From the agenda the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority passed on Nov. 18, many people would think the authority had gone into the movie-making business, and according to Commissioner and City Council President Vincent LoRe, in a way Bayonne has.
In a week which has seen the filming of a mega summer blockbuster War of the Worlds – directed by Steven Spielberg and staring Tom Cruise – the BLRA has also approved future projects, renting space to other organizations that are seeking to do movies and commercials.
“I think people are happy filming in Bayonne,” LoRe said. “And from what I hear from friends elsewhere in the state, this casts Bayonne in a very positive light.”
LoRe said the BLRA agenda included transactions with five other film companies to do work in Bayonne. In one action, the BLRA retroactively approved the licensing agreement with “Find Me Guilty” for one day of filming that took place on Oct. 28 and two days of wrap-up on Oct. 29 and Nov. 1.
“Find Me Guilty,” directed by Sidney Lumet, is a drama based on the longest Mafia trial in U.S. history. Mobster Jack DiNorscio, faced with a series of charges, decides to stand trial instead of ratting out his family and associates. A wrench is thrown into the system when DiNorscio opts to defend himself.
The BLRA also approved the rental of 1,000 square feet of Pad 53 to The Favor Productions company for parking of vehicles during the Bayonne filming of “Carlito’s Way: The Beginning,” a followup film to a very successful 1993 hit Carlito’s Way.
The BLRA is also renting use of Buildings 13 and 43 for a six-day period Dec. 8 to 9 and Dec. 12 to 15 – which includes three days of prep and three days of filming. The contracts will generate about $17,000 in revenues. “Carlito’s Way: The Beginning” is to be directed by Michael Scott Bregman. The film is based in the late 1960s, when Carlito Brigante emerges as the heroin czar of Harlem. The film stars Jay Hernandez, Burt Young, Luis Guzman and Sean Combs. The story follows Carlito through Spanish Harlem’s world of gangs, drugs, pimping, and the mob, from the 1940s to the early 1970s.
Liebovitz Studio will rent the use of Quarters A for a two-day period for filming of a commercial at $5,500.
Other business
In other business, the BLRA went into closed session to discuss three proposals to rent or purchase the Standard Tank property. The city foreclosed on the 10-acre property (four of which are underwater) in 1998, which it sold to the BLRA for future development. The cost of the property and the cleanup has exceeded $4.25 million, but the BLRA has received three proposals that could see the land developed, although until negotiations are complete, officials are not at liberty to discuss the details.
In open session, the BLRA also passed lease agreements for office space and agreed to professional service contracts for legal services.