Both the City of Columbus and its residents are preparing for the Public Enemies shoot scheduled for the Columbia County town on March 17. The city government has already giving assistance to crew for the Universal Pictures production in dressing its downtown's historic buildings for filming, and is preparing to shut down multiple city streets for a ten day period beginning on Monday. Meanwhile, a few residents are writing about their experiences seeing the movie transform their town.
On Monday, one Columbus resident started a blog -- publicenemiescolumbus.blogspot.com -- focused specifically on the filming to take place there. Photographer Rod Melotte runs a weather station that's located at a golf course on the south side of the town, and on Monday launched this new project focused on Public Enemies. Since then, he has been reporting about the ongoing preparations -- here and here, so far -- for the city's debut in front of the cameras. Melotte says he will continue to follow the production during its time in the Columbus.
He was followed on Wednesday by another writer and photographer, the pseudonymous "Columbian Insider" who launched hollywoodwi.blogspot.com. Like Melotte, this observer is keeping up with the work being done to building exteriors in the city, noting changes such as new plywood structures, the disappearance of old signage, and the tagging of storefront windows with tape labels noting their use in the set.
Also keeping up with the physical changes on the streets of the town is Colonial Carriage Works, a company that sells antique, restored, and new horse-drawn vehicles. Owners Todd and Cheryl Frey have created a special Public Enemies page on their dealership's website, and are publishing ongoing updates and photo galleries of the preparations. These include items on the downtown location, the start of construction, the removal of signage from storefronts, the filming dates, and the ongoing façade work, just for starters. More should be on the way.
Many photos of this transformation have likewise been published by Columbus Main Street, a business and tourism booster for the community.
One of the downtown businesses being prepped for the film is the West James Gallery, an art studio and shop located in what was formerly the First National Bank. Guess where one robbery scene will be shot? Owner Kim Bates shares her news: "Since the Gallery was once a bank, it will be a bank again. Johnny will be filmed leaving the bank, getting into a car and zooming away! I don't have exact details yet about the scene but the date is March 17." She also says that this is among the first scenes to be shot for the entire movie.
More details have been compiled by Columbus resident Troy Tadych. His rundown on the state of the production includes not only notes that have been announced by the city's mayor, but others that have yet to be reported or verified elsewhere, including comments about other locations once in the running and a visit by Mann. Melotte ponders these tidbits, meanwhile, an online reflection of discussions that are likely occurring throughout the town.
Finally, there are simply folks from Columbus who are hoping to catch a view of the film's stars, and perhaps an autograph or two. "Wish me luck," declares the hopeful philographist.
This looks only to be the start, though, and there's certain to be far more coming out of Columbus before Public Enemies wraps up there.
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