Story courtesy of Steve Segal

Mayor says filming begins Monday for production starring Affleck, Damon

By Rose A. Domenick

Fans of big-screen heartthrobs Ben Affleck and Matt Damon may have some good luck hunting down the pair if they follow a tip from McKeesport Mayor Joe Bendel.

Originally scheduled for Wednesday night, filming for the pair's new movie will now occur Monday night in the first floor of McKeesport's Lysle Boulevard parking garage and the nearby Port Authority Transit bus terminal.

Bendel, who announced details of the shoot, said, "It's not every day a movie company comes to McKeesport."

Secrecy has surrounded the ongoing filming of director Kevin Smith's "Dogma," which began a few weeks ago and will continue for the next two months. The film's original working title was "Bearclaw."

Only local extras, actors and Teamsters union drivers are privy to the inner workings of the movie starring Affleck and Damon, who both won Academy Awards for their screenplay for the movie "Good Will Hunting," in which they played leading roles.

Because the film crew needed a temporary occupancy permit to set up shop in McKeesport, city officials have access to the filming schedule. McKeesport police will be on the set to provide extra secrity if it's needed. Any security will be paid for by the movie company.

McKeesport officials hope the publicity will help draw new businesses to the riverfront site of the defunct U.S. Steel National Works.

The movie's plot revolves around two angels who have come to Earth and take a long bus ride. It is a comedy with a lot of special effects, said Carrie Gerlach, the movie publicist in town from Los Angeles.

"We're not giving details and it's a completely closed set," Gerlach said. "Right now our production schedule is changing - depending on the weather, the actors' schedules and even if a plane gets delayed.

"We have many famous people coming in and out. It's an ensemble piece and we're on a tight schedule."

Two weeks ago, the crew filmed for a day at Franklin Inn, a Mexican restaurant on Rochester Road in Franklin Park.

Affleck and Damon have been in and out of town for rehearsals. Other stars in the film include Linda Fiorentino of "The Last Seduction," Salma Hayek of "Fools Rush In" and singer Alanis Morissette.

Is another Academy Award in the offering?

"I don't think they think about any future Academy Awards during production," said Gerlach.

Filming next week occurs from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. by the production company of Plenary Indulgence, headquartered at the Westin William Penn, Downtown.

Dawn Keezer, director of the Pittsburgh Film Office, has been working with the movie crew on preproduction for two years. Scenes will be shot throughout a 10-county region.

"The only time they'll tell exactly when and where a scene will be shot would be when they need a crowd of 5,000 people," said Keezer. "It's a really fun movie and they want to keep the surprises secret.

"They're here to work - even though they're glad people are so excited."