Filming and fuming in Newhall
Written by Jeff on May 7th, 2008Lyons Avenue at Newhall Avenue has been almost completely shutdown Wednesday afternoon as a crew works on an undetermined film production. Sheriff Deputies were busy trying to manage the resulting traffic backup on eastbound Lyons. Motorists on that street faced backups to as far as Orchard Village Road and were fuming as traffic was diverted into a single lane.
The backup has been on going for most of the day. I saw motorists backed up at just after noon and on my return from lunch at around 2:30.
Some motorists were so angry they were honking their horns, even shaking their fist in that sad-yet-funny sort of way. Others resorted to slamming on their gas pedals to do a U-Turn near the OLPH Catholic church.
It all made for an exhilarating if frightening bike commute back to work. I’m happy to report that the backup didn’t affect me and another guy riding his bike on Lyons.
As for the film production itself? Well, the City’s website doesn’t give any clue as to what’s being filmed today, but I was able to stop for a few minutes and see what was going on.
On Lyons Avenue just west of Newhall (in front of the Jack ‘n the Box in fact), the production company has parked at least six cars in traffic lanes on Lyons. There was the requisite film equipment, production staff, “cast” “director” and “producer” chairs plus a hunky man in a leather jacket on top of a Harley Motorcycle at the center of it all.
I couldn’t even spot any cameras, and it looked as if the production crew was taking a break, just sort of looking around and taking the chaotic scene in.
One hopes this particular production is bringing a lot of cash into the City- I’m sure the motorists think they’re time is more valuable than whatever film fees the city is receiving.
Anyway, word to the wise- stay out of south Newhall this afternoon.
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SCV Urbanization Alert:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xmvIwJBChY4
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City manager Kenny and Ms. Ortiz need to hit the bricks. It is the traffic you idiots.
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Our City officials are a bunch of arrogant nitwits (had to clean it up for Jeff)!
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It seems obvious that our City officials are pretty darn cozy with local lobbyists and developers. So I don’t think they are idiots or nitwits…. arrogant, yes; self interested, yes.
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idiots or nitwits! Yes they are, for failure to recognize for whom they work! On the take, yes! They want all the non monetary perks the GOB’s have to offer. Especially Broadway Kenny!
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Actually the stupid Amgen Bicycle Race caused worse traffic!
If you work in the entertainment business you’re happy that the movie and tv companies are back to work!!!
I’d rather be inconvienced by people being employed then the stupid Amgen race…
That said… they should have put up signs in Newhall to alert people so they could pick an alternate route.
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Ya, that bugs me when filming is going on like that. It’s really not cool. With enough blow-back by residents the city will get the picture. It would have been funny as heck if they were honking every time they yelled “Action”.
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People just doing their job. Deal with it. My father died last August and because of median construction on Lyons on the day of the funeral, our drive from Eternal Valley to the OO1 clubhouse reception took over a half hour. So all the current complainers can kiss my a$$
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Sheesh - such bitterness, VH. I agree, the City could’ve informed the Public to minimize traffic delays in Newhall.
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“the City could’ve informed the Public to minimize traffic delays in Newhall.”
Right, cause when the city DOES notify people they always pay attention.
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“Sheesh - such bitterness, VH.”
Sorry Bob, apparently you would have been in a much better mood coming from YOUR dad’s funeral.
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My point was that there are far worse things in life to deal with than having to sit an extra few minutes on that one trip while someone is trying to do their job. I’m sure those inconvenienced were able to get on with their busy lives within ten minutes.
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VH, the traffic problem in SCV is bad enough without routine maintenance or accidents. The City could do a better job notifying motorists with signage when traffic is hampered. It’s not like in the SFV where motorists can simply take another route within “the grid”.
The day, I attended my Dad’s funeral was an extremely sad one too. He was 50 years old & I was a very young man - I believe I was still in shock.
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Right on, Bob