CONYERS — Part of Olde Town Conyers will be closed to traffic next week as taping starts for a movie starring Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah and Kris Kristofferson.
Film crews have already begun setting up for scenes for the upcoming movie “Joyful Noise,” a comedy about a small-town choir group. Alcon Entertainment is producing the film.
Conyers Main Street Manager Monica Coffin advised residents, merchants and visitors to be aware of road closures and traffic delays during the filming.
Preparations for filming began this week and will continue from Tuesday, Feb. 22, through the first part of the day Wednesday. Actual filming will take place from noon to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24. Cleanup will last two hours at the end of each day. Commercial Street will be blocked off both of these days from 6 a.m. until cleanup is completed. Center Street will be closed as needed on both Wednesday and Thursday.
Coffin said there will be intermittent traffic interruptions on Railroad and Green streets.
The parking spaces along Commercial Street from EGABA to the vacant old city hall building beside Brown Wealth Management will be used for trucks hauling needed equipments and supplies for the movie.
Alternative parking for the public will include Bank Street, the city parking lot located at Carter’s Alley, and the parking lot off Travis Street.
“We will be placing signs out to assist visitors with their parking needs,” Coffin said.
She said the film crew is paying the city for costs of off-duty police officers for traffic control during filming and the city’s public works and transportation department for sign needs. Various merchants are also being compensated for building use.
“The citizens of our community will also benefit from this filming project because of the positive impact to our local economy,” Coffin said. “Staff for the project will be staying in our hotels and patronizing our restaurants and retail establishments.”
She cautioned that scheduling could change due to the weather, but there will be an effort to stay on schedule.
Cleanup and restoration efforts will take place Feb. 25 through March 1.
