Local production: Back to the future with ‘FlashForward’
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Pasadena residents might glimpse the future this Friday.
That’s when the new ABC TV series ‘FlashForward’ begins filming in the area, according to a sampling of upcoming shoots from FilmL.A, which coordinates film permits for the Los Angeles region.
The drama, which debuts Sept. 24 and is adapted from Robert J. Sawyer’s 1999 novel, is about the aftermath of a mysterious event that causes people to glimpse their futures. David S. Goyer, co-writer of ‘The Dark Knight’ and Brannon Braga (‘24’) are executive producers of the show, which stars Joseph Fiennes and John Cho.
The show, which is set in LA and employs 250 people per episode, will shoot on sound stages at Disney as well as various locations through the county. Producers said they wanted to remain close to studio facilities and the show’s writers.
‘The series is the first time I’ve been able to shoot L.A. for L.A., and it’s like Christmas for our locations,’’ said Jessika Goyer, an executive producer. ‘We are challenging ourselves to find looks all over the zone that haven’t been shot before and really stand out.’
ABC’s decision to shoot ‘FlashForward’ locally is welcome news for Los Angeles, which has been struggling to retain its bread-and-butter TV business as shows have migrated to other locales. On-location shoots for TV shows dropped 32% last week over the same period a year ago, according to the latest data from FilmL.A.
-- Richard Verrier
