Baywatch potential move to Avalon Beach, NSW. Australia.
Andrew R. Rothwell
I've been away from the cyber waves because I've been catching
good real waves (or should that be real good waves? :-)).
This is most definitely not a joke or flame bait material. It
is for real.
We residents of the Northern Beaches and in particular Avalon,
NSW, Australia are facing a very serious potential problem.
BAYWATCH WANT TO RELOCATE THEIR ENTIRE SET AND PRODUCTION UNIT
TO AUSTRALIA. PRINCIPALLY AT AVALON BEACH. FOR SIX MONTHS OF EACH
YEAR (APRIL - OCTOBER).
Baywatch wish to film between 1-3 days per week, Monday through
Friday. They will also be filming at other beaches around Sydney.
That probably means the beaches surrounding Avalon will be used,
including Palm, Whale, Bilgola and Newport beaches.
A film permit application has been lodged with the local (Pittwater)
council for their appraisal. At Monday night's council meeting
the councillors agreed to hold a public meeting on February 24th,
at a location TBD. The meeting place/date/time, agenda and film
application will be advertised on the web at:
(http://www.pittwaterlga.com.au/home.nsf). The meeting details
will also be advertised in all the local newspapers including the
Manly Daily.
The final council meeting to decide upon whether to approve or
not baywatch's film permit application is March, 8th.
All locals who care about preserving our beach and lifestyle
as it is are urged to attend. If you wish to be further involved
please email me direct.
For all other non-locals who recognise the absurdity of
allowing a very large film producing outfit to operate in what
is a small village community please send me email registering
your concern, or simply post a reply to this note, and I'll
capture as many of the responses our usenet server picks up.
Lastly, if you have detailed knowledge of towns who have hosted
similar productions I would be very interested to hear from you
regarding the short and long term impact (good and bad) that
was generated.
We need your support now. Help us get the message out:
"No Baywatch. No way."
I'm trusting this group will make a loud and long issue of this.
Thanks,
Andrew.
Northern beaches surfer and concerned resident.
Bob Barnett
> Lastly, if you have detailed knowledge of towns who have hosted
> similar productions I would be very interested to hear from you
> regarding the short and long term impact (good and bad) that
> was generated.
I live in Santa Monica. They've taped here since forever-at least twice
weekly. There is virtually no impact on the beach, or in the surf.
Stop worrying-and try and get hired.
Andrew R. Rothwell
I'd like to point out that Avalon is hardly the equivalent of
Santa Monica. The LA beaches don't have the small community
lifestyle, atmosphere; and the geography is completely different.
Avalon and surrounding beaches are still pristine, relatively
speaking. I can still see 40 feet down. Can't even see 5 feet
at most of the LA county beaches.
I've surfed from Indicators and the Cove through Manhattan,
Redondo, El Puerto, and all the way through Topanga, Malibu
to County Line. Each one of those places is completely overrun.
It's not hard to see that Baywatch doesn't make all that much
difference, especially round Santa Monica.
Cheers,
A.
Tim
> All locals who care about preserving our beach and lifestyle....
>
> For all other non-locals who recognise the absurdity of
> allowing a very large film producing outfit to operate in what
> is a small village community please send me email registering
> your concern, or simply post a reply to this note, and I'll
> capture as many of the responses our usenet server picks up.
Bob Barnett wrote:
> Andrew R. Rothwell wrote:
>
> > Lastly, if you have detailed knowledge of towns who have hosted
> > similar productions I would be very interested to hear from you
> > regarding the short and long term impact (good and bad) that
> > was generated.
>
> I live in Santa Monica. They've taped here since forever-at least twice
> weekly. There is virtually no impact on the beach, or in the surf.
> Stop worrying-and try and get hired.
Bob, I recommend that you engage your brain before posting.
