Employees of Vinea Capital got a front row seat to the filming of a movie with Mel Gibson in downtown Augusta Monday.
“They were right across the street,” said Will McCranie, who saw Gibson wearing a trench coat and carrying a prop gun. “It looked like they were filming some kind of chase scene.”
Downtown businesses knew there would be something taking place Monday. Last week, they received a letter informing them that parts of Broad Street would be closed down. McCranie’s office was inside the perimeter.
“I didn’t think it was going to be this big,” he said.
While McCranie took photos from inside his building, Angela Manley ventured outside to snap a few.
“I’m a fan,” she said. “When do you get the opportunity to see someone like this?”
Manley said she heard a few gunshots during the filming.
“It was not what I expected,” she said. “It sounded like play guns and caps.”
Jennifer Bowen, the film liaison with Film Augusta, said she could confirm an independent film was being shot in Augusta. Monday was the only day filming was scheduled for the 700 block of Broad Street; however, Eighth Street between Greene and Broad Streets would be blocked on Tuesday evening and during the day Wednesday and Thursday for additional filming.
Bowen could not release the name of the film being shot, but she said it was an exciting opportunity for Augusta.
“We are always excited when the public gets a glimpse of a well-known star. It just adds to the excitement and benefits of having the film industry in the area,” she said.
Monday wasn’t the first sighting in Augusta of the “Braveheart” and “Lethal Weapon” actor.
Julie Jones, an instructor at Augusta Technical College, saw him at the Partridge Inn Friday when she went there for dinner with friends.
While her friends argued his identity, Jones walked over to his table and introduced herself.
“I told him I never thought I’d have the opportunity to meet him and that I admired his work,” she said.
The actor was amiable, and she said he reached out to shake her hand. She didn’t ask for an autograph or to take a selfie with him. She did, however, ask if he was in town to film the movie she’d heard about.
He replied that he was in Augusta for golf, she said.
Bowen said there’s no word on any additional films coming to Augusta, but she said she’s still getting calls from production companies interested in visiting the area for possible locations.
“We’re very optimistic and hope that something else will be filmed here in the summer,” she said.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
