11 months ago
Lights, camera, action.
Hollywood has come to Central Georgia in the form of a horror movie called "The Crazies."
A cast and crew of more than two hundred people are temporary residents of Perry.
They're here for several weeks as they film in locations across Central Georgia, including Fort Valley, Cordele, and Crawford County, and the State Department of Economic Development says they'll spend millions in Georgia.
The talk of a national film crew moving into town is all the buzz in downtown Perry.
Kim Sheridan, who owns the Swanson Restaurant, says, "Just their presence seems to beef up downtown. You see them strolling the streets, sitting out in the rest enjoying the Middle Georgia weather."
Sheridan benefits twice from the movie invasion, both as chairman of the Perry Chamber of Commerce and as a restaurant owner in the heart of downtown.
"You have to be thankful for everything that comes your way. These are great customers, and every little bit counts, and as chamber president, I'm excited to see tax dollars come in," said Sheridan.
Sheridan feels the new faces are welcomed as well as the much-appreciated economic boost to the local hotels, shops, and eateries.
Fellow businesswoman Marti Tolleson said, "My kids were so excited they wanted to be in the movie, so we took them to Holiday Inn to take pictures in line for hours."
Tolleson owns the shop Two Friends on Carroll Street, and says the cast and crew are not strangers to their newfound neighbors.
"We had one of the actresses in the store last week. A delightful lady, fun to talk to. Common just like us, and happy to be in Perry," said Tolleson.
So, for the next few weeks, the movie crew affectionately known as the "Crazies," like the name of the film they're shooting, gets a thumbs up from the people of Perry. Well, except...
"Other than being labeled as a crazy," Tolleson said, smiling.
The film is about a small town's water supply being contaminated, creating insanity in the people who live there.
Perry Chamber president and CEO Megan Smith says over the next few weeks, the cast and crew are leasing apartments and homes, at least 150 hotel rooms and office space.
Production for the film is scheduled to wrap up in Central Georgia in April and then move to Iowa.
Meanwhile, a baseball film entitled "The Hardest Hitter" is gearing up for some filming in and around Macon in April or May.
City spokesman Andrew Blascovich says their locations will include New Fellowship Baptist Church, and possibly historic Luther Williams Field.