I've been to Avalon - it's wonderful. Palm trees, luxuriant slopes
all around it, almost serene. The nearby beaches, Whale, Bilgola,
are similarly blessed. Newport Beach aint bad either, even though
Mountain Man hangs out there.<g>
I haven't been to Santa Monica, but I'm not stupid. Avalon is on
another level and the thought of a big production company trampling
all over it....yeeeugh. Avalon doesn't need Baywatch, but Baywatch
seems to need Avalon. The problems that it would cause are not just
what the production company and it's hangers on would do. There would
inevitably be a huge increase in the number of tourists wanting to see
Avalon. This is what happens here in the UK, anyway. There are up to
half a million visitors a year at the locations of the most popular TV
dramas. Avalon, Palm Beach, Bilgola, etc - they would not be able to
cope with anything like that and if Baywatch were allowed to film
there, the area could never be the same again. There is no
hinterland - the northern beaches up that far, none of which are very
big, are all on the ocean side of a 5 mile long peninsular - so the
place would just clog up in no time at all.
Isn't there a problem in Thailand, with Leonardo da Caprio's latest
film "The Beach" in production, causing a huge furore? They chose one
of if not the most perfect beach in Thailand for it and ..... import
palm trees. Environmentalists and locals aren't happy with what is
being done, except for those stupid enough to accept money while their
way of life and locality is changed forever by condescending movie
moguls who think they and their wad know better.
Bob, how about campaigning for Baywatch to stay right where it is.
You could get hired?
~ Tim
Bob Barnett
>
> Bob, I recommend that you engage your brain before posting.
Cute.
I've been to Avalon-and all over the small beach towns of Eastern
Australia.
I'm not pro-movie industry.
All they do is take up a large parking lot on days they shoot at the
beach (MAYBE 2 days per week), leave nothing when they're gone, and
don't dump anything in the water.
I've surfed right in front of their set-it has no effect on anyone in
the water.
I guarantee'f'n'tee you it beats subdivisions or smokestack industries.
And I've never watched the show in my life.
This is probably all for naught anyway-they may end up at the Brisbane
studios from an article I read.
Stephen Hull
Your post brought several thoughts to mind. When I lived in LA it used to
crack me up when the film crews would arrive. Even in Southern Cali they
would arrive with phony trees at such spots as Malibu and Secos and set up
the "archetype" hollywood beach. As far as the beaches go, they rarely
caused problems for surfing, except when they took up all the parking places
which meant fewer crowds in the water. It was also very funny since a lot of
the shooting takes place early morning or evening and in early morning winter
even Malibu can get frosty. The poor models/actresses had to prance around
in their bikinis looking like they were hip and it was tropical summer beach
weather. Now that's acting!
On the other hand I have watched Santa Cruz "develop" and in my view it has
not been for the best.
Finally, as a sociologist, I have a bit of a professional interest in this so
please keep me posted.
Initial thoughts: The decision makers in your town are likely those with
strong financial interests there. (Town Council, Mayor, Media, Chamber of
Commerce, etc.) If you tell them they will have millions of dollars rolling
into town for a few months each year, attracting big investors and
developers, increasing land values, and creating a permanent tourism
draw...They will look at you with $$ $$ in their eyes and ask you what the
down side is.
You better be prepared to tell them. And tell them in the language they can
understand. What will the costs in terms of money, power/control, lifestyle,
freedom, etc. be. Also hook up with some serious environmental impact
analysts. Their reporting template has a lot of useful language and insights
not evident to those blinded by the "stars" but speaking volumes. Pressure
on public utilities and services, increased taxes, overcrowded schools. Do
it right you will not stop development forever, but your community might
adopt a rational approach to growth/change that will satisfy.
If all else fails. Beg, borrow and buy as much good land as you can and hold
on to it for a few years. You'll be able to buy your own town somewhere
else.
da hulk
"Andrew R. Rothwell" wrote:
> In <36C21A...@beachnet.com> Bob Barnett <jap...@beachnet.com> writes:
>
> >Andrew R. Rothwell wrote:
> >
> >> Lastly, if you have detailed knowledge of towns who have hosted
> >> similar productions I would be very interested to hear from you
> >> regarding the short and long term impact (good and bad) that
> >> was generated.
