The Story
John Adams Miniseries to be Filmed in Colonial Williamsburg, Potentially College
After more than three centuries of significant and poignant historical events, finally SOMETHING is happening in Colonial Williamsburg.
Tom Hanks, Academy Award-winning actor turned producer, and Playtone, the production company that he co-owns with partner Gary Goetzman, have decided on Williamsburgs historical district as the location for the filming of a miniseries entitled John Adams, which will air on HBO in 2007. Colonial Williamsburg was chosen over both Philadelphia and the real John Adams hometown of Boston as the site of the filming, which will also take place around Richmond and at various sites in Europe.
As its name implies, John Adams will chronicle the life of the second U.S. president. It is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of the same name by popular author and historian David McCullough, who has ties to both Colonial Williamsburg and the College.
According to a press release made Friday by HBO, the ten part miniseries will follow both the birth of the United States and the first 50 years of its history. HBO Films has indicated that the series will also incoporate the love story between Adams and his wife Abigail, as well as the tulmutuous relationship between fellow patriot Thomas Jefferson.
There has even been talk about filming parts of the miniseries on campus.
"We are in discussion with Tom Hanks's production company about the possible use of the Wren Building," said Bill Walker, Associate Vice President for Public Affairs at the College. "Although no firm dates for filming have been set, we look forward to cooperating with the producers so that they may be able to use our facilities to advance this intriguing project."
According to a press release from Governor Warners Office, the project will not only be the largest ever filmed in Williamsburg, but in all of Virginia. The immediate economic impact of the project has been estimated at more than $60 million.
"When I met with Tom Hanks and his team last March, I made the case that Virginia's historic resources and our experienced film crews and acting community made Virginia the obvious choice for this project," said Gov. Warner. "This miniseries will help secure Virginia's reputation as a premier location for American historical film projects, and it also serves as a strong validation of our local film industry."
In addition, given the high profile of the miniseries, John Adams is expected to heighten public interest in American history and encourage tourism to Williamsburgs Historic District. Jim Bradley of the Public Relations Department of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation explains that the organization hopes the project will further its mission by educating the public about early American history and raising public awareness.
"The foundation looks at this as an opportunity to tell a story of early America that we dont usually get to tell," Bradley explains. As it is usually confined to telling the story of Jefferson and other Virginians, "this opportunity to add to the total picture of early American history is exciting to the foundation."
But members of the Colonial Williamsburg staff are not the only ones to recognize the historical importance of the project. According to Bradley, the Playtone production staff has shown a "deep respect to historical importance of the story. This is not just entertainment for them."
Bradley points out that the mini-series, which will consist of ten episodes, will require the production equivalent of five feature motion pictures. This means a lot of work for Tom Hanks and his team, but also for the Colonial Williamsburg staff.
"Its a lot of work, but enjoyable work" says Bradley. "Its kind of fun."
The major challenges include not only finding locations for filming, but for the activity that takes place off camera.
"For example," Bradley asks "Where do you park a dozen tracker trailers full of equipment?" This is one of the many "very complicated logistics issues" that the foundation faces as it attempts to tell the story of John Adams without sacrificing the atmosphere of the historic district for its visitors.
Filming is scheduled to start around September 19th. According to Bradley, the production staff has looked at dozens of locations around CW. The first episode, for example, will feature shots around Bruton Parish Church and of parts of Duke of Glouster Street made to resemble 18th century Braintree, Massachusetts.
This episode will be filmed over several days during the last week in September and the first week in October and, according to Bradley, includes a "fairly extensive set of George Washington and the Continental Army encamped at Harvard College." This set will be created on the lawn in front of the Public Hospital and, because it is a winter scene, will likely include artificial snow.
John Adams will not be Colonial Williamsburgs first film. Extensive portions of the 1970's miniseries "George Washington" starring Barry Bostwick were filmed in the area. More recently, Carters Grove was a set for the 2002 feature film "Cold Mountain." The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation regularly recieves filming requests from producers of commercials, documentaries, and movies.