Major filming for the 20th Century Fox film “Unstoppable” is
slated for today in Emporium, which will mean road closures and
traffic delays. Despite the inconveniences, the novelty of filming
is outweighing the annoyance for most residents.

Cameron County Commissioner Glen Fiebig explained that a meeting
was held Thursday with emergency management services, officials
from the film and city and county officials to iron out any issues
with the procedures planned for today.

“(Friday) is the heaviest film day. The main road closure will
be then, but we’re hoping it won’t be closed for more than 30
minutes at a time,” Fiebig said.

He explained that where traffic will be stopped and how the
operations will go were all determined at the meeting. He also
noted he was happy with the way the film officials and local
officials had worked together to plan for the road closure.

“I’m very impressed with the movie people and their
front-runners; how they handle things and prepare everyone ahead
and how they really do care about the public image – their image as
Fox Studios,” Fiebig stated. “There was total cooperation with the
emergency people and myself as commissioner, as well as the police
and everyone else.”

Mayor Bruno Carnovale, when contacted by The Era, explained that
the area of the railroad crossing will be shut down from 9 a.m. to
3 p.m., with only emergency vehicles permitted to go through.
However, the filming has been planned to allow factories in the
area to have crews come in for work and leave to go home with
minimal interference.

As for the filming itself, Carnovale shared what he knew.

“I know they (the film crew) have some motorized vehicles for
the camera crew to be riding up and down alongside the train,”
Carnovale said. “We expect a lot of spectators here, people taking
pictures. It is going to be interesting. At least, the weather is
supposed to hold up.”

Carnovale explained that today’s limited access will include
areas from the Gardeau crossing down, with some areas closed more
often than normal as the trains travel through. That is in addition
to the main crossing where the railroad tracks travel over Route
120.

David Smith, owner of Smith’s Pizza Palace Plus, explained that
despite the inconvenience for him, he was happy the filming is
taking place in Emporium.

“It is actually blocking my way home, but it is worth it. This
will put Emporium on the map,” he said. “I am really excited they
are doing filming here. We can’t wait to see the movie come out.
Living in a little hick town like Emporium, having a movie filmed
here is a real feather in our hat.”

Smith explained that they have seen a small increase in business
but expect to see more today with filming taking place and in the
next couple weeks. He also noted he is not adverse to having some
filming down at his establishment.

“I hope they come to the restaurant for any restaurant scenes
they need to shoot,” he said.

Smith, who recently returned from a pizza competition in
Orlando, Fla., where he did very well, noted that despite winning
awards regularly, the business has trouble capitalizing on that
recognition, due to the small size of its locale. He hopes that
“Unstoppable” will bring a bit more notice to Emporium.

Fiebig expressed appreciation for the boost to the local
economy.

“It is definitely helping the economy, with the lodging they
need and them buying food to eat. They requested a couple of
businesses close to stay out of the shot, and they are subsidizing
those businesses for their closures and inconveniences,” Fiebig
said.

The film, starring Denzel Washington, is slated to be released
in 2010.