'We've been waiting for this': 'Finestkind' filming finally makes its way into New Bedford
NEW BEDFORD — Principal filming for "Finestkind" made its way officially into New Bedford on Friday with scenes taking place on Adams and County streets.
County Street, between Sawyer and Coggeshall Street, as well as Adams Street were all shut down for the day to accommodate filming.
"You's" Jenna Ortega was spotted in a scene that was being filmed at a private residence.
"It's an experience like no other," said Angel Martinez, who lives on the corner of Adams Street. A location assistant approached him two weeks ago to tell him about the filming that would be taking place in his neighborhood, he said.
"We've been waiting for this," said Luz San Miguel, whose husband Martinez translated her comment made in Spanish.
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"You only see on Youtube how it is made, but to see it in person brings a lot of joy," Martinez continued. "It's an experience like no other."
Mirisol San Miguel, who lives in their house as well, said Ortega was very welcoming to them while walking nearby. "She said, 'Hi.' They are very nice," she said.
This morning, San Miguel said crew showed up around 6 a.m. and told them filming will take place until 10 p.m — their plan is to watch a majority of it.
"It's a beautiful experience to have," added Luz San Miguel said in Spanish. "It's not likely you'll get to see this anywhere else and we're getting to see this here."
This is the fourth day of filming, the crew filmed scenes at Rasputin's Tavern in Fairhaven on Wednesday and Thursday. According to producer Gary Foster, over half of filming will take place in the New Bedford area.
After the 20-year journey to make the film, Foster said the first filming day in Stoughton was emotional for him toward the end of the day. "In the afternoon it hit me," Foster said. "And then it was like, okay here we go."
'Finestkind' has a yummy codename
To direct cast and crew to the set, there are several yellow production signs with large black arrows posted to utility poles around the filming area. However, the name "Cruller" is being used as a codename for "Finestkind."
This isn't unusual.
"Sometimes it’s an inside meaning, other times they just lay it out there. It’s about a sense of humor," said Foster.
A cruller is defined as a small cake made of rich, sweetened dough twisted or curled and fried in deep fat. Why is this movie referred to as "Cruller?" Foster said viewers will have to wait to see the movie to understand the significance (or inside joke).
According to Insider.com, films such as "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame" were filmed under the codename "Mary Lou," and "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" was known internally as "Space Bear."
Director James Cameron used "Planet Ice" to keep his work on "Titanic" a secret.
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"Joker" was under the name "Romeo," while filming in New York City, Jersey City and Newark, while "Spider-Man: Homecoming" went by "Summer of George," a "Seinfeld" reference.
During filming for "Hocus Pocus 2" in Rhode Island, film production signs used "Black Flame" as the title.
However, most films choose to use abbreviations for their original title. In February, while the movie "The Holdovers" was filming in Fairhaven, their production signs read, "HLDV."
"Finestkind" filming resumes back in Fairhaven on Monday.
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on twitter: @ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Hollywood film 'Finestkind,' films scenes in New Bedford on Friday
