http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=727661

'Enemies' crew bringing snow
Depp expected to be in Columbus Monday
By DUANE DUDEK
Journal Sentinel film critic
Posted: March 12, 2008

Despite a winter during which snow could be classified as a natural resource, the film "Public Enemies" will bring more of the white stuff when it starts shooting Monday in Columbus, about 20 miles northeast of Madison.

Crews working on the film "intend to move every piece of snow" that has already fallen in the town, "because they are bringing in their own snow," said Kate Lueders, the liaison to Mayor Nancy Osterhaus for the film and wife of the city attorney, Randall Lueders.

Crews from "Public Enemies," which stars Johnny Depp as John Dillinger, have been working for about a month to transform the city into a movie set, and both Depp and director Michael Mann are expected to be on hand Monday for what Lueders said was going to be a 20-hour-long, one-day shoot.

"The transformation has been incredible," Lueders said. "The streets are blocked off. They are replacing all the awnings on the buildings. They are (putting) facades on some buildings so they are historically accurate. And they are turning our streets to cobblestone . . . and it's made of rubber."

Lueders said blue tape is affixed to some buildings "and written on it is the name of what store it is going to be" in the film. She described one scene in which Depp as Dillinger "will be running out the First National Bank," which is now the site of the city's visitor center. In another scene, Lueders said, people "run out of one place, around the corner and into an old karate studio, which they are turning into a drugstore. Someone dies on the steps of that building."

After filming in Columbus, the production will move to Chicago, before filming at locations in Madison, Oshkosh and Milwaukee, said Scott Robbe, executive director of Film Wisconsin, a non-profit group working to foster filmmaking in the state. He said the production was reluctant to release details of filming dates and sites "because they are afraid of huge crowds," and that negotiations are continuing for some locations.

"Public Enemies" is the first major film to come to Wisconsin after tax incentives for the film industry took effect Jan. 1.

Filming "Public Enemies" in Wisconsin "is a little ray of sunshine in a long and bleak winter," Robbe said.

During which, he might have added, there was already enough snow to go around.

Rose

Oh thanks a lot for that. A great article.

I think it's sooo funny that they move the real snow to bring in their own artificial snow. It just shows how much work there has to be done when making a movie. Also it is fascinating how they were able to change all these buildings..and that in a rather short amound of time. :)

I'm sooo excited for this movie already! woohoo

Thanks for posting the article Rose. I wonder if there could also be safety issues in regards to the real vs. fake snow. People running around, etc. might slip on the real stuff, so maybe the fake will be more safe?(Just a guess)

Looks like a long day for the cast & crew:

-Donna

Well, if you saw what snow is left you could understand. It's nasty, dirty and thawing. With the rain forecast on Monday, whatever is left will be gone. (Good for us residents - bad for movie people).

Holly

Here's a thought...real snow changes as the day goes on. Fake snow doesn't. LOL I guess you can't have your snow melting on you during re-takes. ;)

Ah yes, the attention to detail--plus if it really turns into a 20 hour shoot, there could be quite a difference.....

-Donna