Transformers Filming

Posted on July 10th, 2010 by

Summer blockbusters are always exciting, and the filming of Michael Bay’s newest project is stirring things up downtown. Starting today, there will be all sorts of closures for the filming of Transformers 3.

Though filming will be ongoing through mid-August, it seems as though the majority of the traffic disruptions will be early on in the process. Today and tomorrow, shots are planned which will feature people jumping out of helicopters and landing in the park near the Aqua building in Lakeshore East. Needless to say, these areas will be closed to pedestrians as well as drivers when the jumpers actually take flight.

So what do you tell your clients? I’d go ahead and bookmark the CTA’s page on service disruption so you can deliver the most up-to-date news on closures, delays or reroutes.

As for road closures, they are listed as the following:

From 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday:

LaSalle Street will be closed between Jackson and Randolph streets.

Washington Street will be closed between Wells Street and Clark Street.

Randolph Street will be closed from Wacker Drive to Wells Street.

From 8 p.m. July 16 until 5 a.m. July 19:

Michigan Avenue will be closed from Wacker Drive to Ontario Street.

From 9 p.m. July 18 to 5 a.m. July 22:

Wacker Drive will be closed between Michigan Avenue and Wabash Street.

The filming will affect more than car and pedestrian traffic, however. Note that many of the river cruises and water taxis will be changing their dock locations if it interferes with the filming sites. For example, Shoreline will not be able to have its water taxis stop at the Michigan Avenue bridge during filming, but all other services will remain normal.

So keep your eyes peeled for Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, and John Malkovich, though they likely won’t be the ones jumping out of helicopters.

Tags: , , , ,

No Comments


New Crew for AFTRA/SAG

Posted on April 27th, 2010 by

Ever wondered who organizes the shows that shoot in Chicagoland? Well, that person is changing. As of May 17, 2010, the highly accomplished Kathy Byrne is the new Director of Television Theatrical and Freelance Organizing.

Kathy has a long history in the industry, after 19 years of experience in the Chicago Film Office, and will no doubt bring her expertise to AFTRA/SAG.

Byrne’s predecessor, Kit Woods, will retire in June after 33 years of service to the unions, working in Chicago since 1991.

Click on the links to learn more about AFTRA and SAG.

Tags: ,

No Comments