'Tower Heist' Films in Woodhaven
'Tower Heist' Films in Woodhaven
For the third time in a year, a major Hollywood production came to Woodhaven to film scenes. Early last year, scenes from Morning Glory (Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton) were filmed along Park Lane South and 94th Street. Click here to see the trailer -- Woodhaven is the very first thing you see!
Then, last Fall, The Sitter filmed for about a week at our Carousel in Forest Park. We covered that film shoot here and here.
Last week, in the midst of a blizzard, Tower Heist set up shop at historic Neir's Tavern. Tower Heist stars Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Tea Leoni, Judd Hirsch, Alan Alda -- it's a great cast and according to IMDB the plot is as follows: "When a group of hard working guys find out they've fallen victim to a wealthy business man's Ponzi scheme, they conspire to rob his high-rise residence." Sounds good!
Note: The pictures below are courtesy of Jimmy Young, who hosts and performs each and every Friday Night at Neir's when they have Karaoke -- we've been down there for a few Karaoke nights and it's a great time!
Click here for a flashback to Neir's Reopening Party with Mae West!
The production crew brought a ton of equipment and they were spread out all over the neighborhood. Despite some early concerns, it seems like the production took pains not to be disruptive to the community. Most of them parked up at the Bandshell and took a shuttle back and forth to the set. Thank you!
Here you see the crew preparing the interior of Neir's -- I cringed when I saw someone standing on the bar, but I was glad to see they put down a blanket.
Here's a closer look at all the lights they covered the ceiling with --
There were almost as many lights outside Neir's as inside --
After they got set up, the snow began to fall in earnest --
Back inside, it was nice and warm -- and they were ready to roll.
Meanwhile, outside, the film crew had to get the shovels out to keep the set clear. There was a lot of equipment under those tents and they had to work had to protect that equipment from all the snow we got.
No doubt that the crew's time spent in Woodhaven will be very memorable for them -- as memorable for them as it was for Woodhaven!
The day after -- day 2 of the shoot --
There's Jimmy Young, behind the bar -- ready for his closeup!
The people out in the street were able to get a glimpse of what was being filmed inside on these screens --
Here's a treat -- a video of the filming from Bobby Woodhaven, who braved the cold for 4 hours to get these shots --
Click here to see more of Bobby's Woodhaven videos -- and subscribe!
Here, Director Brett Ratner discusses the next scene with Tea Leoni and Ben Stiller. Again with all those lights!
Here's another shot -- they're at the back of Neir's --
Here's Tea Leoni with Jimmy Young --
Director Brett Ratner and Jimmy Young at Neir's --
Here's a nice shot of Tea Leoni sitting at the bar in Neir's -- Hey Tea, is that a gun in your pocket? Or are you just happy to be in Woodhaven?
Jimmy with Ben Stiller --
Thanks again to Jimmy Young for the photos -- much appreciated! And remember, you can see Jimmy each Friday Night at Neir's. Jimmy also has a CD available -- click here to find out more!
On a last note -- it was over 20 years ago that another movie was filmed at Neir's -- the legendary Goodfellas. Here's a great flashback to June 1989 -- video from the set of Goodfellas -- at Neir's -- taken again by our own Bobby Woodhaven!
If you needed a reminder -- here they are, inside Neir's Tavern here in Woodhaven Queens -- Mr. DeNiro --
Pretty soon, they're going to start calling us Hollywoodhaven!
If you have any comments, or would like to suggest other projects, drop us a line at info@projectwoodhaven.com or projectwoodhaven@aol.com .
