Virginia Beach off-topic

[NFKjeff]

Not what I read yesterday. The article I read yesterday said it was to be filmed in Virginia Beach. I will post a link if I find it.

2 hours ago, BFG said:

That made me raise an eyebrow too. When the story was first announced a few years ago, he said he really wanted to set it here. I know Richmond gets a lotta film and TV productions and from what I understand being off 95 is one reason. 

But I can't see Pharrell not shooting at least one scene down here for the very reasons you mentioned.

 

Edited March 29 by NFKjeff
Clarity

[baobabs727]

4 hours ago, NFKjeff said:

Not what I read yesterday. The article I read yesterday said it was to be filmed in Virginia Beach. I will post a link if I find it.

 

So. Did you find the link?

https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/03/28/movie-based-on-pharrell-williams-virginia-beach-childhood-will-be-filmed-in-richmond-reports-say/

Another article reporting that the film will be made in Richmond. Well it sounds like Hollywood and Richmond.

Read the caption under the picture. It says that Richmond basically outbid Virginia Beach.  "Musician Pharrell Williams secured the money as a city subsidy, quadruple the amount that was originally proposed from Virginia Beach."

Also, there appears to be heavy editing because what I read just 20 minutes before was that the movie was originally set to be filmed in Virginia Beach but then Richmond offered more money. Now that part is deleted... it's very strange ... something very weird is going on. 

Edited March 30 by baobabs727

[baobabs727]

6 hours ago, BFG said:

That made me raise an eyebrow too. When the story was first announced a few years ago, he said he really wanted to set it here. I know Richmond gets a lotta film and TV productions and from what I understand being off 95 is one reason. 

But I can't see Pharrell not shooting at least one scene down here for the very reasons you mentioned.

Both of my eyebrows are now raised. Read the caption beneath the article I posted from the pilot. Richmond  offered four times the $$$$ amount that Virginia Beach offered as an incentive to film in Richmond.  How Humiliating. You know if I'm being snarky I'm about 2 seconds away from saying that Virginia Beach already gave Pharrell 150 million. Wonder how much Richmond gave him. Truth is truth.   

[carolinaboy]

Who?

[BFG]

Richmond’s film industry is much stronger than ours. They’ve gotten a few major projects thanks to their film office. A few years ago, I was an extra on the show “Homeland” which filmed not far from RIR so none of that surprises me. 

[baobabs727]

16 hours ago, BFG said:

Richmond’s film industry is much stronger than ours. They’ve gotten a few major projects thanks to their film office. A few years ago, I was an extra on the show “Homeland” which filmed not far from RIR so none of that surprises me. 

Oh ok, glad to know that you have since lowered your eyebrow lol.  Still thinking he will film at least one scene here? 

Received a reply to my inquiry from a vb councilperson. Stunning.  Let's just say that it's looking like some of us have been right about him all along. Very sad to report. You know, the blinding spotlight on Celebrity can mask many a character flaw.  (Best of  luck to Chad Hugo)

Edited April 5 by baobabs727

[BFG]

Someone mentioned it upthread but it looks like they will indeed shoot a bit in Hampton Roads as well. According to WTKR it’ll be shot in VB in 1977…would be hard to create a beach in RVA or ATL. 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5Y195yutGr/?igsh=MWJuc3R5bjZubjRmaQ==

[baobabs727]

5 hours ago, BFG said:

Someone mentioned it upthread but it looks like they will indeed shoot a bit in Hampton Roads as well. According to WTKR it’ll be shot in VB in 1977…would be hard to create a beach in RVA or ATL. 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5Y195yutGr/?igsh=MWJuc3R5bjZubjRmaQ==

"Set" in Virginia Beach doesn't mean "filmed' in Virginia Beach. It just means that the scenes will purport to be in Virginia Beach or of Virginia Beach. Like underneath the scene it will say "Virginia Beach, 1977", but it will really be Richmond City or some soundstage up there.  And this goofball  on Instagram is the only one I've seen reporting that filming will be in Coastal VA. Four or more other sources say Richmond.  You might notice how Pharrell  hasn't said much of anything. Lol. The councilperson told me that Pharrell could hardly be found at SITW and was only talking to one former Councilperson right now. He has no relationship with this current Council or City leadership.  He said Richmond didn't really outbid Virginia Beach,; rather, Virginia Beach wasn't given a chance. As in Pharrell picked Richmond without any real communication with VB.  Of course there are always two sides to any story. Hopefully, Pharrell will give his side one day lol.   Anyway, I sure hope it's true that he will be filming here as well, but I'm going to reserve judgment. Seeing is believing, right? 

