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Press Conference 56k or 300k |
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2002 PR 325-02 www.nyc.gov |
MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG WELCOMES "TWO
WEEKS NOTICE"
STARS SANDRA BULLOCK AND HUGH GRANT AND DIRECTOR
MARC LAWRENCE TO CITY HALL
Film Illustrates How Movie Productions
Play
Vital Role In Driving New York City's Economy
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg welcomed "Two Weeks Notice" stars Sandra
Bullock and Hugh Grant, and director Marc Lawrence to City Hall, and proclaimed
today "Two Weeks Notice Day," in honor of the film production, which
shot on location in New York City. Shortly after the events of September 11th,
Sandra Bullock, also the film's producer, urged that the film be shot entirely
in New York to marshal support for the City and its production industry. Mayor's
Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting (MOFTB)
Commissioner Katherine Oliver previewed the film's trailer during the announcement
and also thanked the film community for playing a vital part in driving the
City's economy.
"'Two Weeks Notice' is the perfect case study of how one production
can make a real difference to the City's economy," Mayor Bloomberg
said. "New York's production industry is a major economic engine
with an impact of over $5 billion. We'd like to thank Sandra Bullock,
Hugh Grant and Marc Lawrence for committing this project to New York
and shooting here for not just two weeks but for seventeen. Not only
did the production boost local business activity in locations throughout
the City from Queens to Battery Park City, but its value as a billboard
for New York City is priceless."
"We are committed to providing the City's entertainment industry with the best possible services, and showcasing the City on the world's stage as the ultimate production center," said Commissioner Oliver. "We are thrilled that 'Two Weeks Notice' was shot entirely here in New York. Not only does the film highlight the City's landscape to its best advantage but it also created jobs for hundreds of New Yorkers and gave the City a spirited lift when we needed it most."
"Two Weeks Notice" shot for seventeen weeks on location in New York throughout 2002, improving industry employment and the health of ancillary businesses all over the City. The film spent over $24 million while working on location, employing 800 New Yorkers including the production's cast and crew, and extras. Among the biggest expenditures were $14.2 million on local hires, $836,885 on local extras, $3,201,196 on rentals and purchases, $1,059,374 on gasoline, $329,333 on hotels, $117,796 on car rental, $354,560 on catering and other food items, $508,043 on hardware and lumber, and $437,771 on wardrobe and dry cleaning.
In the film, Bullock plays a Harvard-educated attorney with a strong social conscience, Lucy Kelson, who is hired by a millionaire real estate mogul played by Hugh Grant. A romantic comedy, the story explores the conflicting demands of work and love.
"We always
saw this film as a love letter to New York," said Sandra Bullock.
"I love architecture, and we wanted to infuse the story with
as much of New York and its unique structural design as possible,
but we also wanted to depict these elements in a fresh way. After
everything this City has been through, it's still so strong and so
breathtaking and so inspiring."
"It's always a pleasure to shoot in New York, especially when
the City plays such a vital role in the story, as it does in 'Two
Weeks Notice,'" said Hugh Grant. "The film crews here are
top-notch and the people are as vibrant and diverse as the City itself."
"As a filmmaker,
it's always wonderful to work in the most exciting city in the world,"
said Marc Lawrence, the film's director. "And as a native New
Yorker, it was also an enormous honor and privilege."
The production made frequent use of the City's 300 square miles of
locations, including Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, which served as the
home for Bullock's character, the Lucent Technologies building which
served as the fictional Wade Corporation, and Sky Studio in Greenwich
Village which served as the home for Grant's character. Among the
film's other locations were the Brooklyn Bridge, Fulton Ferry Landing,
Coney Island, the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, Battery Park City, the Queensboro
Bridge, Central Park, Long Island City, Queens, Riverside Park, South
Street Seaport, and Shea Stadium.
The film industry employs over 100,000 New Yorkers and spent over
$677 million on location here last year. During the year 2002, 174
features were shot in the City. "Two Weeks Notice" premieres
in New York City at the Ziegfeld Theater on Thursday, December 12th
and opens in theatres on Friday, December 20th.
www.nyc.gov
Contact: |
Edward Skyler
/ Jennifer Falk |
Julianne
Cho (MOFTB) (212) 489-6710 x226 |