2008 Woodie Awards
Tax credits bring Johnny Depp film to state
Period piece 'Public Enemies' to spend $20 million in Wisconsin
By Christopher Placek
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- "Public Enemies" starring Johnny Depp to begin filming in Wisconsin this month
- Major motion picture came here as a result of state's new filmmaker incentive program, Film Wisconsin says
- Milwaukee County Historical Society building and town of Columbus, Wis. to feature prominently in film
- Casting calls held for hopeful extras
FBI agents will be in pursuit of a notorious gangster amidst bank robberies and car chases - all taking place on the streets of Milwaukee and in other Wisconsin locations starting this month.
At least that's what will be happening in a movie, when filmmakers begin production next week of "Public Enemies," a major motion picture starring Johnny Depp in the lead role as 1930s criminal John Dillinger.
Universal Studios has been scouting potential shooting locations in the state since last year, attracted by new incentives for filmmakers that went into effect Jan. 1, said Melissa Musante, associate director of Film Wisconsin, a nonprofit group that encourages film industry production in the state. Already, the inside of the Milwaukee County Historical Society building is being transformed to look like a bank that Dillinger might have robbed in his day.
In fact, the current home of the society museum at 910 N. Old World Third St. was originally a bank. The building was built in 1913 as the Second Ward Service Bank and became First Wisconsin Bank in 1928. Filmmakers became aware of the building's charm - complete with marble flooring and pillars, and seven original bank vaults - per recommendation from the city of Milwaukee, said Bob Teske, director of the society.
For the past two weeks, workers have been reconstructing the museum's interior to what it looked like before the historical society took over in the 1960s. Filmmakers told Teske shooting at the bank will take place sometime in late March or early April and is expected to happen in one day. The faux marble wallpapering around the temporary wooden teller counters will come down after production.
Published: 3/11/08 Section: News
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