Hollywood Film Crew Recreates Comic-Con at San Diego Convention Center

Thursday, 20 August 2009
Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216

It’s déjà vu for San Diego as a flood of costumed pop culture fans hit the streets outside of the San Diego Convention Center on August 20. Just one month after the country's leading comics and popular arts convention Comic-Con came to town, the buzz once again is being recreated by the magic of Hollywood. The San Diego Film Commission announced that a production crew is in town to film the motion picture, "Paul."

The comedy, from Friedgold Films, Inc., stars British comedians Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as two comic book fans who travel across America and experience Comic-Con. Pegg and Frost are known for their other comedies, "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz." Pegg also recently played "Scotty" in the 2009 version of Star Trek.

"San Diego will certainly appear as a character in this movie,” said Kathy McCurdy of the San Diego Film Commission. “This should lead to movie-enhanced tourism and new interest in San Diego as a vacation destination. Movies are good business."

This is the second film this year to put San Diego’s bayfront in a "starring role." The summer blockbuster "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," from Michael Bay, DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, contains several scenes set against the military backdrop of Port of San Diego tidelands.

"The San Diego Film Commission does an outstanding job arranging for film projects like this, and the Port supports the SDFC with funding through our Marketing and Fee for Service Program,” said Jim Hutzleman, Assistant Director of the Port’s Communications and Community Services Department. “Film projects - from photo shoots to commercials to feature films - bring significant revenue and recognition to San Diego while livening our waterfront and cities. Our cooperation and assistance are key to attracting keeping this business here in town."

"This type of filming requires absolute control (the main reason they could not film during the actual event last month)," said Kathy McCurdy of the San Diego Film Commission. "To be most effective, the San Diego Police Department will be replicating the traffic plan used during the actual Comic-Con. This footprint is proven to work well and is easily anticipated to work well during the filming. The production company pays the cost of these personnel to guarantee good oversight and maintain public safety during the filming.”

"Paul" also stars Sigourney Weaver, Jason Bateman, Seth Rogan and is directed by Sam Mottola of "Superbad" fame.

Next year's Comic-Con dates are already set for July 22 to July 25, 2010, so start making your plans to spend it on the Big Bay®!

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