Jason to Star in the CW Pilot "Body Politic"

[moonlight_vixen]

Hey, it's true that I find the younger men attractive...I'm married, not dead...and who could say that Jason and Alex are not, uh, aesthetically appealing?

Lucky

Ummm...not me, that's for sure!

[Lilly]

It looks like this pilot is going to film in Richmond -- NEXT WEEK.

http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/03 ... ilm-pilot/

The text of the article:

TV crew coming to Richmond to film pilot
March 18, 2009 by Al Harris
Richmond just got cast as a stand-in for Washington, D.C.

A pilot for the CW network will start filming in Richmond next week with camera crews shooting around Capitol Square and the Fan. The pilot, which is being produced by CBS Paramount, started prepping a few weeks ago and plans to finish filming by the end of April. “The Body Politic” is about a group of young staffers working in Washington.

Andy Edmunds, locations manager for the Virginia Film Office, said the location was a perfect fit for the producers.

“What attracted this particular production are all the resources here that can play as Washington, and the ability to be a more cost-effective way to film Washington-based stories,” Edmunds said.

Richmond has previously sat in for the nation’s capital for many films including “Hannibal” and “The Jackal.”

Edmunds couldn’t say how much of a budget the producers were working with, but he said a typical network pilot has a budget of between $2 million and $3 million. A typical network pilot cast and crew consists of about 125 people.

“There will be a significant economic impact,” Edmunds said. “The big impact would come if we land the series.”

According to the Hollywood newspaper Variety, the CW has six pilots in production. The network will review them in May, and if they like what they see they can order a full season. If “The Body Politic” is picked up, there is no guarantee the producers will locate the entire production in Richmond.

“In the meantime, we are preparing a strategy to entice them to bring the series here in the event that it does get picked up,” Edmunds said.

The high cost of filming in Hollywood is leading broadcast networks to film many spring TV pilots in states across the country, most of which have film incentive programs designed to attract productions and build the industry.

“The Body Politic” will be eligible for funds from the Governor’s Motion Picture Opportunity Fund, but the amount they will receive hasn’t been determined. Edmunds said it is a relatively small amount compared with what they could get from other states.

“This was really driven by an artistic choice and a relationship with a producer who worked in Richmond many times and is familiar with the acting and talent pool available,” Edmunds said.

The pilot has a recognizable cast for regular TV viewers. Minka Kelly, from NBC’s “Friday Night Lights,” will play Hope, an all-American girl who moves inside the Beltway after the death of her mother. She goes to work as a staffer for her father, the new attorney general, played by Tim Matheson. Matheson played Vice President John Hoynes on “The West Wing.” Jason Dohring from “Veronica Mars” will play a reporter from the Washington Post.

Al Harris is a BizSense reporter and a film buff. Please send story tips to Al@richmondbizsense.com.

[Josefismysire]

Thanks for the info, Lilly!! I've always loved Richmond and have wanted to move there. Now, more than ever!

[moonlight_vixen]

Too bad I don't live anywhere near Richmond...

Thanks for posting this Lilly!

[lynnrxgal]

Published: March 20, 2009

TV pilot filming in Richmond It's been awhile, but Richmond is again going to be home to a film project.

Looks like our boys will both be working out east this next week or two.

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, VA

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entert ... 05/236198/

"Body Politic," a pilot for the CW television network, begins shooting in Richmond next week, said Rita McClenny, film commissioner for the Virginia Film Office.

Minka Kelly, one of the stars of "Friday Night Lights," will star as Hope, who moves to Washington from Michigan. Part of the reason for her move is to reconnect with her father, the new attorney general, played by Tim Matheson. She will work as an aide on his staff.

Also in the cast is Jason Dohring, who was on "Veronica Mars." He will play a Washington Post reporter.

Richmond will replicate Washington. Filming will be at the capitol and in the Fan District.

The pilot will mark a return to Richmond for producer James Spies, McClenny said. Spies has previously produced the Richmond-based movie "The Contender" and television shows "Line of Fire" and "Commander in Chief." -- Daniel Neman

[VAsusieQ18]

I'm so ecited for Jason! Richmond is about one hour south of me, so knowing that he's just a few miles away is really freaky! Richmond is beautiful this time of the year. The pear blossom trees are everyone in Richmond and I'm sure they're really exploding in color right about now. But to be honest, there's really not all that much to see in Richmond, unless you're a Civil War buff. Lots of museums and battle fields around. Richmond was, after all, the capitol of the Confederacy. Can't see Jason being a Civil War buff, given that he was raised in California. But I'm wondering just how much actual filming will be done in Richmond. All of it? Some exterior shots with most of the script being acted out on the sound stage in Hollywood? Anyone know?

[Josefismysire]

I'm so ecited for Jason! Richmond is about one hour south of me, so knowing that he's just a few miles away is really freaky! Richmond is beautiful this time of the year. The pear blossom trees are everyone in Richmond and I'm sure they're really exploding in color right about now. But to be honest, there's really not all that much to see in Richmond, unless you're a Civil War buff. Lots of museums and battle fields around. Richmond was, after all, the capitol of the Confederacy. Can't see Jason being a Civil War buff, given that he was raised in California. But I'm wondering just how much actual filming will be done in Richmond. All of it? Some exterior shots with most of the script being acted out on the sound stage in Hollywood? Anyone know?