[ONCE1stBlvd]

On 4/6/2024 at 3:03 AM, baobabs727 said:

"Set" in Virginia Beach doesn't mean "filmed' in Virginia Beach. It just means that the scenes will purport to be in Virginia Beach or of Virginia Beach. Like underneath the scene it will say "Virginia Beach, 1977", but it will really be Richmond City or some soundstage up there.  And this goofball  on Instagram is the only one I've seen reporting that filming will be in Coastal VA. Four or more other sources say Richmond.  You might notice how Pharrell  hasn't said much of anything. Lol. The councilperson told me that Pharrell could hardly be found at SITW and was only talking to one former Councilperson right now. He has no relationship with this current Council or City leadership.  He said Richmond didn't really outbid Virginia Beach,; rather, Virginia Beach wasn't given a chance. As in Pharrell picked Richmond without any real communication with VB.  Of course there are always two sides to any story. Hopefully, Pharrell will give his side one day lol.   Anyway, I sure hope it's true that he will be filming here as well, but I'm going to reserve judgment. Seeing is believing, right? 

this is insane!  Where is the loyalty?????  Sheesh.......

[BFG]

The Virginia Film Office also mentions portions will be filmed here. I’d be willing to take their word for it, although Blaine Stewart (the “goofball” in that IG video) is an anchor for WTKR. I’d be willing to take his word for it as well. 

[baobabs727]

19 hours ago, BFG said:

The Virginia Film Office also mentions portions will be filmed here. I’d be willing to take their word for it, although Blaine Stewart (the “goofball” in that IG video) is an anchor for WTKR. I’d be willing to take his word for it as well. 

BFG, I was only going by the MANY journalistic reports (didn't you see them?) that said filming would be in "RICHMOND" ...with no mention of VB.  I'm sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings re: the GREAT ONE, but I was being factual. 

So...getting to what you posted here...a social media post that we can both read which says, "Central and Coastal VA."   So... we might assume that this means Richmond ...and Hampton Roads. Ok. Good. Hope so. We shall see.

[baobabs727]

P.S. I would bet you anything that the release and timing of these brand new clarification releases/stories about the movie and the location of filming are NOT haphazard or coincidental.  You may not know this but  there was a TON of backlash and pushback/questions coming from the VB powers-that-be right after the first barrage of film news mentioned Richmond 100 zillion times and VB zero times (except for your goofball dude) re: filming locations. I'm not sure and am not saying that the filming locations actually  changed since that time.  Indeed, a more likely scenario is that the P.R. folks from Universal and PW, INC, etc.,  realized that they needed to get the full story out there (about VB being included in filming) , and fast. Trust me, there was a ton of back chatter going that will not likely get reported on.  Hoping this new reportage holds up. Screw Richmond lol. I'm guessing mostly Richmond back stages/lots will be used.   

Edited April 12 by baobabs727

[mintscraft56]

Thats like making a movie set in Norfolk but using NYC as the back drop. 

[baobabs727]

https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/04/27/virginia-agrees-to-spend-up-to-12-million-to-attract-pharrell-biopic-filmed-in-richmond-hampton-roads/

This article says filmed in Richmond with some "photography" in VB.  Hmm.  

 

[ONCE1stBlvd]

 

[baobabs727]

@BFG Well, this does it for me. Hate to say I was right, but I have to. Trust me,  I didn't want to be right,

I am so upset with Pharrell. What a disappointment he is.  I am a Virginia Beach native.  I take this personally.  I grew up in the same zip code as he did.  I, too,  came up through Virginia Beach Schools band program. He was only one year behind me. 

This is all ridiculous. You guys don't like Virginia Beach, so you don't feel the sting. But we do. It's a slap in the face to all of Hampton Roads, but most especially to Virginia Beach.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/rKiZdtzq9zhTfVWX/?mibextid=A7sQZp

The streets of Hopewell transformed into 70's Virginia Beach. GTFO!

 

Edited May 10 by baobabs727

[BFG]

Someone in the comments said VB wouldn’t allow him to alter the buildings. That’s hearsay at this point, but it’s a huge L regardless.

