"The Blacklist" Filming a Success in Pleasantville

Locals were excited when camera crews began arriving in downtown Pleasantville last week and local officials say the several hours of set-up, filming and clean-up went smoothly.

"The changed some facades and some of the merchants were concerned about parking, but we worked on it," said Village Administrator Patricia Dwyer. "They brought their own cones and signs and paid for the police and meters. There was no fiscal input [from the village].

Dwyer said NBC agreed to pay the $750/day rate to the village for the filming, which took place last Saturday morning. Set-up began the evening prior with some signs indicating no parking spots on Washington Avenue and Manville Road.

Chief of Police Richard Love said the television executives paid three police officers each $150/hour in overtime over a six-hour period and all went smoothly during the day.

The new drama series, starring James Spader, needed a village with a "sweet" feel for the scene filmed last week, according to Assistant Location Manager James McCauley.

The crews also utilized Breaking Ground Dance Center on Castleton Street to shoot a scene.

"I hope we can see those scenes in the pilot," said Dwyer.