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Production company seeks multiple downtown road closures, offers site fees and local hiring for period film
Summary
A location manager and assistant manager for the film "By Any Means" requested permission to film multiple scenes in downtown Newnan, proposing road closures, off-duty police for traffic control, and more than $100,000 in site fees and local rentals; council and police raised traffic and scheduling concerns.
Representatives of a production hired to make the film By Any Means told the Newnan City Council they want to film four shooting days in the Newnan area as part of a 28-day production schedule and are requesting limited road closures, parking on city property and cooperation from local law enforcement and GDOT District 3.
Kyle Hinshaw, location manager, and Jenny Ivers, key assistant manager, said the film is a civil-rights-era crime thriller set in 1966 Mississippi and that the production will dress streets and signage, and use vintage vehicles to create period-appropriate scenes. Ivers said, “We have over $100,000 allocated in site fees for rentals, community impact, and general economic development,” and that the company would pay required permits and fees.
The crew requested specific dates and locations, including a start around Friday, April 11, and filming in Newnan on Monday, April 14, with scenes planned for Cole Street, Spring Street and East Broad. Ivers said some scenes would require night filming and short road closures; they proposed accommodating residents by parking trucks off narrow streets and offering relocation or lodging costs for residents who prefer to leave their homes during night shoots.
Public-safety and traffic concerns were raised. A Councilmember (unnamed) asked whether the company would hire off-duty Newnan Police Department officers for traffic control; the presenters confirmed they planned to provide a preliminary police schedule and hire off-duty officers. A Chief (unnamed), Newnan Police Department, said the request is “doable” but challenging because of other events (a downtown criterium/“crit” race) and noted additional logistical work is required for closing state routes, including dealing with heavy truck traffic and detour routes.
Company representatives said they had engaged a traffic-control company that will supply barricades, cones and detour signage, and that they are actively consulting with GDOT District 3 for permits on state routes. The production said they would allow emergency vehicles and school buses through and would pause shots if traffic congestion rose to unsafe levels.
No formal council vote or approval was recorded during the work session. Councilmembers asked for additional information on rain days/alternate dates, specifics of police staffing, and coordination with schools and GDOT before any final permits are issued.
