Paltrow Plays The Singer
Used to be Tim McGraw would joke about his second job as an actor. As recently as a few weeks back during a visit to the Jay Leno Show he said it didn’t pay enough (compared to his singing). One wonders if all that has changed after the major success of “The Blind Side” that is already accumulating Oscar Buzz for Sandra Bullock. She already won a People’s Choice award.
Now McGraw starts filming Love Don’t Let Me Down with Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow. Production starts this week and some of the filming is said to be taking place on the McGraw property.
With the production announcing a $15 Million dollar price tag it is doubtful this one is Tim’s big payday… but Paltrow is a heavy hitter so his next role may be even bigger.
Check the official details below via TN.gov.
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission Executive Director Perry Gibson announced that production begins this week in Nashville on the Screen Gems feature film Love Don’t Let Me Down. The $15 million project stars Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow, country music superstar Tim McGraw, Leighton Meester (Gossip Girl) and Garrett Hedlund (Friday Night Lights).
The production company is aiming to hire local residents for almost 75 percent of the film’s crew and 90 percent of the film’s cast. More than 50 Tennessee crew members have already been put to work in a variety of jobs such as camera operators, assistant directors, grips, electricians, sound mixers, casting directors, location managers, stuntmen, set decorators, prop masters, hair and make-up artists, costumers and transportation coordinators.
“I am thrilled the director and producers of Love Don’t Let Me Down have chosen Nashville and its residents to help bring their story to life,” said Gibson. “Having a production of this magnitude in our state will provide a significant number of jobs for our production community and the project’s spending will provide a real boost to the local economy.”
Pre-production began in November of 2009 and principal photography is expected to last through the first week of March. Post-production will continue through April 1.
A significant number of Tennessee companies stand to benefit during Love Don’t Let Me Down’s five month stay in Middle Tennessee. Office space has been rented since November, along with rehearsal and recording studio space. Other businesses to be utilized include office supply companies, rental car agencies, grocery stores, caterers, dry cleaners, florists, printers, security firms, waste management and more.
The project is expected to qualify for a 32 percent refund of qualified expenses incurred in the state through a combination of incentives offered by the Film Commission and the Tennessee Department of Revenue. To qualify, at least $1 million must be spent by the production on Tennessee residents and Tennessee vendors. The production company hopes to spend $7-8 million during its stay and budgets must be audited before incentive payments can be released.
Writer and director Shana Feste describes the film’s story as one revolving around “a rising young singer-songwriter (Hedlund) who becomes involved with a fallen country singer (Paltrow). As they embark on a career resurrection tour with her husband and manager (McGraw) and a beauty queen-turned-singer (Meester), romantic entanglements and old demons threaten to derail them all.”
The movie’s producers include actor Tobey McGuire.
