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Fake movie explosions are real annoyance for neighbors

It’s become routine: film crews taking over portions of Atlanta streets. But just a few feet away from the Kirkwood Neighborhood, a new movie is in production, and not everyone is excited about it.

Working film crew (FILE).

UPDATE: Neighbors say after our story aired and complaints were reviewed, production for the movie on Monday night will end early at 11 p.m.

ATLANTA – It’s become routine: film crews taking over portions of Atlanta streets. But just a few feet away from the Kirkwood neighborhood, a new movie is in production, and not everyone is excited about it.

Crews are shooting the movie “Baby Driver,” and neighbors say they've had enough with the middle-of-the-night explosions and stadium lights piercing throughout their homes.

“(It’s been) one explosion after another,” said resident Dennis Coburn. “Every half-an-hour or 45 minutes, we’ve got a huge explosion.”

On a whim, Coburn says he spent a night at his rental property in Kirkwood, just a stone’s throw away from the film’s set. He says at first, he thought the loud boom was just a one-time thing, but then, the explosions just kept coming.

“Midnight, 1 o’clock, 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock,” he said. “Finally, about 4:30 in the morning I thought, ‘Well, that's it. I’m not going to get any sleep. I might as well just get up.’”

Coburn is a former actor and understands what is needed to make a movie, but he says this project has become a nuisance.

He says bright stadium lights used to illuminate the sets have caused another issue: “You could barely drive down the street from the light."

Each production company is required to post notices with some of the permit details, and in many cases, there's a name and contact number to reach someone from the production team.

11Alive’s LaTasha Givens went to the area and found that legal notices were posted on two properties, but not all.

On Monday, a representative with "Baby Driver" responded to 11Alive's request for comment and said that they were made aware of some complaints. The rep also said a "financial contribution" was made to the neighborhood, but that steps will be taken to make sure residents are happy.

Production notice for "Baby Driver" posted near Kirkwood neighborhood.

The rep also said they sent 400 notices before filming started in the area. Coburn says he never received notifications about the production.

“Those guys are getting paid to lose sleep all night long,” he said. “None of the people on this street, in this neighborhood, is getting paid to lose sleep all night long.”

The representative said crews would be filming from 8 p.m. Monday night to 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, but would "cease gunfire at a decent hour so residents can sleep peacefully."

11Alive reached out to the City of Atlanta in regards to the noise complaints and a spokesperson says this complaint is the only one that's been brought forward so far.

The city says the production company does have a monthly permit that's issued by the mayor's Office of Film and Entertainment Hotline, which outlines how long productions companies can take to complete a film project. The City of Atlanta says its Code Enforcement Division is looking into the complaint.

FULL STATEMENT:

The production company does have a monthly permit issued by the City of Atlanta, which outlines how long production companies can take to complete a film project. This project is required to adhere to all ordinances as it relates to noise in local neighborhoods.As of right now, the only complaint about noise from the production company has come from your inquiry. The City of Atlanta Code Enforcement division is investigating the complaint. Residents who wish to complain can call the Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment Hotline at 404-295-0630.

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