I’m torn
In a bizarre twist of events, what should have been a routine film shoot turned into a real-life thriller.
Members of a film crew got the shock of their lives Saturday when a Larimer County SWAT team surrounded the crew and ordered everyone on their knees, hands behind their heads.
The crew from Twelve Monkeys Dancing Films, a Denver-based independent film company, was shooting a scene from their current low-budget feature, “Different Kinds,” in the North Pines campground just west of Loveland.
In the scene, Chris Borden, the lead actor, plays the role of Jared, who is holding a girl hostage and pistol whips a good samaritan who tries to intervene.
Borden surmises that someone passing through the park thought there was a real hostage situation, and in a panic, called the police.
The crew had a park permit and had been shooting the movie for several hours when the SWAT team moved in.
“One of the actor’s faces goes completely white and we all turn around and we’re all surrounded by SWAT,” Borden said.
The entire crew was ordered to drop to their knees with M-16 rifles pointed at their backs and then were forced to lay on the ground for 15 to 20 minutes. Several crew members tried to explain that they were just filming a movie, but were ordered by the SWAT team to shut up.
They were issued a citation for disorderly conduct. On the one hand, it’s another incident of a SWAT team acting a bit overzealous. On the other hand, the film crew should have probably notified the authorities.
Update: Apparently, everyone says films require permits and those serve as notification. SWAT team’s fault.
June 20th, 2006 at 11:50 am
>On the other hand, the film crew should have probably notified the authorities.
You mean like obtaining a permit? OH WAIT, THEY DID THAT.
June 20th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
Ditto to Stormy. I’ve worked in film. The permit is notification.
June 20th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
I think Uncle meant they should have notified the authorities as to the nature of what they were filming. And even then, in the event of a report of a hostage situation, the police have to at least check it out.
Overzealous? Probably. But not wildly out of line, IMO.
June 20th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
Insufficient data.
June 20th, 2006 at 1:28 pm
A park permit isn’t the same thing as a film permit.
June 20th, 2006 at 3:39 pm
‘Fraid it is, BH. You don’t need a filming permit in CO. Being in a state park, they needed park permit.
http://www.coloradofilm.org/filming.html
Permits
Colorado does not require a state film permit, although you may need permits from other state agencies, such as State Parks. The Colorado State Patrol requires a special events permit on state highways, with a $25.00 permit fee. In addition, the City and County of Denver requires a film permit that is free of charge. The state’s extensive network of community contacts and local film commission offices will work wtih you to determine the appropriate agency contact necessary to obtain the correct federal, state, county or city permits for the project.
June 20th, 2006 at 7:31 pm
Sounds like they were doing things legal, but probably should have specifically notified the local law enforcement as to what they were doing. Being in the right isn’t always a consolation if a little extra effort could have made you safe.
Just my opinion.
June 21st, 2006 at 11:43 am
Common sense would tell me “Hey, I’m going to be filming violent scenes in public. Maybe I should let the local PD know first.”
I’d also consider putting up signs to ensure no REAL good samaritan drew down and popped my lead actor.
June 21st, 2006 at 12:37 pm
I’m not even sure if these guys are the “local” PD. In Texas, it would have been handled by Rangers, and I’m not sure the Sherrif has jurisdiction. Can’t speak to Colorado, though.
June 21st, 2006 at 2:15 pm
And we all know how often a street fight or mugging goes down in the presence of camera crew, sound crew, lights, reflectors, and catering truck.
June 21st, 2006 at 6:25 pm
Just another case of The Only Ones reigning their power over the innocent.