'Amazing Stories' Wraps Up in Habersham
Photo by Eric Pereira
BY ERIC PEREIRA
The Northeast Georgian has learned that the 1980s series “Amazing Stories” reboot was filmed in Habersham County this week, according to Camera-Ready Liaison for Habersham County Joey Duncan. The series is executive produced by Steven Spielberg, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz.
“Created by Steven Spielberg, ‘Amazing Stories’ is a fantasy, horror and science fiction television anthology series featuring an all-star roster of guest stars that originally ran on NBC from 1985 to 1987,” according to NBC.com.
The series was nominated for 12 Emmy Awards and won five. The filming for the pilot episode took place in Alto near Wilbanks Road off state Route 365, and came to an end Thursday, “if weather holds” Duncan said at The Northeast Georgian’s press deadline. He said weather was an issue Monday and Tuesday.
The production company on site is called Puget Sound, according to Duncan. Upon visitation of the site by The Northeast Georgian, semi-trucks had labels indicating they were operated by NBCUniversal Media.
Duncan told The Northeast Georgian he believes the next filming of the series could take place somewhere in Hall County and will be completed in the metro-Atlanta area.
Duncan couldn’t reveal the names of the actors and said the plot of the show is not fully completed.
“A lot of it is just secrecy in the industry,” he said, on having to provide vague answers. “They don’t want other production companies to know.”
Duncan said he believes there had been a casting call for extras Thursday.
“I think what is the most exciting about it is it’s a pilot episode,” said Habersham County Chamber of Commerce President Mary Beth Horton. “... Then if it takes off we will hopefully continue to be the location for filming.”
Horton was thrilled that the county could possibly earn the same attention as Senoia, Georgia, where the “The Walking Dead” TV series was filmed.
MARKETING FOR FILM
In terms of marketing properties for production companies, Duncan said anybody in Habersham County can do so thanks to a software program called Reelscout.
“If there are individuals in the county that feel like they have a unique property or an older home in a farm setting, pond, river ... anything they feel like they’ve seen in movies,” he said.
Duncan said he can upload the pictures of properties to the website, which then allow producers and directors to contact him if the scenery matches their vision.
For years, Duncan has helped give tours to location managers so they can scout sites in Habersham County.
Duncan said he’s helped out location scouts for movies like “The Hunger Games,” but no filming actually took place in the county due to its location.
“That’s what hurts us a lot [is] we’re so far from Atlanta. It makes it difficult for us to get the bigger productions,” he said.
The last big production he recalls was a straight-to-DVD movie he said was called “The Goat.” Duncan said it was filmed at a local residence in Clarkesville and at the Habersham Electric Membership Corp. headquarters for a few days.
Duncan said the essential requirements for a submission are a half-dozen photos or more of the site and a 911 property address.
For those interested in listing their property on Reelscout, call Duncan at 706-754-5814.
