Potrero ‘Reopens’–But Only for Eddie Murphy Pic

The gate entering Potrero Canyon was finally opened this week–but not to the public. The cast and crew of Eddie Murphy’s new movie ‘Nowhereland’ were allowed in the upper canyon on Monday for a two-day shoot. Although the actual filming took place on the outdoor basketball court at the Palisades Recreation Center, more than 40 vehicles, including semis and trailers, pickups and cars, and a large circus-style tent were parked in the canyon. Judith Collas, who lives nearby, described the scene as ‘Inceville comes to Potrero Canyon. The flat area below the playing fields is filled with enough trucks to transport the Cirque du Soleil.’ Although many residents, like Potrero Canyon Citizen Advisory Committee member Rob Weber, support the city’s general policy to encourage film production, this situation was different. ‘It is a little offensive to me that the public cannot use that space, but that a ‘small army’ was allowed to go in there,’ Weber said. Wallace Leifer, who lives directly above the film’s parking lot, was incredulous. ‘The area is restricted to residents,’ he said. ‘You can’t even walk there, but these people can drive and park vehicles.’ After City Attorney Mark Brown closed Potrero to residents in April 2006, the Palisadian-Post reported that ‘Patricia Robideau, maintenance supervisor for the Department of Recreation and Parks indicated that ‘No Trespassing’ signs had been posted in Potrero Canyon because it is still technically a construction site, and it poses a potential liability to the city should there be an incident in the park.’ In order to obtain a filming permit, most production companies go first to FilmLA, a private nonprofit company that helps them navigate permits, street closures, city agencies and other filming issues. FilmLA helped coordinate between Paramount, the production company for ‘Nowhereland,’ and the L.A. City Recreation and Parks’ film office. That office then contacted Robideau and Palisades Recreation Supervisor Betsy Spinea. Once both had given permission, the permit was granted. Asked to explain why the film company was allowed in Potrero, Robideau had not responded by press time. FilmLA President Steve MacDonald said he didn’t feel it was a contradiction to allowing the film company on a site closed to the public. ‘They [Rec and Parks] know the public doesn’t carry general liability insurance,’ MacDonald said. One of the caveats for obtaining a film permit is that a company must submit insurance information showing it carries commercial general liability of $1 million. MacDonald said there is a great deal of coordination between the production company, his office and Rec and Parks. ‘They felt comfortable that the film activity for a limited time was safe and that they [the film company] carry the proper insurance.’ Other Palisadians wanted to know if the Coastal Commission approved the parking in the Canyon, but according to Coastal Program Analyst Gabriel Burr, approval wasn’t necessary. ‘The Coastal Commission provides guidelines that allow for temporary events to occur within the coastal zone and that could include filming,’ Buhr said. Some residents wanted to know if the money earned from the shoot could be used towards finishing the construction in Potrero. The fee for motion picture filming at a city park is $450 a day. Crew parking (for more than 16 vehicles) is $300 a day. The money is split between two funds, with 60 percent going to the film coordination surcharge account and 40 percent to Rec and Parks general fund. MacDonald explained that California and most other states don’t even charge a fee for facility use. ‘Thirty-five states are actively luring feature film production,’ he said. ‘Los Angeles is losing jobs and revenue. It is important that we all suffer a little inconvenience in order to keep the film industry here.’