Surge of Films Shows Interest in Barstow

By Abby Sewell, Desert Dispatch, Barstow, Calif.

Aug. 5–BARSTOW — Monterrey Pictures Entertainment LLC announced Monday that it will produce “Barstow,” a dark comedy-drama following the lives of three desperate men living in Barstow.

The film was written by Philip Railsback, writer of Universal’s upcoming drama, “Flash of Genius,” who died in 2005, according to a posting on Monterrey Pictures’ Web site. It will be directed by his brother, Steve Railsback, and starring Scott Wilson and Keith Carradine, among others.

That announcement follows on the heels of the release of “Leaving Barstow,” an independent film following a Barstow boy conflicted over whether to leave his hometown for the bright light of Los Angeles. The film premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival in April.

Dan Taylor, deputy director of the Inland Empire Film Commission, which assists film companies in setting up thousands of shoots each year, said he has noticed some increased interest in shooting in the Barstow area during the past year. Interest typically runs in cycles, as filmmakers search for a particular look, he said, but the Inland Empire is always a popular location for Los Angeles-based film companies attracted by its convenience.

Commercials and still photography are the “bread and butter” of the Inland Empire film industry, he said.

“TV and features are just kind of the cream on the top of that when they do come, because you have to have the script,” he said.

Barstow Parks and Recreation Manager Jeanette Hayhurst, who largely handled permitting and coordinating for film companies interested in shooting in Barstow until responsibilities were recently shifted to the Barstow Area Chamber of Commerce, said on average, the city hosts about 12 filmings a year, whether for movies, television or commercials.

The permits are free, and the city asks only for an itinerary and to be added onto the film company’s insurance, she said.

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Copyright (c) 2008, Desert Dispatch, Barstow, Calif.

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