Date: Fri 04-Oct-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Mel-Gibson-Conspiracy-Theory

Full Text:

Newtown Again Auditions For Hollywood

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Hollywood filmmakers have returned to the area seeking a site for a new movie

and Newtown is reportedly among the producers' top choices.

Bert Brown of the state's film office in Hartford said Warner Brothers Studio

of Burbank, Calif. has been scouting the area in search of a town that would

allow helicopters to land within its borders.

The name of the action movie is Conspiracy Theory , which will star Mel Gibson

and be directed by Richard Donner, according to Liz Stocker, the town's

community development director,

Mrs Stocker said producers were in town this week seeking an estate house with

a horse barn and a large field to land helicopters on.

"The helicopters are going to land and the actors are going to get out and run

to a house on the property," Mrs Stocker explained.

Last year's filming of Sleepers at Fairfield Hills Hospital was the talk of

the town. The motion picture, starring Robert DeNiro, Brad Pitt, Dustin

Hoffmann and Kevin Bacon, is expected to be released by Warner Brothers

nationwide October 18.

Apparently, Newtown was not Warner Brothers' first choice. The studio company

had sought permission to film the movie in another town in Connecticut, but

was reportedly denied a permit Monday. Since then, their interest in Newtown

has grown, according to town officials.

Rita Macmillan of the town's Planning & Zoning office said the landing of

helicopters is not a use in the current zoning regulations, and the town does

not have an ordinance prohibiting such activity.

Newtown has been a hotbed for moviemakers lately. Rick Onorato, the son of

Newtown Middle School Assistant Principal Nancy Onorato, is reportedly in town

this month to film Pink Pumpkins at Dawn , according to Pat Linnell, a realtor

for Curtiss and Crandon Realty.

The "no budget movie" is supposed to be a sad love story that shows how easily

lives can be changed in just a few moments.

Mrs Linnell has been looking for homes in Newtown to use for the movie's

filming.

Rick Onorato, a producer/director from New York City, apparently chose Newtown

for its country setting. He was unavailable for comment Thursday morning.