International production crew shooting Bollywood film in Jacksonville for 12 days

Tuesday, June 23, 10:31 AM EDT
By Max Marbut, Staff Writer

A scene for a new feature film, “Romance Complicated,” was filmed along Laura Street Downtown near City Hall and the Main Library.

With an international cast and crew in the midst of 12 days of filming, another title is being added to the list of feature films created, at least in part, in Jacksonville.

Director Dhwani Gautam is filming scenes at several locations for “Romance Complicated.” The film stars Delhi-based model and Miss India finalist Divya Misra and Bollywood singers Aishwarya Majmudar and Javed Ali.

The production is expected to generate an estimated local economic impact of $200,000, the city said in a news release.

In addition to the India-based cast and crew, 60 local crew members and extras were hired for the scenes filmed in Jacksonville.

According to romancecomplicatedthefilm.com, the storyline is a “complicated yet adorable romance between a sweet, innocent, naughty and loveable guy” and an “arrogant, yet charming damsel.”
The pair travels from India to America in search of their soul mates with stops in New York City and Florida.

Todd Roobin, manager of the Jacksonville Film & Television Office, said for this latest film, Jacksonville is not “standing in” for another city as it has in previous productions, but rather is an integral part of the plot line.

For example, Hanna Park was depicted as a U.S. Navy Seal training camp in Southern California for “G.I. Jane” starring Demi Moore and Viggo Mortensen. Some courtroom scenes were filmed in Jacksonville for “Devil’s Advocate” starring Al Pacino, Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron.

In “Basic,” starring John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson and Connie Nielsen, the area around Cecil Commerce Center became a jungle in Panama.

Since June 15, the crew for “Romance Complicated” has filmed scenes at Friendship Fountain, the Northbank Riverwalk, the Jacksonville Landing, along Laura Street Downtown and at the Jacksonville Beach pier.

The film also represents a first for the local feature film industry.

“As far as I know, it’s the first time an Indian feature film has been shot here,” said Roobin.
The film is scheduled to be released in India in September. Roobin said a U.S. premiere is in the works and the movie could eventually be released on a global level.

mmarbut@jaxdailyrecord.com

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=545679

Indian movie filming in Jacksonville sign of increased activity — and $1 million economic impact

Jacksonville Business Journal
NEWS

Jun 22, 2015, 3:10pm EDT Updated Jun 22, 2015, 3:39pm EDT

Colleen Michele Jones
Jacksonville Business Journal

'Romance Complicated" director Dhwani Gautam (far left) and the crew filming scenes in Downtown Jacksonville recently. 

A Bollywood movie is the latest project to be filmed on location in the River City. And there are dozens more on the way. Since Jan. 1, the Jacksonville Film & Television Office has permitted or assisted in obtaining permitting for more than 30 productions across the metro area.

The economic impact to the city: $861,700 in projected returns to the local economy, including approximately 282 hires, 400 hotel rooms and 114 days of production.

The crew for 'Romance Complicated' filming outside the Jacksonville Public Library Downtown last week.

The film crew and extras shooting a scene at Mavericks at the Jacksonville Landing for 'Romance Complicated.

“We’re absolutely seeing a lot of activity out of this office,” Todd Roobin, manager of the Jacksonville Film & Television Office, said in a phone interview.

“Romance Complicated,” the Indian romantic comedy currently on location in Jacksonville, is expected to generate up to $200,000 in economic impact alone. The 15-day production, which began June 15 and wraps up later this week, will feature such locales as Friendship Fountain, Laura Street, the Northbank Riverwalk, The Jacksonville Landing and the Jacksonville Beach Pier.

The film, which will be released this September, is also being shot in India and New York City.
While the city does not offer any specific incentives for filming in Jacksonville, Roobin helps to work out any logistical issues visiting film crews have, including access to public and private property and freelance staffing resources.

“When international productions film here, we have the opportunity to boost our local economy and globally showcase our beautiful city," Roobin said. "Hopefully, its international success will continue to inspire other Indian films to choose Jacksonville as a location.”

“BRING HOME THE ADAMS” BRINGS HOME INTERNATIONAL FILM AWARDS

“BRING HOME THE ADAMS” BRINGS HOME INTERNATIONAL FILM AWARDS

                                                                                   

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 22, 2015)— “Bring Home the Adams,” a video created by Emmy award-winning PRC Digital Media for the USS ADAMS Museum, sailed out of award season with three recognitions last month.
 

The video, which highlights the plans for the future museum, was awarded the Silver Reel in Graphic/Animation at the Media Communications Association-International Media Festival (MAI-I) as well as two Awards of Distinction from the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts (AIVA).
 

“We created our visual effects to allow people to see what the dream will look like when it is realized,” said Ray Hays, President of PRC Digital Media. “The result is so seamless that many people have asked, ‘When did they bring in the ship?’”
 

"We are deeply grateful that someone of Ray Hays’ extraordinary talent chose to partner with us to help 'Bring Home the Adams.' We are not at all surprised that he won these awards for his video,” said Joe Snowberger, CEO of the USS ADAMS Museum. “We know it's a winner because of the amount of support it’s brought us from people in the community who continue to donate to help bring Florida's first naval warship museum to Jacksonville.

 

The video, produced and written by Hays, features notable Jacksonville residents, including U.S. Representative Ander Crenshaw, City of Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown and Duval County Sheriff John D. Rutherford. 
 

“Making the USS Adams an iconic part of our downtown will boldly demonstrate that Jacksonville is proud of its military heritage,” says Hays. “PRC has always done its part to promote a vibrant and growing downtown and the Adams Museum will provide a unique and valuable draw for decades to come.”
 

The Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association (JHNSA) is leading the effort to raise funds to complete the project that will bring this last surviving Cold War-era ship back to Jacksonville, where it was stationed 21 of its 30 active years. The ADAMS Museum will be Florida’s first naval warship museum.

 

PRC Digital Media is a full-service media production company serving national and international clients since 1988. The Emmy-winning company has produced multimedia and television for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, CSX, the State of Florida, Discovery Channel, Velocity, and scores of other clients from its facility in Jacksonville.

Collective Convention in JAX- May 8-10, 2015

Collective Convention in JAX - May 8-10, 2015

Every year thousands gather to celebrate the world of sci-fi, fantasy, anime, cosplay, horror and gaming.  Red Comet Productions presents Collective Con, Jacksonville’s first ever pop culture and music festival of this caliber. This three day festival will take place at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds.

Some of the classic videos games are available to play, as well as pinball machines, free play, console gaming and tournaments. Collective Music Fest is free to the public to enjoy bands including Whole Wheat Bread, Stop Making Sense, Peelander, and many more.  Enjoy the beer garden, food trucks, and interactions with some of your favorite celebrities. 

 Collective Con will be held May 8^th-10^th at the Jacksonville Fair Grounds. For more information contact Jason Lewis or visit CollectiveCon.com

Jason Lewis

904-859-8929

OGPmusic@gmail.com

The Jacksonville Fairgrounds
510 Fairgrounds Place
Jacksonville, FL 32202