Movie Starring Mark Wahlberg to Film Scenes in the South End

Hollywood is coming to the South End.

The producers of Ted, an R-rated comedy starring Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis, plan to film several days’ worth of scenes along Chandler and St. Charles streets. Filming would take place on May 18 and 19, with many scenes shot late into the night, film company representatives said Tuesday.

Although actors’ schedules are still being formulated, current plans call for filming to take place from 6 – 11 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18 and from 1 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 19. Set-up and break-down would take place from as early as 7 a.m. on both days to as late as 3 a.m. on Thursday.

Jeff MacLean, who spoke at Tuesday night’s Ellis Neighborhood Association meeting on behalf of the film, said the late hours are necessary due to the amount of scenes that need to be shot in darkness.

“It’s really just a matter of the amount of scenes that are filmed at night,” he said. “I realize that’s incredibly late.”

The movie, created by Seth MacFarlane of Family Guy fame, follows a man whose teddy bear comes to life as a result of a childhood wish. Wahlberg plays the main character and Kunis is his girlfriend.

During filming, roughly three blocks surrounding the Chandler/St. Charles street intersection would be roped off for scenes, according to a map produced by MacLean. In addition:

• Work trucks would occupy approximately 39 parking spaces along Columbus Avenue between Berkeley and Clarendon streets as well as 29 spaces along Berkeley Street between Columbus and Appleton streets. 
• Additional work trucks would occupy 15 spaces at the end of Chandler Street near the Animal Rescue League.
• A base camp would be set up along Marginal Road on the opposite side of the Mass Pike, taking up roughly 64 parking spaces.
• Catering trucks set up along Tremont Street in front of the Castle Square apartment complex would take up an additional 16 spaces.

In an effort to appease residents affected by parking shortages, MacLean and assistant location manager Ryan Cook offered 24-hour parking passes to a nearby garage. To avoid confusion, Cook passed out his cell phone number and said he would deliver passes to anyone that needs one. Leaflets with similar information will be delivered to the neighborhood before filming begins.

“I’m a 24-hour-operation,” Cook said. “Even if it’s 1:00 in the morning I will come to your door and give you a pass.”

All trash and debris left behind by the crew will be picked up after Thursday’s wrap, Cook said. Both he and MacLean promised minimal headaches for neighbors.

“I plan on doing this for a long time,” MacLean said. “I don’t take these things lightly. I’m here to do this so we can come back.”

Neighbors with interest in the movie would be considered “VIPs” during filming, Cook added.

“We always attract a crowd, especially with Mark Walhberg, but we keep them back,” he said. “You guys are a different story. You’re more than welcome to walk around.”

Residents in attendance Tuesday night requested that a written agreement be signed by the film company outlining details discussed in the meeting. While some remained wary of the arrangement, former board member Steve Murphy was upbeat.

“I’m looking forward to seeing my house in a movie,” he said. ”I understand we’d like things to happen correctly but I’d like to see it happen.”