Disney Pictures- "Wild Hogs" at DVinfo.net

Bill Ravens · February 8th, 2007, 09:53 AM

Last summer, Disney Pictures filmed "Wild Hogs" in the town where I live. Madrid, New Mexico was looking forward to the income it would generate in their town, because Madrid is a small tourist trap sorta place, that was once a large coal producer back in the 1940's. These days, local arts and crafts shops line the main street thru town. Typical western US ghost town, trying to rise from the dead.

As it turns out, Disney Pictures completely over-ran this town, blocked the street for hours, created massive traffic jams and otherwise totally disrupted life in Madrid. Many of the merchants ended up losing a great deal of critical, summer business because of the disruption caused by Disney Pictures. Disney was totally insensitive to the problems they caused. Ah, well, a lesson learned. Disney wanted to use a pristine area of national forest wetlands for a scene where Macey, Travolta, and Allen went skinnydippin' in a pond. After the USFS denied their permit, they built their own pond for the shoot.

To add insult to injury, the trailers and media information coming out about the movie, to be released March 3rd, looks like this movie will be a real loser. A note about personal experience, Travolta was pretty much of a "star"...inaccessible and arrogant. Rumor has it that one night, Travolta and Val Kilmer, a local resident and friend of Travolta's, dropped close to $2000 in the local tavern. William Macey and Tim Allen were true gentlemen, an honor to their profession.

New Mexico state government is working very hard to create tax incentives and to promote the movie industry in this state. There are new sound stages being built in Albuquerque and NM looks like a future film industry is coming our way. Anyone who is pondering such an arrangment with a movie studio like Disney, should carefully think about all the ramifications.

Chris Luker · February 8th, 2007, 12:52 PM

Sounds like the city should have thought about the ramifications a bit more before this all happened.
If you can't take the pain, don't ask for the spanking... huh?
I need sleep.

Bill Ravens · February 8th, 2007, 12:57 PM

No, admittedly, the village was gullible and taken advantage of. Nothing to do but lick our wounds and move on. Still, that doesn't stop me from warning anyone else pondering sleeping with satan. I fail to understand why taking advantage of someone's vulnerability is anything to have any pride in, whatsoever.

...and this is the Mickey Mouse Club I was raised with.....hardly!!

February 8th, 2007, 09:53 AM	#1
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	Disney Pictures- "Wild Hogs" Last summer, Disney Pictures filmed "Wild Hogs" in the town where I live. Madrid, New Mexico was looking forward to the income it would generate in their town, because Madrid is a small tourist trap sorta place, that was once a large coal producer back in the 1940's. These days, local arts and crafts shops line the main street thru town. Typical western US ghost town, trying to rise from the dead. As it turns out, Disney Pictures completely over-ran this town, blocked the street for hours, created massive traffic jams and otherwise totally disrupted life in Madrid. Many of the merchants ended up losing a great deal of critical, summer business because of the disruption caused by Disney Pictures. Disney was totally insensitive to the problems they caused. Ah, well, a lesson learned. Disney wanted to use a pristine area of national forest wetlands for a scene where Macey, Travolta, and Allen went skinnydippin' in a pond. After the USFS denied their permit, they built their own pond for the shoot. To add insult to injury, the trailers and media information coming out about the movie, to be released March 3rd, looks like this movie will be a real loser. A note about personal experience, Travolta was pretty much of a "star"...inaccessible and arrogant. Rumor has it that one night, Travolta and Val Kilmer, a local resident and friend of Travolta's, dropped close to $2000 in the local tavern. William Macey and Tim Allen were true gentlemen, an honor to their profession. New Mexico state government is working very hard to create tax incentives and to promote the movie industry in this state. There are new sound stages being built in Albuquerque and NM looks like a future film industry is coming our way. Anyone who is pondering such an arrangment with a movie studio like Disney, should carefully think about all the ramifications. Last edited by Bill Ravens; February 8th, 2007 at 01:43 PM.

February 8th, 2007, 12:57 PM	#3
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	No, admittedly, the village was gullible and taken advantage of. Nothing to do but lick our wounds and move on. Still, that doesn't stop me from warning anyone else pondering sleeping with satan. I fail to understand why taking advantage of someone's vulnerability is anything to have any pride in, whatsoever. ...and this is the Mickey Mouse Club I was raised with.....hardly!! Last edited by Bill Ravens; February 8th, 2007 at 01:33 PM.

February 8th, 2007, 12:52 PM	#2
Chris Luker Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Woods Cross, Utah Posts: 310	Sounds like the city should have thought about the ramifications a bit more before this all happened. If you can't take the pain, don't ask for the spanking... huh? I need sleep.