Jarrod Lyman-PR Manager
(928) 453-3444 x134
(928) 453-3344 (fax)
For Immediate Release
Piranha crew continues to pump in revenue
LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. –As the preparations continue for the filming of Piranha 3D in Lake Havasu City, a lot of money has already been spent that benefits the community.
The movie, directed by Alexandre Aja of The Hills Have Eyes and Mirrors, which starred Kiefer Sutherland, has been set for a May 11 shooting. Crews have been in this lakefront resort town since the beginning of the year making preparations, and were making regular visits prior to that.
“The CVB has been meeting with representatives from this project since February of 2008,” said Lake Havasu City Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Char Beltran. The CVB has been helping to facilitate the project. “Things really ramped up early this year, and the Piranha crew has been making their presence known locally in a very positive way.”
Tourism officials say this production will create jobs and leave the community with substantial revenue. Numerous local goods and services have been used by the crew, which already measure in the hundreds. There are so many people involved with so many departments and divisions that they had installed nearly 75 phone lines at their various locations. “As you know when you put in phones it normally takes several weeks. Unfortunately the nature of our business we needstuff yesterday, and Frontier Communications was extremely accommodating to our timeline and they went above and beyond the call of duty,” said Kathy Keller with the production.
The production crew has worked with numerous other local businesses and service providers as well. They collaborated with a few realtors to rent five separate facilities for various uses, such as wardrobe and construction.They contracted with a localsecurity company, janitorial services provider, dry cleaners and more. It all adds up, as the crew has approximately $15 million in their budget that they anticipate spending in Lake Havasu City.
While many crew members have already been in town for some time, getting permits and making additional arrangements, local action will dramatically increase in the coming week. All departments will be arriving by April 27, when they will have the production meeting outlining all the needs. They will then go to each film location and each department head will outline their needs for the site. All this preparation culminates with the May 11 start of filming.
Goods and services aren’t the only things from the community the production will need. Many residents are also getting a chance to be in the film, as they are looking for numerous extras. “We are looking for hundreds of locals to appear in this film,” said Chris Davis with Good Faith. “A lot of people will have a chance to be on camera,” he said. Good Faith Casting and its owner, Faith Hibbs-Clark, is the only authorized casting director in Arizona working on this project.
As the movie takes place during Spring Break, many of the extras needed will fall in that 18-25 age range, or at least look like they do. The crew is also looking to pull from the Arizona universities to fill those spots. It is a paid job, and there will also be discounts on lodging, two catered meals per day, and raffles for various prizes, including gift cards for electronics store worth as much as $1000. There will even be some speaking roles, which will pay even more.
“What better way to enjoy another spring break, than to come to one of the most popular spring break destinations, Lake Havasu City, and get paid for it,” said Davis.
Anyone who is interested in being in the movie can email a close up and full body shot to . They should also include their contact information.
For more information:
Liz Biber
323-207-3180