>
<snipped>
Andrew R. Rothwell
>Finally, as a sociologist, I have a bit of a professional interest in this so
>please keep me posted.
Sure.
>Initial thoughts: The decision makers in your town are likely those with
>strong financial interests there. (Town Council, Mayor, Media, Chamber of
>Commerce, etc.) If you tell them they will have millions of dollars rolling
>into town for a few months each year, attracting big investors and
>developers, increasing land values, and creating a permanent tourism
>draw...They will look at you with $$ $$ in their eyes and ask you what the
>down side is.
Indeed. It's a case of destroying the beauty and charm people enjoy.
It's a totally consumer oriented mindset: Buy something, enjoy it
until it's busted or your sick of it, and move onto the next
attraction. Suck it in, chew it up, and spit it out.
People are so fucking selfish. We want to preserve the entire
location, lifestyle and atmosphere. That's what people come here
for, either to live or visit, not to exploit.
Baywatch only want to be here because their show is sagging,
and they want a new environment to spice the show up. Hasselhoff
and co believe Avalon beach's "cove" with headlands at each end,
tall Norfolk pines and surf club offer the perfect set location.
And so it does. Avalon Beach is quite beautiful.
>You better be prepared to tell them. And tell them in the language they can
>understand. What will the costs in terms of money, power/control, lifestyle,
>freedom, etc. be. Also hook up with some serious environmental impact
>analysts. Their reporting template has a lot of useful language and insights
Our Save Avalon Beach group are addressing and researching all the
issues you raise. I can't say too much here, since we're presenting
at the public meeting.
>not evident to those blinded by the "stars" but speaking volumes. Pressure
>on public utilities and services, increased taxes, overcrowded schools. Do
>it right you will not stop development forever, but your community might
>adopt a rational approach to growth/change that will satisfy.
Absolutely. Avalon will and must grow. We have to manage
that growth with all the wisdom and forsight we can muster.
>If all else fails. Beg, borrow and buy as much good land as you can and hold
>on to it for a few years. You'll be able to buy your own town somewhere
>else.
Why would we want to move from what is paradise already?
There is a tremendous amount of pent up anger within the community
due to the lack of consultation, and the flagrant aggorance and
impunity with which Baywatch production have treated the community,
and the local film industry.
This will make the public meeting robust to say the least.
If council approves the film permit application, I'm certain
council and state and federal governments will wish they never
supported Baywatch. It will be a black day for everyone; something
I do not wish to see.
Cheers,
Andrew.
Cojo Point
>People are so fucking selfish
It sounds like you are selfish. Just what do you really know about this TV
show?
"Wind him up and watch him go"
Paul
Cojo Point
Tim
Paul, you've made me think. Here I go. Of course, you are right.
Baywatch is the best TV show ever known to man. Let no-one be without
gratitude. Wherever it sets foot is touched with the hand of David
Hasselhof. Praise be. All life is shown on my TV. My TV is life.
I turn my head to the screen and thank it for my existence.
~ Tim
\ the media controls your mind? \
\ the media needs you! \
\ but you do not need the media \
\ turn it off and switch yourself back on \
Andrew R. Rothwell
>>From: arot...@cisco.com (Andrew R. Rothwell)
>>People are so fucking selfish
>It sounds like you are selfish. Just what do you really know about this TV
>show?
Here's a couple of corkers:
1. Greg Bonnan, baywatch producer whisked into town for four days
last week to schmooze with (among people/groups) the federal government,
seeking funding to produce the show here. Excuse me? This TV show
is one of the most syndicated and wealthy shows around. What gall.
2. The baywatch producer also cited (in all seriousness) one of the benefits
of bringing baywatch to Australia as: "Well, you have so many drownings in
Australia, baywatch could teach you how to save lives." Of course the
baywatch produer was a one time life-guard, so the story goes, so he's
really informed. A silicon implanted bimbo telling the surf life saving
movement in Australia to suck eggs? Ah-huh. We cracked up laughing.
