Mo. cities: 'Killshot' could be huge plus for Cape's economy

Statewide city officials say possible Cape Girardeau movie shoot would create a buzz, inconvenience.

This summer, Hollywood has taken up residence in Pacific, Mo.

The filming of "Saving Shiloh" -- the last of a film trilogy about an 11-year-old boy and his strong kinship with a beagle -- has movie stars dining at local restaurants, production crews staying at nearby hotels and has transformed some residents into paid actors, even if they're just extras.

"It has been awesome for us," said Sheila Steelman, Pacific's community development director. "We're just trying to get on the map here, and it's helping."

Pacific, a town of 7,000 on the outskirts of St. Louis, offers a snapshot of what Cape Girar-deau could look like if filmmakers decide to make part of the movie version of Elmore Leonard's novel "Killshot" here.

And what it could mean for local cash registers.

"We were told a $2 million movie like 'Shiloh' would bring in $1 million locally," Steelman said. "I don't think it will be that much, but it should be substantial."

Director John Madden ("Shakespeare in Love") and his filmmaking crew were in Cape Girardeau Friday to scout several locations mentioned in the novel. They are weighing whether to shoot those scenes in Cape Girardeau or in Canada, where incentives are better and production costs are cheaper. The decision is expected within three weeks.

It's too early to tell how much Cape Girardeau stands to gain -- or lose.

"It varies on the situation," said Jerry Jones, director of Missouri's Film Commission. "If they come here and shoot everything that is mentioned in the book, it could do a great deal. But even if they just shoot exteriors, it's something. Look how many people still go to see the diamond in 'Field of Dreams.'"

Jones points to the movie "Ride With the Devil," which was filmed in and around Pattonsburg, Mo., over five months in 1998. According to an assessment report, the movie had a total economic impact of $44 million on the state.

More than 800 new jobs were created that lasted about four months, the report says. In Missouri the more than $21 million invested in the film paid for payroll, lodging, materials, equipment rental, transportation and food. The report estimates that 1,600 hotel rooms were used during the filming.

Gene Walker was on the Pattonsburg City Council when "Riding With the Devil" was filmed by director Ang Lee. He remembers filmmakers putting facades on buildings, locals acting as extras and actor Tobey Maguire being in town.

"It's kind of a neat thing, saying you had a movie shot here," Walker said. "People still talk about it."

He also remembers that producers paid the city $60,000 to use the town's buildings for the period piece. Plumbers and carpenters went to work on sets and were paid handsomely, he said. Extras were paid $85 a day for little work, he said.

But it wasn't all great, he recalls.

"There were traffic issues, and it was a hassle at times, like anything else," he said. "And we couldn't get that close to the filming. They were pretty strict about that."

Bigger movies like "Killshot," which will star Viggo Mortensen, Diane Lane, Mickey Rourke and Justin Timberlake, could bring in more money than smaller movies, said J. Kim Tucci, chairman of the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce and former chairman of the Missouri Film Commission.

The recent film "The Game of Their Lives," which tells the true-life story of the 1950 U.S. soccer team that beat England, was partially filmed in St. Louis. Tucci said that movie had a budget of $177,000 a day and had a $50 million impact on St. Louis.

"It's big bucks," he said. "With 'Killshot,' I wouldn't be surprised if it has a $40 million impact down there. There's definitely a multiplying effect."

smoyers@semissourian.com

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