Treasure Island - A Filmmakers' Oasis
Treasure Island is a former U.S. Naval Station.
It served as the setting for Philip Kaufman's Twisted (2002). Twisted was the last big-budget film to be shot in San Francisco.
"There are so many benefits to shooting in San Francisco," said Peter Kaufman, producer of "Twisted," which was set in The City. "You get the freshness and beauty of the city and the history of great films that have been shot here. 'Vertigo,' 'Bullitt' -- there are so many unique films that have a unique look that you can only get here."
According to the Associated Press, shooting of Rent will take place on the island (between San Francisco and Oakland / Berkeley / Emeryville).
The production will occupy the island's Building 180 and the Admiral Nimitz Conference Center.
Permanent capital improvements will be built to the 40,000 square-foot building, which would make it more attractive for future movie projects.
Columbus expects to begin filming during the first quarter of next year with a budget of $40 million.
The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Mr. Columbus's production studio will use Treasure Island for six months. His "rent" will be $12,000 a month.
The View of San Francisco from Treasure Island
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has appointed various Hollywood insiders to a commission designed to revitalize the city's film industry -- with Treasure Island at the forefront of this initiative. Newsom's goal is to make San Francisco the premiere filming destination in the country.
Limited filming, currently taking place in and around The City, includes:
Pre-production work on Finn Taylor's Darwin Awards with Winona Ryder and David Arquette
If Only It Were True, starring Reese Witherspoon
True starts filming Friday and will be on location in The City until November 23.
Columbus, a San Francisco resident, said he plans on making two more movies on Treasure Island, and possibly a television series. Columbus said his production company was committed to hiring city residents.
"If we can employ San Franciscans, we will," he said. "You're going to see a lot of changes in the next few years."
Rent, The Movie
The story of Rent, originally created by the late Jonathan Larson, is about the struggle of identity, artistic integrity and survival. It is about life, love and AIDS.
Based on Pucinni's opera "La Boheme," Columbus and his crew will tell the updated story of a group of friends living the Bohemian life in modern day East Village New York.
Originally, Miramax Films optioned the musical. At that time, they explored the possibility of making the film with Spike Lee in the director's chair.
However, in May 2004, Warner Bros. Pictures acquired the rights from Miramax and signed on Mrs. Doubtfire Oscar-nominated & Golden Globe-awarded director, Chris Columbus of 1492 Films (a name which comes from the original explorer who discovered America on October 12, 1492).
While Warner Bros. took over as the landlord for Rent, Miramax still owns the foreign rights, and thus the option to distribute the film abroad.
Rent will be the first live-action musical for Warners since Bert Rigby, You're a Fool, Carl Reiner's 1989 adaptation of the Broadway musical starring Robert Lindsay.
Cast of Characters
Rent, the movie will star Rosario Dawson (Alexander) and Taye Diggs (Kevin Hill).
The cast of characters expected to be played by the following talent include:
Mark, the nerdy narrator who is love struck filmmaker ... to be played by Anthony Rapp (an original from the play)
Maureen, the object of Mark's affection and former lover ... to be played by Idina Menzel (also a Rent original)
Joanne, Maureen's Harvard educated public interest lawyer lesbian lover ... to be played by Tracie Thoms
Roger, Mark's roommate, a struggling musician, filmmaker and former junkie who is HIV+ ... to be played by Obie award-winning actor, Adam Pascal (who also performed on Broadway as part of the original cast)
Mimi, Roger's lover, an HIV+ drug addicted, Latina dancer ... to be played by Rosario Dawson
Thomas B. "Tom" Collins, an HIV+ computer genius ... to be played by Jesse L. Martin (also a Broadway original)
Angel, Collins' HIV+ drag queen street musician lover ... to be played by Wilson Jermaine Heredia
Benjamin "Benny" Coffin III, a former member of the group who married money and has since become their landlord and the opposite of everything the others stand for ... to be played by Taye Diggs (one of Rent's originals)
Producers include Michael Barnathan, Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro, as well as Sony-based, Revolution Studios.
'Rent' Director, Chris Columbus at the 2001 Premiere of 'Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone'
Chris Columbus' Other 2005-2006 1492 Films
Also on Columbus' production plate for next year are:
Slanted and Enchanted (2006)
NFL Dad (2005)
Will Sebastian (2005)
3-D Rocks (2005)
He is serving as a producer on each of these films.
Next week, Columbus, together with Director, Joe Roth, will release, Christmas with the Kranks.
Meanwhile, Rent, the award-winning musical continues at the Nederlander Theatre in New York City.
The current Broadway cast, as of this November 2004, includes: Nick Lachey, Mayumi Ando, Merie Dandridge, Frenchie Davis, D'Monroe, Shaun Earl, Colin Hanlon, Justin Johnston, Kelly Karbacz, Kendra Kassebaum, Jeremy Kushnier, Destan Owens, Todd E. Petiford, Enrico Rodriguez and Krystal L. Washington.
Rosario Dawson said about the production, "I think it's very exciting to bring this to the big screen finally, and I don't think it's a dated story, it's still going on now."
For further details on the stage production and tickets to the Nederlander Theatre, go to:
SiteForRent.com
The proposed re"lease" date for Rent, as a major motion picture: November 11, 2005.
Congratulations Chris Columbus and all those dedicated Northern California big picture storytellers who are striving to make The City by The Bay a hotbed of moviemaking in America!
Inspire & Be Inspired (R).
Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful living in San Francisco -- where some of the world's finest filmmakers are based!
~ Jennifer Carolyn King
For all of our favorite Chris Columbus creations go to:
The Rugged Elegance World Marketplace
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If You Liked 'Rent' The Broadway Musical; You'll Love Chris Columbus' 'Rent' The Movie
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