Globe-Miami has been a longtime destination for film productions. This area is known for beautiful backdrops and unmatched character — which keeps directors and producers coming back.
Molly Cornwell-Thompson, general manager of the Globe Downtown Association, serves as the region’s film liaison. From assisting with locations and reservations to being the first friendly face to greet visitors, Cornwell-Thompson plays a central role in keeping Globe-Miami film-friendly.
One of the area’s most sought-after filming locations is the 1916 Train Depot Complex & Museum, which Cornwell-Thompson also manages.
A film crew was in the midst of shooting the short film “The Last Train” at the depot last September. Cornwell-Thompson said director Jeff Lane had been to Globe for the filming of “The Dog Bite Murders” and he “fell in love with the depot.”
The crew was planning to return for final scenes, and then the floods hit. The depot received catastrophic damage and production was halted, along with other films and events the venue was expected to host.
The recovery process was overwhelming, Cornwell-Thompson said. Everything from the freight office had to lay out to dry while the drywall was ripped out in the museum.
However, in the process, “beautiful photographic negatives were uncovered, hidden away for us to find,” she added. “Who knew we would have such beautiful lemonade out of the lemons. We like to think of it as Kip [Culver] leaving us a gift to make up for anything that we lost.”
With help from volunteers and financial donations, the depot has gradually been restored. The push to reopen was swift, driven by a full calendar of bookings.
“We rushed like crazy people to get her back and running because of all of our bookings,” Cornwell-Thompson said. “Thank the heavens our new heater and AC unit is working perfectly.”
With the depot repaired, the film crews have returned. Final scenes of “The Last Train” were filmed Nov. 1. It was the first film project to utilize the space post-flood.
Another production also had been filming just before the flood. The band Arsenic Kitchen had been shooting their music video “Devil’s Advocate.” They still had some finishing touches to add and were able to get in the same week “The Last Train” team was back in the building.
Things are almost back to normal at the depot. Cornwell-Thompson said they made “great strides” with getting it ready.
“We still have some minor things at the passenger station to still take care of, and of course major things next door at the museum, but it’s going to help us put things back together to be more film-friendly in that space as well,” she said.
The 110-year-old building is ready to be booked again.
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