[KJHburg]

I am rolling into Tidewater VA tomorrow what projects should I not miss seeing underway in Va Beach and Norfolk? 

Like to see construction and or brand new projects.  

[HRVA]

6 minutes ago, KJHburg said:

I am rolling into Tidewater VA tomorrow what projects should I not miss seeing underway in Va Beach and Norfolk? 

Like to see construction and or brand new projects.  

Make sure you take 64 into Norfolk to experience our most substantial project, the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel expansion. 

Atlantic Park at the Oceanfront is vertical. 19th & Pacific. 

Westminster Canterbury’s new tower is probably the tallest building under construction. Ocean Shore & Starfish Rd. 

St Paul’s Quadrant redevelopment is well underway. Fenchurch St in Downtown Norfolk. 

No active construction at Summit Pointe but it is the area’s newest mixed use development in Chesapeake along Volvo Pkwy. 

Amazon is building a robotics facility on Dam Neck Rd in Virginia Beach with a delivery station across the street. 

[baobabs727]

On 5/11/2024 at 2:36 AM, BFG said:

Someone in the comments said VB wouldn’t allow him to alter the buildings. That’s hearsay at this point, but it’s a huge L regardless.

Honestly, that doesn't pass the sniff test. Virginia Beach would have tripped over itself and eaten pure crap to get this thing filmed  here.  

Meanwhile, "Virginia native" Pharrell just dined in Central Virginia! Wow!   

https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/pharrell-williams-catches-bite-at-croakers-spot-restaurant-while-musical-is-filmed-in-central-virginia/

 

[baobabs727]

14 hours ago, KJHburg said:

I am rolling into Tidewater VA tomorrow what projects should I not miss seeing underway in Va Beach and Norfolk? 

Like to see construction and or brand new projects.  

Aviva Pembroke (behind the former mall), a smidrise senior community .  The Mall has been demolished since you last visited.  Kohls, Bahama Breeze, J Crew, Nordstrom Rack, Fresh Market, REI, Latitudes Climbing Gym, + and Target remain.  $200M+ redevelopment project.  On VB blvd, The Tempo hotel by Hilton and the apartments have not broken ground yet, but they did tear down the large bank on the blvd at the entrance to the former mall.  A new hotel project at the back of Town Center has also not gone vertical yet, but there is equipment on site. Grab a bite at Nando's Peri-Peri while you're there. A most excellent establishement from DC/Africa/Europe. Pinnacle apartments are wrapping up construction at the end of Laskin Rd just East of the gateway traffic circle. Interesting shape, decent height (for midrise VB) and iconic location. Moxy was completed  last year at the South End of the oceanfront resort.  Westminster Canterbury on the Chesapeake will be a 23+ story tower on the Chesapeake Bay. Ground was broken a few short months ago. In Chesapeake, Summit Pointe has been taking shape over the past few years, developed as the Dollar Tree HQ. 

Edited May 16 by baobabs727

[KJHburg]

19 hours ago, HRVA said:

Make sure you take 64 into Norfolk to experience our most substantial project, the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel expansion. 

 

Experienced this today at 30-50 mph coming in hot from Williamsburg.  So tell me what is going on with it brand new wider tunnels?  They need at least 4 lanes in each direction if you ask me. 

 

[NFKjeff]

10 minutes ago, KJHburg said:

Experienced this today at 30-50 mph coming in hot from Williamsburg.  So tell me what is going on with it brand new wider tunnels?  They need at least 4 lanes in each direction if you ask me. 

 

There will be 4 lanes each direction,  one being a pay-to-use express lane.

[HRVA]

34 minutes ago, KJHburg said:

Experienced this today at 30-50 mph coming in hot from Williamsburg.  So tell me what is going on with it brand new wider tunnels?  They need at least 4 lanes in each direction if you ask me. 

 

There will be 4 tunnels with 2 lanes each. The two existing tunnels will carry westbound traffic with one carrying general traffic and the other express lanes. The new tunnels will carry eastbound traffic. The express lanes are free to 2+ HOV with a flex transponder. 

The first new tunnel recently completed boring and the tunnel boring machine, Mary, is in the months long process turning around for the second tunnel. Completion is ~2027 and that is already two years behind schedule from original 2025 completion. 

[varider]

Not sure if it’s been discussed yet, but VB landed #8 on US news ranking of best cities to live in America 

https://realestate.usnews.com/places/rankings/best-places-to-live