December 2008

"Yes Man" Starring Jim Carrey Opens In A Theater Near You This Month!

Filmed on location in Lincoln, Nebraska, Warner Brothers "Yes Man" starring Jim Carrey as Carl Allen and Zooey Deschanel features Nebraska's Big Red Memorial stadium on game day as well as country road scenes in rural Lancaster County.  Executive Producer Marty Ewing was excited to be filming on location in Nebraska.  The two day filming activity took place in October of 2007.  Establishing shots were set up by the film's director, Payton Reed and producer, Marty Ewing.  These were the first days of physical production for the entire shoot and the crew was very revved up about being here.  They were pleased with the ease of permitting, which is minimal to none, depending on location choices. Local transportation professionals were used as well as production assistants, hair and makeup and craft service.

"We are very ecstatic about the new Jim Carrey movie.  Nebraska locations look great and our California contacts, Huskers fans all, participated in the tight shots in Los Angeles Coliseum.  It's exciting to have Nebraska showcased in such a fun film.  It is an immeasurable amount of free advertising that helps brand Nebraska as a terrific location for filming!" ---- Laurie Richards,  Nebraska Film Officer

Director Payton Reed ("Down With Love" and "The Break-Up") was recently in Lincoln and the surrounding area to film scenes for the upcoming film "Yes Man" starring Jim Carrey.

While the trip was a quick one-the production team spent Saturday with two units filming simultaneously around the city-the economic impact was huge by any standards, according to DED Film Officer, Laurie Richards.

Hotel accommodations, car and truck rental fees, gas, equipment, food, wages for local crew and location fees all factored into the whirlwind activity. In addition, there is typically positive economic impact from increased tourism as a result of the project after its release.

Richards worked with Location Manager Peter Novak and several production managers, including Marty Ewing who worked on "Terms of Endearment" in Lincoln in 1982, to fulfill requests for unique locations.

"I emailed dozens of digital still images of Lincoln locations, including the Sunken Gardens, Tractor Museum on East Campus, neighborhoods, and exterior shots of the State Capitol in June and July. Initially they weren't sure they would even film here, but once they saw the images, they sent a location representative who spent nearly three weeks prepping certain locations and determined it would be possible to film here after all.  Because the script's football scenes are especially important, they worked with the chancellor's office and athletic department, which rolled out the red carpet for them," Richards said.

Producer Marty Ewing said it was refreshing to return to Lincoln, but budget constraints almost always dictate that they film in a location where they can receive the most incentives.

"We were looking at shooting the entire project in a state that offered film incentives because that's the bottom line. We needed to get the university's football activity and scenes around the city of Lincoln so we at least found the resources to make that happen," Ewing said. "If we could have doubled the football team at another location, we would have done that.  As it happens, we will be doubling the lead actor at the Coliseum (in Los Angeles) for Memorial Stadium."

"It was a real win-win situation," said Richards.  "UNL and the city of Lincoln got free publicity and the production team got the shots they needed on campus and around the city and rural edges of the city.  Although it's never a sure thing, it will be fun to see the movie and identify the locations used for the film.  Plus, the filming used several local production assistants, gaffers and grips and transportation drivers on its crew.  The Saturday shoot found the Lincoln skyline overcast and cloudy.  The director loved the ‘rainy day' look.  According to Reed, ‘It will be a great contrast to the Los Angeles cityscape.  Nebraska is a great place to film, I love it here.  We wish we could have done more of our shooting here. The people are just super!'."

For more information contact Laurie Richards at email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Nebraska has a rich heritage in the film industry. From the early work of Fred Niblo, 1920s silent film director from York, to actresses Marg Helgenberger, from North Bend and Hilary Swank from Lincoln, and director, producer and screenwriter Alexander Payne, from Omaha, the state knows how to grow and nurture talent. Keep your eyes on this site for future information related to the state’s presence in the film world.

Be sure to check out the Nebraska Independent Film Projects (http://www.nifp.org/), Film Streams (http://www.filmstreams.org/) and the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center (http://www.theross.org/). These entities represent a small part of the infrastructure that helpsNebraska’s independent industry flourish.

Economic Research Associates has completed a study of the film industry in Nebraska.  An electronic version of the complete study and the executive summary is available as a PDF file, clicking here.  It provides valuable information regarding the economic impact of the film industry at large and analysis of the industry in Nebraska. 

Check out one of the many interactive photo galleries featuring some of the state's most scenic landscapes:

Thanks for stopping by. FILM NEBRASKA!
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Helpful hints:

• The Web site offers wide ranging photos of many Nebraska locations. It's a common misperception that Nebraska is flat! The lowest point of elevation is in Richardson County, eastern end of the state, at 840 feet. The highest point is in Kimball County, western end at 5,424 feethigher than Denver!
• From rolling fields of corn, beans, wheat and other crops in the east, to the cattle-grazing Sandhills in the mid-section and the beautiful Pine Ridge of the west, Nebraska’s topography is diverse. The state also experiences four full seasons. Crops are planted in the spring(April-May)mature through the summer (June-August), and are harvested in the fall (September-October). Check out our crop planting and weather information so you can better assist your company in preparing for upcoming commercial production. Plan ahead!
• Nebraska history? It might be significant to know the facts so you can use 'em or lose 'em, depending on your approach to artistic license when creating!
• How do I get to Nebraska? Direct flights to Omaha are available from coast to coast Nebraska is served by United, American, American West, TWA, Frontier, Delta, Southwest and soon)--Express Jet wil have flights from Omaha to the California cities of Ontario and San Diego(Check with your travel agent.) .

So, that's just the beginning. Thanks for stopping. Let us know how we can help make your next production a success in Nebraska. See you soon...
Nebraska Film Officer

Nebraska Film Office
P.O. Box 98907
Lincoln, NE 68509-8907
402-471-3746
800-228-4307
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