MACON, Ga. — Nearly five years after filmmakers exploded a bus in downtown Macon, the county is warning another film company to play it safe -- and tell the truth.
ORIGINAL STORY: Movie explosion mistake damages downtown Macon buildings
The new group is setting up downtown to film for the next two weeks -- apparently for the HBO series "Lovecraft Country."
According to contracts between Bibb County and Random Productions LLC, the filmmakers plan unspecified "pyrotechnics" in the downtown.
But the county is requiring extra precautions this time -- and warning the filmmakers against misleading them.
An amendment to the contract states, "The county has prior experience with being defrauded by film production teams who have discussed in advance the use of small-scale minimal-impact pyrotechnic events, but then deployed large and dangerous explosive events."
They're referring to the January 2015 explosion when makers of "The 5th Wave" blew up a bus at the intersection of Cotton Avenue and Second Street.
The blast blew out some windows on the street, wrecked several storefronts and caused thousands of dollars in damage.
Bibb County officials said they weren't warned about the explosion.
This time, the county's contract with Random Productions includes some stern warnings and special precautions. It says:
- The filmmakers understand "the seriousness and dangerousness" of misleading the county about the explosion.
- Filmmakers will get an additional $20 million in liability insurance to cover any damage or lost business income.
- Representatives of Random's locations and special-effects departments must be on the scene before and after the blast and available to the Macon-Bibb fire marshal. "The 5th Wave" crew set off the explosion early on a Sunday morning, on the final night of filming. County officials complained that film-company representatives had left town the next day before the extent of the damage was known.
- The fire marshal can modify or cancel the pyrotechnics if they're unsafe.
County spokesman Chris Floore says the "pyrotechnics" will be controlled propane flames.
He said the fire department has met with Random Production's crew several times.
Fire-safety officers will be on hand and can shut down filming "at a moment's notice" if the special effects are different than what was discussed, Floore said.
Filming will take place within a few steps of "The 5th Wave" explosion. Their schedule includes street closings on Second Street and Cotton Avenue and Mulberry Street Lane, running through Nov. 15.
Random will pay the county $6,750 for the street closings, plus additional fees for equipment rental, security costs and use of other county workers.
Reporter Ashlyn Webb will have more on the filming in 13WMAZ News at 6.
STAY ALERT | Download our FREE app now to receive breaking news and weather alerts. You can find the app on the Apple Store and Google Play.
STAY UPDATED | Click here to subscribe to our Midday Minute newsletter and receive the latest headlines and information in your inbox every day.
Have a news tip? Email news@13wmaz.com, or visit our Facebook page.