Film crew gets ideal weather
HARMONY — Day two of film shooting in Harmony provided ideal weather conditions for crews and actors.
Film crews from Lakeshore Entertainment continued work on a mild, sunny Thursday to film “American Pastoral.”
Originally all scenes to be shot in the borough were to wrap up Wednesday after a two-day stint. However, rain on Monday caused delays in shooting.
The movie stars Ewan McGregor, Jennifer Connelly and Dakota Fanning, and is based on the 1997 Philip Roth novel of the same name that won a Pulitzer Prize.
“Everything's looking much better,” scouting assistant Alex Case said. “I hope it holds up.”
Case said although the postponement in shooting costs money and puts a damper on work, the film crews had backup plans.
“It makes a big difference,” he said. “You can't predict the weather.”
Thursday's work consisted of driving shots from a vintage 1956 Oldsmobile 88 Rocket. Crew members attached a camera rig to the front of the car for some shots and on the rear for others.
McGregor, who is directing the film in his debut, drove the car down Mercer Street toward the Harmony Museum several times for the scene. He was dressed in a suit and wearing a fedora.
The scene takes McGregor and a passenger past a fake post office that was built last week. Street signs were taken down for a more realistic setting.Another scene was shot at a barn rented by the museum on Harmony Road.About 20 other vintage vehicles from the 1950s and 1960s are being used.One vehicle used Thursday was a black 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air owned by Shaler Township resident Don Peluso.“I always wanted something from the year I was born,” Peluso said.He said he was first notified of filming in Harmony by his daughter, who told him of an advertisement calling for classic cars.“They (film company) called and said they would like to have the car,” Peluso said. “It's very cool.”He drove his car for the shoot and was fitted for clothing worn in the 1950s and 1960s.Fifteen extras were used Thursday for background.Main and Mercer Streets were closed or regulated for the duration of filming and are expected to close today as well.Residents and borough officials expressed delight in the borough being used for major film work.“It's definitely been a pleasure to work with,” Historic Harmony President John Ruch said. “Everyone's cooperating. It's amazing.”“It's exciting for the town. It's letting everyone know there's a lot in Harmony,” Zelienople resident Susie Rape said.Both said the film brings attention to the borough.Today will be the final day of shooting in the borough, starting at 1 p.m.The fake post office on Mercer Street will be the setting for an explosion scene. The Harmony Volunteer Fire Department will be on hand for assistance as a safety precaution.The lot used for the post office across the museum will be cleaned up this weekend.The film crew is scheduled to work in downtown Pittsburgh later this month.