Homer Simpson would make a better surf lifesaving role model mate.
3. When the baywatch production company was asked for face to face
meetings with us to discuss social, environmental and economic
impact, we were refused. Our letters haven't been responded to.
Nothing.
>"Wind him up and watch him go"
How's that to start with?
Andrew.
>Paul
>Cojo Point
james...@aimimage.com
> allowing a very large film producing outfit to operate in what
> is a small village community please send me email registering
> your concern, or simply post a reply to this note, and I'll
> capture as many of the responses our usenet server picks up.
>
> similar productions I would be very interested to hear from you
> regarding the short and long term impact (good and bad) that
> was generated.
>
>
> "No Baywatch. No way."
>
> I'm trusting this group will make a loud and long issue of this.
>
> Thanks,
> Andrew.
> Northern beaches surfer and concerned resident.
>
to Australia. I need phone nos, any community literature etc --- my phone no
is 0044 171 916 3734 fax no is 0044171 209 0244. I do look forward to hearing
from you. james
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
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Tim
is one of the main stories. They're still asleep in Oz!
What follows is complete and unabridged. There is a quote from Mark
Warren about half-way in.
What do you do if you are a small
community on the edge of town and
a big-time Hollywood producer
knocks on your door and says he
wants to bring the most popular
television show in the world, a show
that embodies all the glamour and
excitement of Hollywood into your
place?
Avalon isn't sure.
Last year, the cast of Baywatch dropped in on the northern peninsula
to shoot two episodes and the executive producer, Greg Bonann, liked
the place so much he decided to move there permanently - pack up the
stars, the producers and slinky cossies and move from Malibu
California to Avalon Australia.
Since then, Avalon, population 9,200, has been debating whether to
answer the call from a Hollywood series that is watched by a billion
people each week in 141 countries and carries a purse of $18 million a
year. The community ruptured this week when, on Monday, Baywatch
formally submitted its application for permission to film on Avalon
Beach to Pittwater Council. The application to film over six months
this winter was the first foray of what the Hollywood producer hopes
will be a six-year stay in Australia.
But according to members of the Anti-Baywatch Action group, Baywatch
staff were heavy-handed during last year's shooting, patrolling the
beach in black outfits and walkie-talkies, frogmarching a surfer off
the beach and telling boys playing on the community skateboard ramp to
be quiet because stars were taking an afternoon nap in the vans.
Says one organiser of the protest, Karen Johns: "We're used to Home
and Away but they use only three trucks and mostly use the far end of
Palm Beach. Baywatch had 15 trucks and, frankly, they had a Hollywood
approach, thinking they were God's gift to the area and put a lot of
people off."Now, Avalon Surf Club, future home to Baywatch, has its
new coat of Hollywood colours graffitied. It has divided the community
because this is not just a turf war. This is a philosophical divide
that has forced residents to define what they are. In the cafes,
hairdressers, pool and parking bays of Avalon, residents have been
debating whether their area is a treasure that should reap the
benefits of worldwide attention or a beach community that would prefer
the world stop short at the Bilgola bends of Barrenjoey Road.
"It hasn't just divided it, it's fractured it," says Mark Warren,
former champion surfer, resident and broadcaster. "I've lived on the
northern beaches virtually all my life and I've never seen anything
divide the community like this.
"Greg Bonann has already said if there isn't community support, he'll
go elsewhere. He should see the writing on the wall now and go to
Mexico."
Bonann, speaking from Los Angeles, was clearly shocked by the protest.
"In my heart, I don't want to crash the party. I don't want to call up
and say, 'Can't we come?' If we are not wanted, then we will not be
there. There's no way I'd commit Americans and Australians to a place
where we're not wanted."
Despite rumbles from residents and a petition that was gathering more
than 700 signatures, Baywatch began negotiating with the Avalon Surf
Club for rights to use the club. Like most surf clubs reliant on
collection-bucket financing, it was thrilled at the offer of a big
cheque. Says club captain Roger Sayers: "Baywatch approached us and
offered to help us and we will will talk to anyone who offers to help
us."
