City Turns Into Set for Television Movie

More than 100 cast and crew members turned Fillmore into, well, Fillmore, for an upcoming television movie.

“Ties That Bind,” a two-hour feature starring Jane Seymour, is tentatively set to air on CBS during sweeps week in late February.

Seymour plays a happily married woman who discovers she has had amnesia and works to uncover a former life that includes three children and an ex-husband who had her kidnapped during a child-custody battle.

The actress said Wednesday that she has enjoyed her stay in Fillmore.

“I’ve never been here before--it’s beautiful,” she said.

Crew members have been in Fillmore since Monday for a portion of the 18-day shoot, filming at locales such as Fillmore High School and the Piru Mansion. Wednesday’s filming required the city to close parts of Central Avenue near Sespe Street for a parade scene set during Fillmore’s springtime Orange Festival, featuring the Fillmore High School band.

Fillmore has pursued such projects through its local Film Commission. For the city and downtown businesses, the hassle of closing Central Avenue during the Christmas season has been alleviated by the economic benefits that a large production crew can bring to retailers. Executive Producer Barry Weitz estimated that the crew will have spent more than $150,000 in town this week.

City film permits also will have given an $18,000 boost to Fillmore’s coffers.

“They come in, buy balloons and buy cards,” Fillmore Flower Shop owner Janet Foy said. “This one’s good because they’re using the Fillmore name, too. I think that’s kind of cool.”