MovieChat Forums > Demoted (2012) Discussion > Filming in Milford

Filming in Milford

posted 16 years ago by Wyatt2005
4 replies | jump to latest

If you're a fan of television actors Michael Vartan of "Alias " or David Cross of "Arrested Development," keep your eyes peeled on downtown Milford during the next few days. You could be in for a treat.

Hollywood has arrived on Main Street.

And signs of it are all over the place.

During the past several days, selected Milford shops were readied, sets were built, equipment was brought in and actors cued for the filming of "Demoted," a comedy starring Vartan, Cross and Sean Astin of "Lord of the Rings" and "Rudy" fame.

Filming for the movie began a few weeks ago with locations in Novi, Plymouth, Detroit, Inkster and Dearborn, and was scheduled to start yesterday in Milford. Gina's Bridal, the Village Florist, Oak Grove Cemetery and two homes in Milford are among the filming locations.

"Demoted" is the story of two prankster-playing, chauvinist tire salesmen - portrayed by Vartan and Astin - who revel in picking on one of their colleagues, portrayed by Cross. When Cross is promoted to boss, he demotes Vartan and Astin to the secretarial pool as revenge. Vartan and Astin then try to get their old jobs back.

David Rumble, location manager for "Demoted," said he selected Milford as one of the filming sites because it offered the quaint, small-town look the film needs. This is Rumble's second movie venture in Milford, having chosen the village a few years ago for the documentary "Learning Gravity," written and directed by Irish filmmaker Cathal Black.

"We were looking for a cute downtown for "Demoted," and I instantly thought of Milford," Rumble said. "Milford was the ideal location with its downtown, the houses we were looking for, Oak Grove Cemetery. And we had gotten so much cooperation from the village the last time we were here (for Learning Gravity)," Rumble said.

"Demoted" is bringing in a crew of about 80, who are using the parking lot at Central Park for vehicles and equipment.

"I definitely think this is good for Milford," said Kathleen Bruce, a Milford resident who recently heard about the filming and planned to try and get a glimpse of it this week.

"I think it's great they are coming to downtown Milford, because we have a great little community here. Lots of other small towns - like Brighton, Plymouth and Northville - have lost the quaintness that we still have," she said.

Rumble said he expects "Demoted" will likely have a PG-13 rating. Filming will wrap up this month, and the movie should be released some time next year, he said.

http://hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081009/NEWS11/810 090392/1028

[–] DoorsFanatic03 16 years ago

I was driving home last night from work and drove past where they were shooting. It's pretty cool to have them shooting downtown.

[–] Wyatt2005 16 years ago

How cool DoorsFanatic03....anything you can share would be great!

Another article on filming in Milford:

http://hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081009/OPINION/81 0090409/1200/NEWS11

October 9, 2008

Filming draws more attention, money to Milford

If you wander through Milford this week, you may notice there's a little more commotion than usual.

Hollywood has returned to the Huron Valley, making yet another appearance to take advantage of Milford's quaint town with picturesque stores and homes.

The movie "Demoted" has been filmed in a number of metropolitan Detroit communities. In Milford, Gina's Bridal, the Village Florist, Oak Grove Cemetery and two homes in Milford are among the filming locations.

The same location manager has been to Milford before while working on a documentary piece.

When planning for this comedy, Milford immediately came to mind as ideal for a downtown setting. That connection is great for Milford, both now and in the future.

Hopefully the community can continue to attract Hollywood artists to come into town.

Filming in the Huron Valley is a boon for local business, whether it's the entourage on hand that needs to buy a cup of coffee, lunch or anything else while they're here. It helps the business owners and families who worked out agreements with the film company to use their homes or storefronts.

It also draws attention to Milford from neighboring communities and media outlets. The brighter the light cast upon our town, the greater the potential for long-term benefits. Curious star seekers will come in to try to catch a glimpse of David Cross at Stucci's or Michael Vartan looking at new watches at Rottermond Jewelers. And while they're here, they're likely to make a couple purchases themselves.

When television crews stop by to document the filming process, Milford is advertised - for free - across the region. That's another reminder to those in the greater area that Milford has a walkable, shopable downtown district.

Another reason Milford was picked as a shooting location was the cooperation from local officials. We're happy to hear that the local government is working with these out-of-town guests to make them feel welcome enough to want to return. As long as we're not giving up the farm, the local government benefits, too. Any expense incurred by the village of Milford will be paid by the movie company.

We hope that the presence of this movie company doesn't create a hardship for those who are here. Just remember that this is another step in making Milford - and the Huron Valley - a place that people want to be.

[–] Wyatt2005 16 years ago

Another article, with a photo.

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2008/10/09/news/local_news/doc 48eddd9c3b156983369108.txt

[–] bigvartanfan 16 years ago

Does anyone know where the filming might take place on Monday Oct. 13th? I'm a big Michael Vartan fan, and I would love to catch a glimps of him at work. Any information of the filming location would be greatly appreciated!