Baywatch has already repainted the building, it will pay fees for its
use, and will upgrade the basic gym to a first-class facility with
sauna.
With the Surf Club on side, Baywatch then approached the Federal
Minister for Sport and Tourism, Ms Kelly, for assistance to transfer
the show to Australia. After a meeting between Bonann and the minister
last week, the matter was referred to the Australian Tourist
Commission. It should decide within a week or two whether to grant
Baywatch funding, which is understood to be more than $1 million - the
biggest ever assistance of its kind.
By the time Bonann flew out of Sydney last weekend, he required only
permission from Pittwater Council. But within hours of Monday night's
meeting, protesters learnt of the submission and attended in time to
convince councillors that a public meeting should be held at least two
weeks before they discussed the application. By Wednesday night, the
action group had swelled to 30 and by the end of the week the council
had booked a hall with capacity for 1,000 and were expecting to fill
it on February 24.
Says Pittwater's recreational reserve manager Les Munn: "It's a very,
very emotional issue. If it was an Australian product, there wouldn't
be a problem. It's because it's Baywatch and it's American and they
don't want Avalon to be turned into another Venice Beach." In the
lead-up to the public meeting, there will be leaflet drops, mainstream
media advertisements, an Internetsite established, T-shirts printed,
local media campaigns and political lobbying by both sides.
Bonann believes the protesters are "very non-Australian. These are
people who don't want to share things, like surfers who don't want to
share their wave. If I could be the only guy out there surfing, I'd
think it would be great too, but it's not my wave, it's not my beach,
it's the public's beach."
HeeeeeadrushhH
: >From: arot...@cisco.com (Andrew R. Rothwell)
: >People are so fucking selfish
: It sounds like you are selfish. Just what do you really know about this TV
: show?
: "Wind him up and watch him go"
: Paul
: Cojo Point
Uhhhh. Yeah. Its a great show. Cool fighter planes and kung fu fight
scenes. Wait. This isn't that crappy lifeguard show right?
Tim
> In alt.surfing, on Thu, 11 Feb 1999 10:41:38 GMT Tim
> <inner...@clarach.netkonect.co.uk>, wrote:
>
>
> >Isn't there a problem in Thailand, with Leonardo da Caprio's latest
> >film "The Beach" in production, causing a huge furore? They chose one
> >of if not the most perfect beach in Thailand for it and ..... import
> >palm trees. Environmentalists and locals aren't happy with what is
> >being done, except for those stupid enough to accept money while their
> >way of life and locality is changed forever by condescending movie
> >moguls who think they and their wad know better.
>
> <duh> didn't you know Tim, it's not a real paradise island if it
> doesn't have palm trees...
>
> I saw the Production Co. droid spouting about how much marine litter
> they had removed, probably true and a good thing, but independent pre
> and post EIA would be interesting reading.
Yes, but would the islanders want to be part of an _experiment_?
Amazing coincidence no. 397. 'Pipeline News', the newsletter of the
British surfers environmental organisation (SAS, the campaign for
clean seas) popped through my letterbox this morning. And waddyaknow,
Leonardo DiCaprio's film makes it to the first page, their editorial!
"We'll quote the Guardian of the 6th of January which featured a
picture of said actor:
" "The esteemed Surfers Against Sewage have grown from nothing to one
of Britain's most effective eco-campaigners in the past five years
partly because they have kept their principles intact. Recently they
had the chance to globalise their campaign for clean seas and a
pristine marine environment with 20th Century Fox offering to put
their symbols on rucksacks of the actors for the new Leonardo DiCaprio
movie, The Beach. SAS refused because the Hollywood producers
insisted on grubbing up the scrub, moving the dunes and planting
hundreds of new trees on beautiful Phi Phi Lay Island in Thailand."
