James L. Brooks Untitled Project in my neighborhood Lately

So, all of Philadelphia knows that James L. Brooks (The Simpsons, As Good As It Gets, Terms of Endearment) is directing a movie being filmed in our city, starring: Paul Rudd, Reese Witherspoon, Jack Nicholson, and Owen Wilson.

Greater Philadelphia Film Office released a statement in July of this year stating, “Among the shooting locations are high-end restaurants, apartments, hospitals, hotels, office buildings, university campuses and other posh venues primarily in Center City…” High-End? Posh? Well okay.

In a few days, on a block that is known primarily for its faux-dog park, lack of parking and young professionals living in high-priced, anti-IKEA condos, James L. Brooks and the cast will be filming on location at 1913 Green Street. But, Melissa, how do you know this? Well, I live at 1901 and for the last several days we haven’t been able to park anywhere on my street because of the massive Sony Pictures trucks that have been unloading props and lighting and rigging all day. And come Monday August 31st, we aren’t allowed to park anywhere within a 5mile radius of Green Street it seems. Bullocks!

That dilema aside, I would like to focus on the EXCITEMENT aspect of this project. While many Green Street residents are moaning about the parking sitch, I am rejoicing at the fact that MOVIE STARS will be stepping foot on my street in a matter of days! It does not take much to excite me, so you can only imagine the euphoria that flows through me each time I pass a Sony Pictures truck or a crew member walking around. Ah!

In short: For those of you who can’t be on my block while filming takes place, I will be documenting this ordeal as the days progress. Filming begins Monday night, August 31st and ends sometime on September 2nd. In these few short days I will do all I can to bring you, my blog readers, a play-by-play account of the James L. Brooks happenings on my block! And YES, of course I am going to try to meet any star that will have me! And YES, of course I am going to try to have a sunglasses-off with Jack! There will be pictures galore, from the set-up process, to the filming, to perhaps just a shot of Reese Witherspoon’s empty water bottle! STAY TUNED!

So, we only got Paul Rudd. And I only got horribly candid pictures. Around 5pm when everyone started to get home from work, a large crowd gathered across the street and Mr. Rudd was kind enough to come over to say HELLO and let us paparazzi his ass for a few minutes! The film crew were very nice and accommodating to us, the star struck onlookers. All in all it was an exciting shindig for our block. Come back soon!

yum yum.


doh. sorry bout this one Paul




PR through the trees during the outside shot, which probably won’t even make the cut.

Paul Rudd and director James L. Brooks chittn’ & chattn’

Bye Paul!

THAT’S A WRAP!