WE FIVE: Teen ghost hunters investigate paranormal activity in Cartoon Net's 'The Othersiders,' shot at 'haunted' locations like an old factory in the town of Camino.
"It's Complicated"/Universal
Director: Nancy Myers
Producer: Scott Rudin
This Santa Barbara-set romantic comedy puts Meryl Streep, hot off "Julie and Julia," back in the kitchen -- this time as a cookbook author, owner of an organic bakery and apex of a love triangle. Streep stars as a divorcee cheating on her architect boyfriend (Steve Martin) by having an affair with her ex-husband (Alec Baldwin), who's remarried to a much younger woman (Lake Bell), forcing her to juggle an increasingly complicated love life -- thus the title. Skedded for released on Christmas Day, the film shot in Santa Barbara in April. The Santa Barbara County Film Commission facilitated permits and helped secure locations such as the Sunken Gardens, downtown areas and Montecito exteriors.
SANTA CLARITA
Project: "NCIS"/CBS
Producers: Shane Brennan, Mark Horowitz, Mark R. Schilz, Chas. Floyd Johnson, Gary Glasberg
The popular drama starring Mark Harmon focuses on special agents who travel the globe investigating crimes with ties to the Navy or Marine Corps -- from murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines. The series, which recently returned for season seven, is shot at Valencia Studios and throughout Santa Clarita and the greater Los Angeles area, including two popular Santa Clarita filming locations: Westfield Valencia Town Center and College of the Canyons. The Santa Clarita Valley Film Office facilitates production. Santa Clarita film office exec Amy Sparks reports that "NCIS" recently wrapped episode 145.
ORANGE COUNTY
Project: "Marmaduke"/Fox
Director: Tom Dey
Producer: John Davis
This mixed live-action/CGI family movie stars the Great Dane of comicstrip fame, who evidently loves Orange County and its surfing lifestyle. Lee Pace plays Marmaduke's owner, with various actors providing voices for other dogs. Janice Arrington, Orange County film commissioner, reports her office was contacted by the film's location scout for information on the county's 42 miles of beachfront. The pic shot one day, last July 15, in Huntington Beach, aided by the city's permit agent. Filming took place in the water just off the town's pier. Stands were already set up for a surfing competition, and plate shots were taken of the stands, the beachfront and surfers.
ELDORADO LAKE TAHOE
Project: "The Othersiders"/Cartoon Network
Creator/exec producer: Zig Gauthier
Production: Red Varden Studios
The 23-episode (season one) reality series features five teenage ghost hunters who investigate paranormal activity at reportedly haunted locations, such as military forts, ships, prisons and hospitals. The El Dorado Lake Tahoe Film and Media Office helped the project shoot at various sites in the town of Camino, also known as Apple Hill. "Apple Hill has more than 50 ranches -- plus Christmas tree growers, wineries, a microbrewery and vineyards," reports film office exec Kathleen Dodge. "One episode was shot at the closed Sierra Pacific Industries Lumber Mill."
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