Valley Independent Sentinel

Letterman’s Company Filming Flick In Derby

by Eugene Driscoll And Melvin Mason | Jun 11, 2010 1:53 pm

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Posted to: Derby

Derby —

A movie produced by David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants, Inc. will feature scenes filmed at Derby High School.

The independent comedy, with a working title “The Greatest Movie Ever Made,” is being directed by Jon Beckerman and Rob Burnett.

Burnett is the executive producer of “The Late Show with David Letterman” and has been working with Letterman since 1985.

Burnett and Beckerman have previously collaborated on the television show, “Ed.”

Worldwide Pants also produced the television show “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

This is the duo’s first foray into feature films.

Veteran character actor Bill Pullman is attached to the film. His credits include starring roles in “Spaceballs,” “Independence Day,” “Lake Placid” and “Surveillance.”

The Derby Board of Aldermen Thursday gave permission to GMEM Enterprises, LLC — a company affiliated with World Wide Pants — to film in Derby.

A crew of about 40 people are scheduled to arrive Monday to shoot scenes at the Leo F. Ryan Sports Complex. The crew is scheduled to shoot there Tuesday as well.

Scenes are then scheduled to be shot inside Derby High School on June 28 and June 29.

The movie will follow the lives of five high school seniors from a town called Buckstown, N.Y. Derby High will be set as Buckstown High School for the filming.

The movie crew will be working 12-hour days during the Derby shoot. They’re also looking for places to shoot in Ansonia and Shelton. The Derby Greenway trail may also be used.

David Price, a line producer for the flick, said Derby High was an ideal location since the story takes place “in a small, ruralish area.”

“Derby had the right fit for what we were looking for,” he said. “We just thought this area would have the look we were looking for, which is Small Town, USA.”

In a letter to the Board of Aldermen, location manager Lauren Minichino further explains why Derby was chosen.

“We have scouted many schools and ball fields in the Valley and we have fallen in love with Derby High School and the Leo F. Ryan Sports Complex,” she wrote.

The entire movie will be shot in 20 days, according to Minichino. Some Derby students will be used in the film, she said.

The school district has also given its blessing to Letterman’s company.

Schools Superintendent Stephen Tracy said the Board of Education asked the filmmakers if students could meet people involved with the film so students can learn about what it takes to be involved in film and media.

Mayor Anthony Staffieri said he’s happy the city was picked to be in the film.

“They like Derby, just like we love Derby,” Staffieri said.

Aldermanic President Ken Hughes said the city will likely receive a small donation in exchange for use of the sites.

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