Posted on 01/23/2011 2:22:55 PM PST by Hotlanta Mike
The Syfy TV channel wants to shoot an epsiode in a Savannah cemetery, but city officials won't approve the idea.
Producers want to film an episode of "Fact or Faked," which would examine a tourist's 2008 claim that he filmed a ghostly image of a boy running through the cemetery.
Acting City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney and Jerry Flemming, director of cemeteries, say they're following city policy on the use of cemeteries.
"The municipal cemeteries are not for sensational or entertainment purposes. Any tours or events marketed as haunted, paranormal, or involving ghosts, spiritualists or mediums are strictly prohibited from any of the municipal cemeteries," the policy states.
Aldermen Tony Thomas, Mary Ellen Sprague, Clifton Jones and Larry Stuber agreed the sanctity of the cemetery and the respect owed to the deceased and their families has to be considered.
"I have to think if it were my relatives that were buried there, would I want a film crew crashing about on the graves of my relatives," Sprague said.
Alderman Van Johnson said such requests should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Mayor Pro Tem Edna Jackson, like Johnson, also expressed concern for the sanctity of the cemetery, but also wanted to consult with city staff before giving an opinion.
Michael Shortt, a local producer and casting director involved in the TV project, said the proposed shoot would generate up to $30,000 a day.
He said the rejection also could jeopardize future film projects in Savannah.
"Sending a no message to them will reverberate throughout the entertainment industry and give Savannah a great big black eye," Shortt said.
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Information from: Savannah Morning News, http://www.savannahnow.com
A friend and myself researched all the obituaries at the local library. It was grueling...but worth it.
You and your friend did a very noble thng.
Thanks.
Ping.
One of those is Easy Rider, which I've never seen, here with Peter Fonda at the Italian Benevolent Society Tomb that was built in 1857 and located in St.Louis No.1 cemetery. I'm told that they didn't asked permission, they just went ahead and filmed.
The ghost walk at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh is very well done.
It is not spooky or frightening. It portrays the lives of the soldiers buried there and is educational.
The Civil War ghost tour in Raleigh is educational. The soldiers who are buried there “appear” from the shadows to tell about their war experiences. The soldiers are well researched through letters adn diaries, no tall tales told. Usually there are a couple vignettes set up that educate about some aspect of the war. One year it was a signal corp demonstration and another a hospital. I know many of the reenactors who participate and they are respectful of the graves and the people buried there.
Money that is raised goes to restore the cemetery.
That’s the same house they filmed scenes for the movie “Glory.”
Savannah was the first master planned city in the US (at that time the colonies).
Seriously, why use a real cemetery when a fake can easily be built, and more fitting to the purpose?
Sounds interesting about Raleigh. When I went to Boston, Revolutionary re-enactors played their parts to the max and the crowd were nodding about the price of freedom and to fight against aggression. If the NYT were operating back then, they would have printed out every name and address of every Tea Party saboteur.
interesting...where and when would it not be safe? Were just there over the holidays and walked Savannah in early evening back to our parking garage from Lady & Sons.
Seems like daytime is fine....
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