Parker: Film scout works to bring Denver to big screen

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Wednesday, August 2, 2006

If you like seeing Denver getting "face time" on the silver screen, you can thank in part Greg Babcock, a professional location scout.

Babcock donated a day of his time a few months ago to director Rod Lurie and some of the crew that filmed scenes here on Monday for the movie Resurrecting the Champ.

"He took the director scouting in Denver," said Kevin Shand, the newly appointed executive director of the Colorado Film Commission. "Based on that, they decided to come back and shoot part of the movie here."

Shand was on hand during the shoot at Elway's Steakhouse in Cherry Creek. While most of the film was shot in Calgary, including scenes with star Samuel L. Jackson, the movie left Canada to wrap with a final day of shooting in Denver.

Co-star and chick magnet Josh Hartnett, who plays an aspiring sports writer, and 6-year-old Canadian actor Dakota Goyo, played a scene involving former Broncos superstar John Elway.

The resurrected Colorado Film Commission - which was dark for three years without funding - acts as a liaison between the production company and the "community as a whole," Shand said.

Shand moved here from central California, where he was the film commissioner for Stanislaus County. He took over after Martin Cuff resigned and moved to South Africa in May. One of Cuff's reasons for leaving: the commission's measly annual budget of $500,000 to entice filmmakers here. It's a fact Shand must live with, he said, even if neighboring states spend more.

"I understand that New Mexico alone spends eight to 10 million in incentives."

NO RESPECT: Jill Kobe, general manager at Aspen Grove and Tamarac Square, is beginning to feel like the Susan Lucci of the shopping center world. She has been nominated three times for the coveted International Council of Shopping Centers Maxi Award - the Oscars of the shopping center industry - for her mall marketing programs, but each time she has lost out.

This year the awards ceremony is in Chicago, and Kobe has been nominated for the family film festival she produced at Aspen Grove, 7301 S. Santa Fe Drive (at West Mineral Avenue) - the only Colorado shopping center to be nominated. Her competition includes a mall in Torino, Italy, the host city for the Winter Olympics.

"First they get the Olympics, and now they might steal an award from Aspen Grove," Kobe said.

While the marketing maven can't guarantee a win, she can at least look darn good losing. She is on the hunt for the perfect little black dress so she will at least look like a winner on the runway.

Stay tuned for the results in September.

KEY ADDITION: Mangia, a newish Italian eatery in Idaho Springs, is looking for a piano man or woman who can play a variety of music and accompany guests who want to croon in the restaurant's piano bar, which is opening by Sept. 1. "Singing skills a plus," says co-owner Cyndy Morreale. If you're interested in the gig, call Cyndy or Sam Morreale, 303-567-4371.

EAVESDROPPING on a woman at Elway's: "Sam's Club is the only place where you can buy sushi and designer jeans in the same place."

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-892-5224 or e-mail parkerp@RockyMountainNews.com.