Movie technicians scout the intersection of Market and Jefferson Streets in downtown Kittanning in preparation for the filming of the next installment of the Netflix MindHunter series in mid-August.
Be prepared to take an alternate route in and out of Kittanning for several days.
Kittanning has been chosen as the site for more episodes of the Netflix serial, Manhunt Lone Wolf. The show is now in its second series and wants to transform Kittanning into Murphy, North Carolina.
“The drama focuses on the 1996 bombing on the Atlanta Olympic games,” Location Manager Ken Jackson told Kittanning Borough Council in a June public meeting. In this part of the series, we are focusing on the eventual apprehension of the perpetrator. Murphy, North Carolina was where he was eventually apprehended.”
The production of Kittanning’s part in the episode will take place August 12-13.
“The main area that will be impacted are the Kittanning (Citizen’s) Bridge,” said Kittanning Police Chief Bruce Mathews. Mathews has been working with the production officials and said a full closure of the bridge will occur from early Monday morning, August 12, and remained closed until Tuesday evening, August 13. No traffic will be permitted across the bridge. Mathews said detour signs will be in place to re-route traffic in and out of Kittanning using the Graff Bridge.
Mathews also said the intersection of Market and South Jefferson Street will be impacted during the production.
Lions Gate production staff discuss how the Kozy Cafe and the intersection of Market and South Jefferson Street will be used when the film crew arrives August 12-13.
“They are planning on using the old Kozy Cafe on the corner in the show,” Mathews said. “They will be periodically closing down that intersection and down Market Street to the bridge, and down South Jefferson Street to Jacob Street, but most of the filming will take place inside the building.”
Mathews said that Tuesday night, the film crew will move to Orr Avenue to the Kittanning Church of God.
“The 1300 block of Orr Avenue will have interruptions and detours on Tuesday evening.”
Kittanning will travel back in time to 1996, with some signage being changed on businesses and period-specific vehicles being brought in Sunday evening to park in parking spaces for the shots.
Last week, the production crew and directors visited Kittanning to look at how staging could be accomplished. Mathews said Kittanning is continually chosen for productions because of the architecture of the bridge.
“The bridge is the drawing factor with the old girders. As bridges are being replaced, everything is jersey-barrier sides. Pennsylvania, with tax credits, is a big incentive to bring productions here. The bridge has got us on the radar with film companies almost every time.”
Mathews said that this isn’t the final time we will see the film crew.
“Once this scene is done, there is a follow-up scene that has to be shot or else they will end up scrapping several episodes. They will have a return trip here before this season is over.”
No date has been established for the return visit.