Route 209 use approved to film HBO series with Mark Ruffalo
Filming of highway scenes is for miniseries ‘I Know This Much is True’
The Ulster Town Board has endorsed a request by HBO to shut down a four-mile stretch of U.S. Route 209 for 12- to 24-hour periods in April, June and August during filming of a planned miniseries starring Mark Ruffalo.
The filming of highway scenes for the miniseries “I Know This Much is True,” starring Ruffalo (“Avengers”, “Spotlight”), a resident of Sullivan County, was discussed at a Town Board meeting Thursday. Board members said the production could contribute to the local economy.
“Most of this (production) is actually taking place in Poughkeepsie,” town Councilman John Morrow said. “When it comes to our phase up here, their staff should frequent our businesses.”
Morrow suggested the town request to be included in the credits and talk to the producers about using local lodging.
The proposed section of Route 209 to be used would be in both directions from state Route 28 to Sawkill Road on April 23, June 3, and August 1.
State Department of Transportation officials have proposed using Sawkill Road as a detour.
An email to the town from the production team describes the scenes as follows:
• April 23: “A school bus taking kids on a school field trip is pulled over on the shoulder of the interstate when it is discovered a kid is locked in the bathroom. Period cars driving by, possibly in both directions. Possibly one direction.”
• June 3: “Our hero characters, both played by Ruffalo on two different days, pull over on the interstate. Period cars driving by. Stunt: An actor runs across both (sides) of the highway and median and ends
up in a field nearby. Stunt: A daydream in which one of the brothers is hit by a car. Ideally looking for a stretch that we could drive on for 3-5 minutes before the pullover.
• Aug. 1 would involve the same scenes as the June 3 shooting.
According to the state Department of Transportation, “approximately 17,200 vehicles would be displaced” by a 12-hour detour for the requested section of Route 209.
The production company is also holding a casting call Feb. 23 in Poughkeepsie.
Information is available on the Hudson Valley Film Commission’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pg/hudsonvalleyfilmcommission/ posts/?ref=page_internal.