A film shoot nearly cancelled COVID-19 testing at downtown LA's Union Station today or did it?
FilmLA insists it "did not, and never would, seek the closure of a city-operated COVID-19 testing center to accommodate filming."
The agency, which issues filming permits, says in a statement that the testing company Curative "did cancel and seek to reschedule all [Dec. 1] appointments, however this action was not taken at the request of anyone connected to the film production."
KTown for All and other groups took to social media to decry the cancellations.
After it was revealed that movie being filmed at Union Station is called "He's All That," critics of LA Mayor Eric Garcetti targetted him with the hashtag He's Not All That.
A Garcetti spokesperson says in a statement when the property management company for Union Station notified them that the testing kiosk had to close for a film shoot, staff immediately began efforts to keep it open.
The testing kiosk is open today.
We have reached out to Curative for comment. On Tuesday afternoon Miranda Gottlieb, VP of Marketing, sent an emailed statement to reporter Claudia Peschiutta:
"Curative's Union Station testing site will be opened today, December 1st, to all patients who have signed up for an appointment as well as any walk-up appointments that the site allows for. To clarify any previous confusion, we are confirming the site will be open for normal operation today. For more information on Curative's testing sites across Los Angeles County and more information on our tests, please visit curative.com."
Full statement from FilmLA to reporter Claudia Peschiutta below:
"We wanted to clear up some misunderstanding related to filming taking place today at Union Station and the operations of a City-sponsored COVID-19 testing center also working from the property.
First, it should be known that the testing center is open and available to serve the public on 12/1. This center is one of many operated by Curative, in partnership with the City of Los Angeles.
A film production is also present at Union Station today, filming on one area of the property with a medium-sized cast and crew with valid permission from the City.
Meanwhile, the station is open to the public and continues to serve the needs of transit riders.
Mid-day on Monday, word began circulating that Curative had halted testing center operations on 12/1, in order to accommodate a filming event at Union Station. This was partially true: before moving to reopen, Curative did cancel and seek to reschedule all 12/1 appointments, however this action was not taken at the request of anyone connected to the film production.
FilmLA first learned of the testing site's closure Monday evening, after community members reached out to express their concern. We were disappointed by what we learned, and immediately helped escalate the situation to City attention.
FilmLA did not, and never would, seek the closure of a City-operated COVID-19 testing center to accommodate filming. Neither we, the City permit authority or the production company asked or directed that this be done at Union Station. Today more than ever, is a time for filmmakers to keep the needs of the community in mind.
We are appreciative of the community members who brought the issue to City attention, and also to Mayor Garcetti, his staff and Curative for their efforts to quickly reopen the center."