $175.
In a statement about the event, Baldwin said, “I mean, Buffalo’s a big town,” Baldwin said. “It’s not, you know, Utica. Buffalo is a big town, and it deserves to have an off-Broadway space.” Utica’s mayor, David Roefaro, called Baldwin’s comment offensive, adding “We already have the best theater in New York state [The Stanley Center for the Arts],” Roefaro said. “We’ll just have to shame Mr. Baldwin to coming to Utica so he can get his facts straight.”
An Evening with Alec Baldwin
Saturday, January 31, 8PM
Rockwell Hall @ Buffalo State College
www.ticketguys.com or 716.878.3005
-reception tickets by phone only-
www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org
Mickey Rouke may not have received an Oscar Sunday night but Utica did get a shout out in The Wrestler. In one scene, where ”The Ram” decides he is not going to continue wrestling due to his failing heath, he calls a promoter and tell him he won’t be able to attend any upcoming matches, including one in Utica. Granted, Rouke’s character doesn’t specify he’s talking about Utica, NY but given upstate NY’s connection to wrestling, not to mention that Mickey was once an upstate NYer, we’re going to assume he was talking about this Utica!
In last week’s episode of The Office, Pam and Michael hit the lecture circuit and visited several Dunder Mifflin branches, including the Utica branch! In the background, during Michael’s awkward banter, upstate New Yorkers may have noticed a few Utican props decorating the set. For instance, we noticed a Utica phonebook and a picture of the Gold Dome Bank. Did you catch anything else we may have missed?
If you haven’t seen the episode you can watch it now on NBC.com.
