Mystic Lanes hosts film crews yet again
MIDDLESEX TWP — "Quiet on the set," Los Angeles producer Jim Young called out last week outside the Mystic Lanes bowling alley.
Young's crew was filming scenes from "Homecoming," an indie thriller movie that is being produced by Animus Films, an independent film company, and Paper Street Films, an independent, New York City-based production and finance company.
"This specific location we fell in love with," Young said.
"I love the bowling alley. It works great. It has a small-town homeyness. It fits in with how the director envisioned it to be."
The movie is about a small town football star who moves away after high school, leaving his girlfriend behind. When he returns for a visit with a new girlfriend, his previous sweetheart has an unhealthy obsession for him.
"I thought it was a great thriller, but a real thrill being set in Pittsburgh," writer Frank Hannah said.
Hannah rewrote an earlier draft of the screenplay by Katie Fetting and Jake Goldberger.
Morgan J. Freeman, who directed the movie "Hurricane Streets" and the TV series "Dawson's Creek," will direct the movie that stars Mischa Barton, Matt Long, Michael Landes and Jessica Stroup.
The film crew stayed at the Cork Factory, loft apartments in the Strip District, for eight weeks and departed on Dec. 19 to continue filming at a farmhouse.
The crew members agreed the best part of their stay was going to the Steelers game in the cold, and, like many residents, they said they were sad to see the team lose at home.
"Everyone is very welcoming," said Cassie Nentwig, 21, from Philadelphia. She plays the role of Monica, a waitress.
A handful of Pittsburgh-area residents also helped with the production of the film.
"My favorite part of working on any project is the camaraderie," said Adam Marze, 33 of Greenfield. "Laughing and joking always — and we got a nice group of people from out of town."
"I personally would let them film again because it was nice to see what went on, what goes into it," said Ben Green, 20, co-owner of Mystic Lanes. Green was paid $1,000 for the three days that the lanes were shut down.
This is the second time the lanes closed down to film a movie. In 1999, Kingpin, a comedy, was filmed at the lanes.
As for the movie "Homecoming,' it is expected to be out this time next year.
"It's going to have a gritty, great feel," said Austin Stark, another producer. "I'm hoping it's not just a teen flick."
