DW Studios Productions is set to begin filming scenes for the upcoming motion picture "Transformers 3" in the Central Business District. Location managers are working with the the City of Chicago Film Office and other agencies to coordinate six weeks of filming that will occur throughout the CBD.
The Studios are attempting to accommodate businesses to allow them to remain open during the filming and is working with property managers of buildings in the area to facilitate tenant access to their properties.
Several scenes will be filmed on LaSalle Street and in the Financial District on July 10th and 11th. In addition, an aerial photography unit will be flying in the vicinity of both Willis Tower and East Randolph Street and Daley Bicentennial Plaza. Closures and parking restrictions will be in effect as follows:
Streets that will be permitted for "No Parking" from 6:00PM on Friday, July 9th through 5:00AM on Monday, July 12th:
- Both sides of LaSalle from Lake to Jackson
- Both sides of Randolph from Wells to Clark
- Both sides of Washington from Wells to Clark
- Both sides of Madison from Wells to Clark
- Both sides of Monroe from Wells to Clark
- Both sides of Adams from Wells to Clark
- Both sides of Jackson from Wells to Clark
- West side of Clark from Lake to Congress
- Both sides of Franklin from Lake to Randolph
Streets that will be permitted for "No Parking" from 4:00PM on July 9th through 5:00AM on Monday July 12th:
- Both sides of Wells from Randolph to Jackson
LaSalle Street will be closed from Jackson to Wacker from 8:00 PM, Friday on July 9th through 5:00AM on Monday, July 12th.
Washington will be closed between Wells and Clark, and Randolph will be closed from Wells to Wacker from 6:00AM on Saturday, July 10th through 5:00 AM on Monday, July 12th.
Brief intermittent closures of intersecting streets (Jackson, Adams, Madison & Monroe) are to be expected.
The Chicago Fire Department and Chicago Police Department will supervise the use of special effects and pyrotechnics, including: simulated gunfire, smoke, fireballs, and explosions.
There will be low flying helicopters in the area on Saturday, July 10th and Sunday July 11th between the hours of 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Helicopters will be used for both aerial photography and stunt parachutists in the vicinity of Willis Tower, LaSalle Street and the Financial District, and East Randolph Street and Daley Bicentennial Plaza. When the helicopter is in the area there will be "Public Assistants" asking people to stay off of LaSalle Street for a few moments while the helicopter passes. Buildings have been encouraged to notify tenants and customers about this activity.
The studio is working closely with the Chicago Film Office, Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department and FAA to ensure a safe and enjoyable filming experience. Buildings that may know of any events, construction projects or other circumstances, scheduled for this time frame that may be affected by our filming are asked to call Patrick Muldoon at 312-213-3820.
One of the principal locations in the film is Michigan Avenue
in the vicinity of the Chicago River. Three days of filming has approved for this area:
- Friday July 16th,
- Saturday July 17th and
- Sunday July 18th.
In order to accommodate the large-scale production, as well as maintain a safe perimeter around special effects scenes, a portion of Michigan Avenue will be closed beginning at 8pm on Thursday, July 15th. The Avenue will reopen at 5am on Monday, July 19th.