"Later in the same paper it was reported that the Lawyers' Association
of Thailand is planning to sue Rupert Murdoch's 20th Century Fox and
local officials in an attempt to halt the shooting of the film. The
world isn't a huge great film set for the taking - Murdoch's got
enough money to custom build a beach in Hollywood! Global
Solidarity!"
Maybe in time Avalon Surf Club will join in that solidarity instead of
just taking the money?
KD
>
>We residents of the Northern Beaches and in particular Avalon,
>NSW, Australia are facing a very serious potential problem.
>
>BAYWATCH WANT TO RELOCATE THEIR ENTIRE SET AND PRODUCTION UNIT
>TO AUSTRALIA. PRINCIPALLY AT AVALON BEACH. FOR SIX MONTHS OF EACH
>YEAR (APRIL - OCTOBER).
According to today (Weds) SMH, the producers are now looking at the
gold coast due to a feeling of not being wanted Avalon way.
If this is true, well done people!
Kieren
remove aarrgh to reply
Tim
This story has just made it to BBC Radio 1 (national chart music
station). Transcribed verbatim from their 15 minute lunchtime news
bulletin:
[intro. missed]
...opposition of local residents, who say filming will mean traffic
chaos and it'll attract hordes of tourists and stargazers to their
community. From Avalon, Newsbeat's David Grossman:
Avalon Beach, 30 miles north of Sydney, is a little slice of
perfection....
[cue sound of gently breaking waves]
...surf, sand and hardly a soul around. And that's just the way the
local's like it. But if the makers of Baywatch have their way, this
could become the most famous beach in the world.
[cue music...."some people stand in the darkness".... dum di dum...]
Those beautiful Baywatch types it seems are bored of California and
want to move production to Avalon. Baywatch creator Greg Bonnen:
"We've made 200 episodes of Baywatch over the past nine years in Los
Angeles and it's been fantastic. I can't think of anything else to do
there. I always thought that if I ran out of things to do in LA
wouldn't this be a great place to come down and do stories here."
Some businesses want the show to come saying it will help trade. But
many of Avalon's 8000 residents are dead-set against. 23yo Tully has
been surfing Avalon's breakers from about the time he could walk:
[cue more wave sounds..]
"I don't think it's gonna be good along the lines of how many people
are gonna be coming here, naming our beach to the world and basically
putting us on the map. Most of us don't wanna be on the map, that's
why we choose to live in such a nice area."
The show's producers have started a public relations drive designed to
calm fears. It began with a public meeting in Avalon today. But Paul
of the Save Avalon Beach Campaign is not impressed:
"They don't care about this community tuppence. This community to
them is nothing more than a resource that they use to make money."
Part of the problem is that Baywatch filmed a test episode at Avalon
late last year. And locals complain of being ordered around by
bully-boy security guards who closed the beach.
[Tully:] "No one has the right to say that at all, especially coming
from America."
And teenagers using the skate park say they were thrown off, because
the stars in their caravans needed their afternoon nap.
[Skateboarding teenagers:] "We're not allowed to use the
skateboard..." "Yeah, their big thug security guards come and they
kick us off it."
[Bonnen:] "I find it hard to believe that it was really that big of a
thing and I certainly was never made aware of it, so it's probably
something that's been blown out of proportion."
The local Council will take about 10 days to decide if Baywatch can
use the beach. And in case you're thinking it wouldn't be too bad
having Baywatch babes in your town, residents aren't too impressed
about them, either.
[Tully:] "We're pretty used to good-lookin' girls around here and
Baywatch ain't gonna make a difference."
[End]
Alvin G Donovan III
> And in case you're thinking it wouldn't be too bad
> having Baywatch babes in your town, residents aren't too impressed
> about them, either.
> [Tully:] "We're pretty used to good-lookin' girls around here and
> Baywatch ain't gonna make a difference."
>
Especially since those American girls have this perverted habit of
covering their breasts when they go to the beach :-)
KD
moved up to QLD to speak to the state government there who have been
fluttering their eyelids at them for some days now.
I say send them up to Fraser island, and fake a few dingo savagings,
should solve the probem...