OCEAN BEACH, CA. Residents of Ocean Beach appear to be divided on the issue of having film and video crews in Ocean Beach. We have recently heard a number of complaints about the loss of parking, the rudeness of the security guys for the film crews, and so forth.
So, for a week, starting on August 21st, we ran a poll:
Do you think having film crews on the streets of OB is a positive thing for the community?
We had 83 respondents. Here are the results:
40% or 33 votes answered: Sure, good for our image and brings money to the community.
12%, or 10 votes thought: Yes, it’s okay – can’t hurt.
This 52% of our respondents – roughly half – are all for having film crews.
Another 10%, 8 votes, were more ambivalent and checked: Depends on what they’re filming.
Only 10% or 8 votes were totally opposed to film crews and answered: No, it’s a disruption to our serene community that no one here asked for. We lose parking and quiet.
However, a large faction – 29% – 24 voters – were opposed unless the community got something in return, and checked: No, not unless the production crew gives something to the community in return.
So, 39% opposed the film crews, with most of them willing to allow them if they gave something tangible back to OB – which at this time, they do not.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
what’s up with that picture? is it that movie making is supposed to be a moooving experience?
maybe it’s to show that the film crews treat obceans like the guys in the pic treat their subjects. just a thought.
Even though I voted “No, not unless the production crew gives something to the community in return”, the choice I was really looking for, YES, as long as the production crew gives something to the community in return.
I’m having the same problem with this week’s poll as I don’t see any choices that coincide with what I feel.
My answer to this week’s poll would be; Yes, even though I don’t think we need more Government telling us what we can and can’t do, and am not in favor of the ban, I really like how there’s now less traffic and litter during the major holidays when the out-of-towners invade our community.
Less fun at the beach? C’mon now…. ;)
Dave – but your choice choice doesn’t exist. The film crews NEVER give anything back. So “Yes as long as the production crew …” has never existed, I’d go as far to say. Thanks OR Bag to keep it all on the reality level.
OK Joe, but I’m still voting “Yes” on “No” ;)
OB Joe and others, just for the record I really dig Frank, Patty, Doug, Anna and the whole crew, but I’m able to see both sides of an issue and usually weigh in on what’s best for everybody, not just those who agree or disagree with me. Yes, by the grace of God I do lead a charmed life.
I don’t like spin though, left or right. Imho, keeping it real is keeping straight down the middle. That’s fine if the Rag doesn’t want to post questions that just anyone can answer. If there’s nothing I agree with, (like this week’s) I just won’t vote…no skin off my nose.
As for “The film crews NEVER give anything back” I’d be hard pressed to believe that not a single dollar has come back as a result of their being here but I’ve got a lead on this and will get back to you on it.
As for them being rude, what separates them from the out-of-towners who block our driveways and litter up our town? If people don’t start engaging each other in civil conversation then what do we have left? I have a problem with people who play the victim card, I’m not one and don’t expect others to buy into it either.
As for reality? We all make our own. No one’s is more “real” than another’s, but I do know this, if someone doesn’t like their own “reality” they’d better change it and change it fast, because my fellow OBceans, this life isn’t a dress rehearsal, and nobody’s leaving this planet with a U-Haul….
Hey Dave – coming into this late, appreciate your thoughts. And plus I think everyone having the same viewpoint is boring. So, help us keep it “real” – be patient, if you know something – teach it, and if you don’t know something – learn.
There is a way for us to post the poll with a space for the reader to write something in. Patty will check into it, I hope.
I agree with Dave to some extent on not being able to really agree with poll options, but I like the fact that at least some solid numbers regarding readership views are established, even if they’re not ‘exactly’ representative of how people are feeling. Then at the end of the week, I can come back to justify my vote (and expand enough to put it into context), and see how others do the same.
I went with “Depends on what they’re filming.” Ambivalent? Certainly. But here’s the rub, and maybe I’m stretching this a bit and should’ve been focused on strictly commercial prime-time soap-type thing like we’ve dealt with twice now in the last year: I’d be cool with someone shooting a documentary, or an action sports video – something that doesn’t have to alter the character of the neighborhood and kick out all the locals to create this fake “OB” to film. I heard some guys from a long-running BMX street video series stopped by Robb Field for a few hours the other day – did anyone even notice?
Oh, and for purely selfish reasons I don’t want anything glorifying the real OB in the eyes of anyone who doesn’t know this place exists.
PSD – thanks for clarifying the nuances and layers here, that “film crew” is not necessarily that of a for-profit enterprise doing a pumped-up faux-OB glorified version of the community – some would even call it “pimping off OB” – versus a doc or sports vid.
I asked one of our neighbors who lives here in O.B. and who also had their house used for filming by the “Terriers” crew whether or not they were compensated by the producers.
They told me that while, “yes they were, due to a confidentiality clause they could not discuss the details of it”…but yes they do live here and they were paid.