The filming of August Wilson’s “Fences” in Pittsburgh generated $9.4 million locally, including the hiring of more than 900 local workers and the payment of $5.6 million in wages, according to Paramount Pictures.
The film spent 146 days on location, including 54 days of shooting in the Hill, the West End, the Strip District and other Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
Director and star Denzel Washington spent days of preparation in Pittsburgh, including viewing the Teenie Harris photograph collection at the Carnegie Museum of Art. Mr. Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play and screenplay are set in the 1950s, and Mr. Washington consulted the archive for an authentic look to the film.
The budget for “Fences” has been reported at $24 million. In its first two weeks of wide release, starting on Christmas Day, “Fences” has earned $34 million domestically, according to Box Office Mojo.
According to Paramount, the hires included extras, security, office personnel and more, and more than $900,000 was spent on local rentals and purchases for set decoration, production and other supplies.
The film studio reported that other production spending in the region included: Nearly $700,000 on transportation, including truck and car rentals; more than $380,000 on catering and other food items; more than $360,000 on lodging and more than $100,000 on hardware and lumber supplies.
“Pennsylvania’s commitment to maintaining a competitive production environment continues to benefit their local businesses, individuals, and families,” former Sen. Chris Dodd, the Motion Picture Association of America chairman and CEO, said in a statement.
Paramount’s film “Fences” not only highlights local spots in Pittsburgh on the big screen, it also has brought significant economic gain to the area — thanks, in part, to the play’s original writer and Pittsburgh native, August Wilson.
Sharon Eberson: seberson@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1960. Twitter: @SEberson_pg.
First Published: January 5, 2017, 3:00 p.m.
