“Get Hard” Films Nights in Windsor Square

Two nights of filming on the corner of Plymouth Bl and 4th Street in Windsor Square July 1st and 2nd turned the corner into a faux prison set for the film “Get Hard” starring Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart. When millionaire James King, played by Ferrell, is nailed for fraud and bound for San Quentin, he turns to Kevin Hart’s character,  the guy who washes his cars, to prep him for his time behind bars.

A comedy by director Etan Cohen (best known as writer for “Tropic Thunder” and “Men In Black 3”) the production installed a partial chain link fence along the sidewalk with the sign “California State Prison: Bel Air Division” making many passersby smile at the incongruity of that alone!

The Notice of Filming for the shoot detailed “simulated bullet effects, night exterior shots, … prop electrified fence around front yard, six dogs (Chihuahuas), …simple fuse to fence to make the fence appear electrified when touched by actors” had some residents worried the unusual 4:30pm to 6 am production schedule would cause sleepless nights as cacophony reigned on the normally quiet street. That was not the case however.

“Honestly, I didn’t hear a single thing all evening,” a resident across the intersection told the Buzz.  “The worst of if from our perspective was a bit of traffic congestion during the daytime as they set up.”

A neighbor directly next door agreed, saying her family wasn’t bothered by the filming either.  “The only slight inconvenience was the lack of street parking. I am happy that the jobs on this shoot stayed here in Los angeles. It’s good for all of us. It is less intrusive than a neighbor doing construction.”

Support trucks holding camera, props and lighting equipment were parked along 4th, but the remainder of crew parking, and the wardrobe, hair, makeup and actors’ trailers were all parked blocks away on Wilshire in the parking lot of the United Methodist Church. Meals and craft services were also at the church. We spotted Will Ferrell in the lot chatting with a group of people as the sun set on Tuesday evening during the crew’s break for lunch.

“I agree that the film crew did an extremely good job of being sensitive to the neighborhood and keeping the noise down,” Plymouth Blvd resident John Welborne told the Buzz. “That said, it really was an intrusion on the neighborhood, and there are good reasons that location filming in single-family residential districts is not allowed to go beyond 10 p.m., or thereabouts. It is really important that this not become a precedent.”

“Get Hard” is scheduled for release in March 2015.