New Hollywood business owners Charro Brotman and Barrett Windish of the Octopus Garden Club, or the OGC, in Downtown Hollywood will soon see their club featured in a major Hollywood movie featuring stars like Alec Baldwin, Catherine Zeta Jones, Tom Cruise, Paul Giamatti and Russell Brand.
“Rock of Ages,” a Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema production, will feature scenes filmed at the OGC and will feature one of the club’s bartenders, Gerry McLoon, as well. The New Line Cinema Crew transformed the bar both inside and out with 1980s décor last month to get it ready for the movie and Windish couldn’t be happier.
“I was told it is the largest budget movie to ever be filmed in Florida,” he said, adding the movie will also film in Miami and other parts of Southern Florida. “The notoriety for my business is a cool thing, but anything going on in Downtown is great for all the businesses here.”
The film is an adaptation of the hit Broadway musical that tells the story of a small town girl who meets a big city rocker in LA’s most famous rock club and that features classic music from the ‘80s, including Journey, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison and Whitesnake. They will shoot the movie this month, and the film is slated to release in July 2012.
Windish, who moved from California to Hollywood three months ago and who has experience with film production, said he got involved in the production because he was seeking out independent movies and local television shows to feature his bar for publicity. He then found out someone had already been scouting his bar, but he had no idea it was for such a huge production.
“We’re completely thrilled,” he succinctly said.
In the film, the OGC will be called “Boardners Cocktails.”
The Octopus Garden Club features live bands, independent film debut nights, live experimental music and karaoke, and they are now launching their kitchen, featuring gourmet hot dogs, spicy fries and cheese steaks, as well as vegetarian options.
