Fun in Sleepy Hollow

Have you seen the TV show Sleepy Hollow? David and I love the show and look forward to each episode.

Well, the other day I got to do something really fun! You see, they were filming in my town! Yep, they were here in downtown New Bern to film the season finale. I only live five minutes from downtown, so I decided to hop on over and take a peek.

I love all the creative magic that goes into making a show. It was really cool to see how they transformed paved streets to dirt streets with $100,000 worth of mulch!

They took down street signs and covered up fire hydrants with bushes in order to make everything look really old.

New Bern was originally the capitol of North Carolina and Tryon Palace was the governor's house. I peeked through the gates to see the scenes. I would love a job as a set or costume assistant. I always thought it would have been fun to go to college to learn something like that. 

There really weren't a whole lot of people there and I had a great spot to stand. The next thing I know, Mr. Tim Busfield who plays Benjamin Franklin, came strolling by. I took his photo, smiled really big and said, "Hi!" He smiled and said, "Well hi!" So cool! :)

Then I walked down the street to where the cast trailers were. Here I saw Katia Winter who plays Katrina Crane.

She had just finished a scene and was walking her little baby.

Here she is leaving. I knew right away she was a kind person because she was so good to her little dog. 

The next thing I knew, Nicole Beharie, the lead actress who plays Lt. Abbie Mills, came walking by drinking her coffee.

She is a beautiful lady and is super tiny. She too had just finished a scene.

Then there was Tom Mison, the lead actor who plays Ichabod Crane.

 He is really tall, slim and very handsome.

He was kind enough to wave at us. There was a lady with four little kids standing near me. They were so excited that he waved. I saw him a little while later as he walked past my car. I smiled and waived. He looked at me and smiled. He was wearing a baseball cap. He walked by a bunch of people, but nobody noticed him. Too funny!

Across the street, I noticed these two fellas. I shouted and said I was going to take their photo too! Then I walked over to meet them. This is John (left) and Reggie (right). They work for an independent film crew that supports different production companies. They were so nice to take the time to chat with this curious little bunny lady. I was fascinated by all the production and behind the scenes activity that goes into making a show. I truly enjoyed our chat and Reggie gave me a big hug when I left. Thanks fellas!

They had finished filming on this street and I asked a police officer if  I could walk down and take some photos. This is the house they were filming in. Isn't it pretty? I love the trees too.

I'm not sure if they filmed in this garden across the street, but I thought it was pretty so I decided to take a photo anyway. ;)

Here are some props and another house they used for some scenes.

It was so much fun being able to witness all of this in person. I can't wait to watch the season finale and see how they transform all this into TV magic. There are so many talented and creative people who bring everything together.

Alas, I found out later that this will be the last time they film in NC. In fact, many production companies are leaving. Film agencies have been in NC forever. Wimington, my favorite place, is huge for the film industry with lots of TV shows coming from there. It seems it is all coming to an end. As stated on the local news, the NC Politicians have decided to end the tax incentives for filming, thus sending the film people to GA where their Politicians welcome the agencies with open arms and huge incentives.

While I stood enjoying the activity of the filming,  I looked around at all the people working. I looked at the bags people were carrying from local shops. I looked at the $100,000 worth of mulch that was spread on the street to create a scene and thought about the people who were not only paid to deliver and spread the mulch, but who would be employed to clean it up. I looked at what a wonderful four days of income, not to mention excitement from folks who were selected to be extras, that this filming crew brought to the little town of New Bern. 

In 2013, the NC Politicians gave $61.2 million in tax credits to the film industry who brought in $268 million in direct spending and 19,000 jobs (to people who pay taxes). Now I'm no mathematician or economist by any means, but I can't seem to wrap my head around why our new Politicians would want to send over $206 million dollars to the state of GA and cause 19,000 (tax paying) people to lose their jobs. It's really sad and frankly, stupid.

Oh well, I'm still grateful for a fun experience and the fact that I can still enjoy the show on TV. "Break a leg" Sleepy Hollow.  :)

Light, love and blessings to you,
Michelle, the Bunnies and Sabrina kitty too!