Mojave Airport offers unique filming location
Mojave Desert News - 04/30/2009
By Bill Deaver
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Future pilot visits Mojave - Daniel Elmore, grandson of Mojave Chamber of Commerce President Rheta Scott, was among the many visitors who enjoyed spectacular weather at last Saturday's Plane Crazy Saturday at the Mojave Airport/Spaceport. The airplane behind Daniel is Mark Street's Pitts Special aerobatic aircraft, which was the featured airplane at the event. The photo of Daniel was taken by Bill Deaver, who used Photoshop to give it the appearance of a painting. |
MOJAVE — The Mojave Airport/Spaceport offers a unique location for movie, television, and commercial filming and more should be done to promote it to the industry, the East Kern Airport District board of directors learned Tuesday. Erika Westawski, the district's financial manager, told board members that she and EKAD executive secretary Debbie Roth visited a film industry location show in Santa Monica recently. The annual show showcases filming locations in an effort to attract business to their communities.
"No one there was showcasing what we have here at Mojave Airport/Spaceport," Westawski said. "We need to have a booth at the show next year!" Board members and EKAD General Manager Stu Witt agreed.
When Westawski suggested that the district set aside ten percent of this year's filming revenues to promote the airport, Witt said he believes 20 percent would be more realistic. "Especially in this market." "If we're going to do it, we need to do it right," Witt said.
Competition increasing
"Other states, including New Mexico, are competing for what has long been a California industry, noted board member Marie Walker. "Were within a day's drive from L.A., and within the industry's union zone," Witt added.
Filming benefits not only the airport district, which charges rent to film crews, but also local businesses, especially hotels, motels, restaurants and service stations. Local hardware and other stores supply parts and other last-minute items to film crews.
East Kern has been a background for movies since the industry began at sites like Red Rock Canyon, Willow Springs, and, since the end of World War II, the Mojave Airport. Scenes from many major films, including Waterworld, Flags of Our Fathers, and others have been shot here along with commercials.
The airport maintains a "reflecting pool" on the airport which can be filled with water for shots that show off new cars.
Board President Jim Balentine suggested that the district upgrade its website to promote filming. JoAnn Painter agreed said, "What we spend (to promote the airport) will not be wasted."
"We have this niche and we need to promote it," Westawski said. That will begin in earnest soon, the board agreed.
State land
In other business, Witt reported that state Senator Roy Ashburn is carrying a bill to transfer a large parcel of land left over from building the Highway 58 freeway to the district. The parcel is located on the east side of the airport near the freeway.
Energy firms
Witt also reported that he continues to work with two firms interested in developing alternative energy projects on the airport.
A solar firm expects to have a project ready for consideration at the board's next meeting, and another firm wants to develop a system that uses water to create power.
Witt said that Innovative Systems Technology of Santa Barbara wants to install a water well on the airport that could generate power using the firm's technology. Witt said the well could also potentially be a source of additional water for the airport.
And he reported that two antelope were spotted grazing on the north side of the airport Monday, proving, as someone said, "that we are really in the Antelope Valley!"