Nov. 19, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Pam Haynes, WV Film Office
304-558-2200, ext. 382
pamela.j.haynes@wv.gov
West Virginia location to be used in Tony Scott's "Unstoppable"
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While Follansbee, W.Va., waits for its cinematic debut in Robert Tinnell's film, "Feast of the Seven Fishes," it will soon get to share the spotlight with Bellaire, Brewster, Mingo Junction and Martins Ferry, Ohio, as well as numerous locations in Pennsylvania that have been utilized for the filming of Tony Scott's action thriller, "Unstoppable," starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pine and Rosario Dawson.
"The Market Street Bridge near Follansbee will be closed on Monday, Nov. 23, to accommodate the filming of various driving scenes," said Pam Haynes, director of the West Virginia Film Office. She added that it also may be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 24, if weather or other problems cause any delays on the 23rd. The Brooke County Sheriff's Department will handle traffic control issues on Route 2, with the Follansbee City Police Department as backup, if needed.
The state Division of Highways (DOH) will issue its own public notice about the bridge closure, and "as usual, they've been very cooperative," Haynes said. "The DOH recognizes the value of supporting filming opportunities in the state, and as happens in many films, road closures are almost always a necessity."
Furthermore, the DOH cooperated with the filming of a scene for the upcoming release of "The Road," which utilized an unfinished four-lane highway near Morgantown last year. "The Road" is scheduled for theatrical release on Nov. 25.
In addition to filming on the bridge, it is anticipated that filming will take place from a helicopter. Haynes said that the production also has utilized other areas of the Northern Panhandle for nonfilming scenes, such as using the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport for landing helicopters and running trains along various routes to and from Ohio and Pennsylvania locations.
For more information about the West Virginia Film Office, call 304-558-2200, ext. 382, or visit
www.wvfilm.com.
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