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| National Treasure: Book of Secrets |
(posted Jun 20, 2007) |
National Treasure: Book of Secrets filmed on location in South Dakota from April 18-May 2, 2007.
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PIERRE, S.D. - National Treasure: Book of Secrets filmed on location in South Dakota from April 18-May 2, 2007.
“South Dakota turned out to be a producer’s dream, with its amazing natural and iconic man-made landmarks, a welcoming, hospitable populace and tremendously cooperative authorities,” said Jerry Bruckheimer, producer of National Treasure: Book of Secrets. “The very fact that we were able to film with such freedom at and around Mount Rushmore, of such importance as a national shrine and tourist destination, is a testament to the willingness of Dakotans to share their resources in a way that’s mutually beneficial. And there’s one thing for certain…South Dakota looks absolutely fantastic on film!”
Recently Lesa Jarding, Film & Media Representative, South Dakota Office of Tourism had the opportunity to visit with unit publicist, Michael Singer about his experience in South Dakota.
Jarding: What did you know about South Dakota prior to your arrival in the Mt. Rushmore state?
Singer: Not very much, I’m embarrassed to say, and much of what I knew was tied to my interest in Native American culture and history rather than contemporary South Dakota. Of course, when I knew that one of our destinations was South Dakota, I began to avidly research the state, as I always do on an upcoming location. But nothing prepared me for its great beauty and diversity.
Jarding: What were you able to experience while in South Dakota?
Singer: What did I not experience while in South Dakota? I tried to maximize each and every free moment I had there, few though they might have been when not working, to explore Rapid City, the Black Hills and the surrounding region. Everything was memorable, particularly getting to know and befriend wonderful people like Superintendent Gerard Baker and his great staff at Mount Rushmore, who are working so hard to merge Native American traditions into this glorious National Memorial, especially Chief Ranger Mike Pflaum and American Indian Liaison Darrell Martin, who so tragically passed way one week into our filming but no doubt left a huge legacy behind him which will undoubtedly be carried fourth by his colleagues. Other memories which will stay with me forever: exploring the sacred Black Hills, observing so much wildlife in their natural habitats, looking in awe at the Crazy Horse Memorial; enjoying the historic atmosphere of Deadwood; driving through the magnificent, and deeply spiritual moonscape of Badlands National Park; taking in the sights of the Great Plains; and most of all, making new, and I hope, lifelong friends from all walks of life, from the Lakota and other Indian nations which have sanctified the land for thousands of years, to those who came after, brining their own cultures and influences.
Best of all, perhaps, was a rugged off-trail hike I took with two gentlemen from our locations department up Mount Rushmore, a unique invitation from Chief Ranger Mike Pflaum not generally available to the public. A mind-expanding, life-altering experience from beginning to end, a top of the world experience in which I proved to myself that I was more of an outdoorsman that I ever could have known!
Jarding: Tell me about an experience you had with any of the folks you met in South Dakota.
Singer: I met a lot of wonderful people during my relatively brief time in South Dakota, but perhaps the one who made the biggest impact on me was Superintendent Gerard Baker of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. This man projects so much energy, strength, passion and pride as both a Native and an American, equally proud of both, and seeking to re-infuse Indian culture and history into the Memorial, making visitors understand the magnificent culture in the Black Hills which existed long before Gutzon Borglum created his monumental sculptures. Superintendent Baker is a true giant of a man in every way.
Jarding: What do you think of South Dakota as a filming location destination?
Singer: Wonderful and experienced local crews, some of the most beautiful natural locations on earth, good hotels and remarkably polite, friendly people. How can you go wrong? Every day we left our hotel and went to work in places like Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park. Talk about great work environments.
Jarding: How has the crew’s overall experience been in South Dakota?
Singer: I’ve rarely heard a crew speak so enthusiastically of their experience in an out-of-town location. Leaving home and family for extended periods of time are always hard, but South Dakota had so much to offer, that it made the location a joy for so many of us.
Jarding: If you happen to visit with other film crews looking for a filming location destination, what would you tell them about South Dakota?
Singer: South Dakota is the place in which film companies will be welcomed with open arms by the film and business communities, as well as by the local populace. I never heard anything but hospitable remarks from the good people of Rapid City, the Black Hills and surrounding communities, who seemed genuinely excited and enthusiastic to have us there. It’s nice to spend time in a place where you feel wanted.
Singer wasn’t the only one who fell in love with South Dakota both as a filming location destination and an area with such rich culture and history.
“I couldn’t have fallen more in love with South Dakota, Rapid City and Mount Rushmore. It wasn’t just that the people were so warm or that the country was so beautiful, it was that I learned so much about the culture and history of the area,” said Jon Turteltaub, director of National Treasure: Book of Secrets. “Forget coming back to make movies, I’d come back to live here.”
National Treasure: Book of Secrets, an all-new adventure from Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films, stars Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Helen Mirren, Harvey Keitel, Ed Harris, Diane Kruger and Justin Bartha, and is the sequel to the hit 2004 film. The film is expected to be released in December 2007.
The South Dakota Film Office worked with location scouts in the fall of 2006 to pinpoint locations for National Treasure: Book of Secrets. During the film crew’s time in South Dakota, the office was available to answer questions and assist when needed.
To learn more about filming on location in South Dakota visit www.FilmSD.com or contact the South Dakota Film Office at (605) 773-3301.
The efforts of the South Dakota Film Office, a component of the South Dakota Department of Tourism and State Development, are part of Goal 1 of the 2010 initiative to double visitor spending in South Dakota. The Office of Tourism serves under the direction of Richard Benda, Secretary of the Department of Tourism and State Development.
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Contact:
Lesa Jarding
Lesa.Jarding@state.sd.us
605.773.3301 |
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