Wyandotte is HUNG by HBO

[DetroitPetanque]

HBO has a new series that is supposed to be based in the Detroit, Metro area "HUNG" about a male gigilo....

Posted: Monday, 15 June 2009 6:18AM

Wyandotte Has "Hung" Its Hopes on Hollywood

Wyandotte (WWJ) -- Filming for the new HBO series "Hung" was scheduled to get under way Monday morning at Wyandotte's Portofino Restaurant--and elsewhere in the Downriver city.

"Hung" is a comedy about a reluctant suburban gigolo -- set to premiere in two weeks. The show is set in the Detroit area.

A shoot will also take place at First and Maple streets in the city. Drivers might find road closures as a result. Set up was slated for 4 a.m. and the shoot was to wrap up at 11 p.m.

It's thought to be the first major filming in Wyandotte.

http://www.hbo.com/events/hung/

By Jim Kasuba
WYANDOTTE — Portions of the city soon will resemble the back lot of a Hollywood studio.

On Monday, the City Council gave permission to Hangman Films to shoot scenes for the HBO series “Hung” at several locations. Filming is expected to run from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday.

The request came from David Wolfson, supervising location manager for the Troy-based company. Wolfson submitted a written request June 4 and was at the meeting to answer questions.

The first location will be Portofino Restaurant & Banquet Facility, 3455 Biddle Ave. Filming will take place in the restaurant, on the dock and on the restaurant’s tour boat, the Friendship.

“The scene we are filming involves a character waiting at the dock for his girlfriend,” Wolfson said. “When she does not meet him, the character calls her on his cell phone. Part of this scene would also be filmed at the octagonal-shaped dock, immediately south of Portofino restaurant, at (BASF) Waterfront Park.”

The second scene is a farmers’ market. Wolfson said the story at this location involves two ex-spouses who accidentally meet.

At the time of Wolfson’s written request, two locations were being considered: Maple and First streets, or Bishop Park as an alternative. However, Wolfson told the council that filmmakers decided to go with the Maple and First Street location.

The scene will require the closure of Maple, between First and Second streets, and First Street, between Elm and Maple.

“We anticipate the street being closed during the entire permitted period,” Wolfson said. “In the morning, our art department will set up and prepare the farmers’ market, and it would be filmed in the afternoon and early evening.”

Wolfson said assistant location manager Alex Fields had spoken to the business owners on the two streets and they raised no objections.

To film on those streets requires parking equipment trucks in the Yack Recreation Center lot. Wolfson also sought permission to use the arena’s restrooms and warming area for crew members.

In the event of rain or bad weather, the alternate filming day is Tuesday.

Promotional material from HBO said that “Hung” is a new comedy series starring Thomas Jane as a reluctant suburban gigolo. It’s set to premiere June 28.

Wolfson said the show is set in the Detroit area, and those associated with the series hope to be back for a second season.

Councilman Daniel Galeski, who served as chairman of the evening, welcomed Wolfson and his crew to the city. He said this will be the first major film project in Wyandotte.

Councilman Todd Browning expressed some reservations over what would be filmed because of the nature of the show, but Wolfson explained the scenes.

Resident Veronica Berryman was watching the council meeting at home when she decided to go to City Hall to protest.

“The name itself tells you what it is about,” she said. “It’s not a G-rated series. Think about what you are doing.”

The council approved the request with the stipulation of a signed hold harmless agreement and an agreement that the city will be reimbursed for services associated with the road closure. Browning voted against the motion.

[daddeeo]

Deuce Bigolo cums to Wyandotte. You never probably thought the Beverly Hillbillies or Married with Childen would make it either.
Now they can have toxic TV instead of chemicals downriver.

[SaintMe]

^^^ It's HBO, not Fox.

[WolverinesA2]

Originally Posted by daddeeo

Deuce Bigolo cums to Wyandotte. You never probably thought the Beverly Hillbillies or Married with Childen would make it either.
Now they can have toxic TV instead of chemicals downriver.

Yep, let's all climb up on our moral high horses and tell them to take their production dollars elsewhere!

Anyone who finds their "Christian sensibilities" offended by such material can always choose to not watch it.

[rb336]

Originally Posted by daddeeo

Deuce Bigolo cums to Wyandotte. You never probably thought the Beverly Hillbillies or Married with Childen would make it either.
Now they can have toxic TV instead of chemicals downriver.

and we know that Beverly Hillbillies scored the highest ratings for episodal television and those records lasted, i think, until the MASH finale

Terry Rakolta must be pissed

[DetroitPetanque]

Heck, I think it is great that more businesses are trying out Detroit. Putting all of our eggs in one "automobile related businesses" market is obviously dangerous. True, this particular show may not appeal to everyone, but that's why there are 40,000 channels on cable television.

If local people can be employed to work on these programs (in-front of/behind the camera) and local businesses do the catering, the hotels, etc. then it sets up a nice pattern for future filming projects.

New York / Miami / Chicago/ Los Angeles have been enjoying the residual marketing of their cities for many decades via exciting movie/television programs.

[daddeeo]

A lot depends on tax breaks for these guys. As long as Michigan keeps giving them out, they'll probably stay.
Question is "Does this add up for Michigan?"

[dcmorrison12]

I was downtown today and they are filming in a few different locations. I saw them set up/filming right infront of the Book Cadillac. We also got kicked out (very nicely though) of the Au Bon Paine (spelling?) due to film crews preparing to set up for filming inside. They said it was for HBO and about a male prostitute. They didn't know the title, but it sounds like "Hung" to me.

[gencinjay]

They've been set up outside American Coney on Lafayette all morning and have closed down Shelby between Lafayette and Michigan.

[Detroitej72]

Originally Posted by gencinjay

They've been set up outside American Coney on Lafayette all morning and have closed down Shelby between Lafayette and Michigan.

I read a week or so back that star Thomas Jane likes Detroit and loves coney islands.

[tetsua]

Anyone check it out? I thought it held true to the way Detroit looks, while not really slamming it. Interesting watch overall

[56packman]

They filmed in the Redford theatre last week.

[PurpleHeart]

Judge famous for his "King of the Hill" and "Beavis and Butt Head" is in town also, but he pulled in.... in style!

[Buy American]

Watched it last night. The Motor City casino was featured as a meeting place for his first "encounter". Harpos, Harper Avenue was also in the mix. The show will be a one season feature, it wasn't very good, wasn't very funny and the acting was terrible.

[ejames01]

I didn't like the show either.

[buzzman0077]

That's too bad, both my wife and I enjoyed the pilot. I hope it does well, it is fun to see a show with Detroit as its backdrop.

[rajdet]

I saw it and enjoyed it. I'm not sure if I liked it because it was good or some home town bias, I guess time will tell.

[DetroitScooter]

Two thumbs up here. I like the gritty hopelessness and the Detroit shots. Not too crazy about the US flag flying homeless action in the last scene - unnecessary and paints a picture that might stick in a potential visitors mind.
And thanks HBO for the shout out to the "Detroit Examiner" and my alma mater - University of Central Florida. Made me laugh twice at the weird coincidences!

[hudkina]

It was an interesting pilot. Motor City Casino looked really nice on camera. I can't wait to see the next few episodes. (especially the Wyandotte scenes.)