Denver to get some screen time in upcoming Netflix movie

3 min. read
On set during the production of “Amateur,” a Netflix feature film being shot at Regis University. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite) filmmaking; set; film; tv; production; kevinjbeaty; denver; denverite; regis university; colorado;

A new movie about an aspiring basketball star was filming Friday at Regis University in Denver ahead of its Netflix premiere.

The movie isn't linked to big names like Robert Redford or Jane Fonda, but Colorado is still shelling out some cash to have "The Amateur" filmed in Denver.

The film company was offered less than a quarter of the $1.5 million the state approved Thursday to get "Our Souls At Night" filmed in Colorado. The movie is based on a novel by Colorado author Kent Haruf and is set to star Redford and Fonda.

In September, Amateur 5 Inc. was approved $260,726 in incentives through The Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media. The company registered in Colorado in March is associated with Mandalay Entertainment Group.

The Los Angeles-based entertainment company is the producer of "When the Game Stands Tall," "The Kids are Alright" and "I Know What You Did Last Summer."

"The Amateur" is headed by director Ryan K. Boo. The film focuses on what happens after a video of a 13-year-old basketball player goes viral and he is declared to be "the next Dwayne Wade."

"With his newfound fame, he must choose between educational institutes, father figures, and belief systems," according to the film's website.

It's rare for large scale filming to take place in Denver. Most TV shows and movies film B-roll shots of buildings, streets and landmarks, said Grace Ramirez, community affairs liaison for the city's Office of Special Events.

Notable projects shot in Denver in 2016
DateNameProjectFilm
Jan-28Shark TankTV ShowB-Roll
Mar-12Deadly WomenTV ShowB-Roll
Mar-31Under ArmorCommercialB-Roll
Apr-4GatoradeCommercialB-Roll
Apr-5Blue Collar MillionaireTV ShowB-Roll
May-6America's GameTV ShowB-Roll
May-17ReebokCatalogStill Photo Shoot
May-21Kia MotorsCommercialFilm Shoot
May-28Hyundai GenesisCommercialFilm Shoot
Jun-3Food PornTV ShowB-Roll
Jun-5TraumaTV ShowB-Roll
Jun-9Deadline: CrimeTV ShowB-Roll
Jun-13TraumaTV ShowB-Roll
Jun-21ToyotaCommercialB-Roll
Jun-23Deadline: CrimeTV ShowB-Roll
Jul-13Chevy CruzeCommercialFilm Shoot
Jul-14State Of MindTV ShowB-Roll
Jul-15TraumaTV ShowB-Roll
Jul-19ChoppedTV ShowB-Roll
Jul-27Shark TankTV ShowB-Roll
Jul-28The BachelorTV ShowB-Roll
Aug-1Dr. Jeff Rocky Mountain Vet 3TV ShowB-Roll
Sep-19Holmes Buys HomesTV ShowB-Roll
Source: Denver Office of Special Events (Adrian D. Garcia/Denverite)

Film crews need a city permit to shoot public spaces. "The Amateur" may feature some shots of Denver Public Schools property and the Denver Coliseum, according to the application the company filed with the city July 14.

"We are filming 25 days, not all in Denver. The majority of the filming will be on private property. There will be a few days that we would need lane closure and interment traffic control," the application states.

It's unclear when "The Amateur" will hit TV screens and laptops. The company didn't respond to interview requests.

Business & data reporter Adrian D. Garcia can be reached via email at [email protected] or twitter.com/adriandgarcia.

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