Susie..I think we are in need of someone to volunteer to do recon work for us..hmmmm? who could we ask?

[VAsusieQ18]

Considering the filming it expected to start Monday, I would imagine that Jason will be arriving sometime tomorrow (Sunday) at Richmond International Airport. Its a rather small airport and only has 3 or 4 luggage pickup belts. Hmmm. perhaps I could brush up on my surveillance skills and set up post nearby.

[Josefismysire]

Considering the filming it expected to start Monday, I would imagine that Jason will be arriving sometime tomorrow (Sunday) at Richmond International Airport. Its a rather small airport and only has 3 or 4 luggage pickup belts. Hmmm. perhaps I could brush up on my surveillance skills and set up post nearby.

I'm just sayin'..if'n it were me..I wouldn't let an opportunity like that pass me by..and he knows you, right Sus? Wow. I'd be standing there all goofy with a balloon or somethin'..

[immortalbeloved]

Some more familiar names are cast in Jason's new project:

Acc. to Hitfix.com Gabrielle Union (Night Stalker, Ugly Betty), Brian Austin Greene (Sarah Connor), Jay Hernandez and Jenny Wade (Reaper) have also signed on to Jason's new project, which btw., is also produced by CBS.

Here's the link: http://www.hitfix.com/articles/2009-3-2 ... ilot-role/


So that means that the pilot is good for a pick=up, right?

[Josefismysire]

Some more familiar names are cast in Jason's new project:

Acc. to Hitfix.com Gabrielle Union (Night Stalker, Ugly Betty), Brian Austin Greene (Sarah Connor), Jay Hernandez and Jenny Wade (Reaper) have also signed on to Jason's new project, which btw., is also produced by CBS.

Here's the link: http://www.hitfix.com/articles/2009-3-2 ... ilot-role/


So that means that the pilot is good for a pick=up, right?

Brian Austin Greene too?? Holy Toledo!! Talk about Body Politic with the emphasis on BODY!! This show is gonna Sizzle!

[VAsusieQ18]

Okay, I posted up above that I live about an hour north of Richmond, where "Body Politic" was to start filming today.

So, I had a periodontist appointment in Richmond today at 11:00 am EST. After the appointment, I went into the city to see if I could find the film crew. I parked, walked over to Capital Square (where they were filming) and looked around for any small gathering of Jason fans. I actually saw the film buses, trucks and trailers. Believe it or not, not much activity going on outside. I saw a few people milling around outside the Hill Building, which is where most of the film crew and been seen entering and/or setting up. They were not letting anyone in the building unless you could state your purpose for entering, or you worked there. One of the guys outside smoking said they were up on the second filming at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Thats what I had read in the paper, so I believe him. He also said they were filming at the Executive Masion. I figure thats where the cast was at the time cuz I didn't see anyone I recognized. There was a couple of women there that had on Friday Night Lights t-shirts, but no obvious fans of Jason's to be seen! Maybe they knew he was filming at the Mansion and where over there watching. So my day of checking out Hollywood in Richmond was basically a bust. I really didn't want to hang around the building the rest of the day on the off chance that Jason would show up, so I decided to go shopping! (Richmond has a few really nice malls! ). So sorry I missed you Jason! Hope you're enjoying your stay in the South!

[redwinter101]

It still sounds like you had fun getting the scoop though, Susan

Red

[moonlight_vixen]

Thanks for the update!

[Josefismysire]

Okay, I posted up above that I live about an hour north of Richmond, where "Body Politic" was to start filming today.

So, I had a periodontist appointment in Richmond today at 11:00 am EST. After the appointment, I went into the city to see if I could find the film crew. I parked, walked over to Capital Square (where they were filming) and looked around for any small gathering of Jason fans. I actually saw the film buses, trucks and trailers. Believe it or not, not much activity going on outside. I saw a few people milling around outside the Hill Building, which is where most of the film crew and been seen entering and/or setting up. They were not letting anyone in the building unless you could state your purpose for entering, or you worked there. One of the guys outside smoking said they were up on the second filming at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Thats what I had read in the paper, so I believe him. He also said they were filming at the Executive Masion. I figure thats where the cast was at the time cuz I didn't see anyone I recognized. There was a couple of women there that had on Friday Night Lights t-shirts, but no obvious fans of Jason's to be seen! Maybe they knew he was filming at the Mansion and where over there watching. So my day of checking out Hollywood in Richmond was basically a bust. I really didn't want to hang around the building the rest of the day on the off chance that Jason would show up, so I decided to go shopping! (Richmond has a few really nice malls! ). So sorry I missed you Jason! Hope you're enjoying your stay in the South!

Thanks for doing the recon work for us, Susie!! If the show gets picked up, there may be other opportunities...lucky you!!