Mason Locals Prepare for Hollywood
Save Email Print
Bookmark and Share
Updated: 10:40 AM Jul 1, 2010
Mason Locals Prepare for Hollywood
Hollywood has come to Mason. Set up for the Dreamworks movie "Real Steel" began Wednesday, filming at the historic county courthouse begins Thursday.
Posted: 10:26 PM Jun 30, 2010
Reporter: Jamie Edmonds
Email Address: jamie.edmonds@wilx.com
width:160 and height: 120 and picwidth: 160 and pciheight: 120
Font Size:

This may look like Mason Michigan, but for the next few days, it will be Ingham, Texas.

"The movie is to be conceived in a small western town," Martin Colburn, the city administrator, said.

Hollywood is in town for the next few days to film the Dreamworks movie "Real Steel." Crews started setting up at the historic county court house Wednesday, filming begins Thursday. Colburn said Mason is rolling out the red carpet.

"They're going to see what we have to offer and that's a beautiful downtown," Colburn said. "They could have gone anywhere, but they chose Mason. That says a lot for Michigan."

The story line seems to be less important to locals than the big stars this movie is bringing in.

"That's the buzz," Calley Green said. "Everywhere you go, that's all you hear: Hugh Jackman is coming to town."

"I think it's awesome," Chloe Anderson said. "We were walking down the street to see if we could find them."

Everyone is getting in the spirit, including local business owners who are getting creative to try lure Hollywood through their doors.

"Australian wines are on special this week at the Vault in honor of Hugh's home country," Jamie Robinson said. "We hope we sell a lot of those."

But even if Hugh doesn't stop by her stores, Robinson said this movie has already brought in some business.

"The influx of people have already happened," she said. "There have been people coming in patronizing all the stores around here."

Which was the hope when the city signed up for this Colburn said.

"We believe it will be a small economic boon for the businesses in the area," he said.

Three movies have called on Mason in the past two years, this is the first that has set up shop.

The city did not ask the production company for a fee, only that they cover the staff time and overtime costs of the police officers during filming. Beginning Thursday, the block around the courthouse will be shut down for short periods of time.

If you want to catch a glimpse of the stars, Colburn said, Thursday afternoon is your best chance.