LTC 224-2017 FX American Crime Story Versace FilmingMIAMIBEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 224-2017
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Philip Levine and Membersf the C y Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manage
DATE: May 1, 2017
SUBJECT: FX "American Crime Story: Vers e" Filming
This letter serves to inform the Mayor and Commission of extensive Miami Beach -based
production activity for the coming third season of FX network's "American Crime Story" limited
series, focusing on the 1997 murder of Gianni Versace by Andrew Cunanan and the
subsequent police investigation and man -hunt. The producers of this show are coming off of the
Emmy -winning first season of this series, "The People v. O.J. Simpson." Ryan Murphy, a
University of Miami graduate and alumni of The Miami Herald, who is a television legend having
produced "Nip/Tuck," "American Horror Story," and "Glee," is the primary producer of this series,
as well as one of the directors of the segments filmed here. The series features Edgar Ramirez,
Penelope Cruz, Darren Criss and Ricky Martin.
Production will take place in Miami Beach from Tuesday, May 2, 2017 through Thursday, May
18, 2017. The production will then relocate to Los Angeles, California for interiors and other
location filming, due to the lack of state incentives in Florida, which California is providing. The
Miami Beach locations are as follows:
• Ocean Surf Hotel (7500 block of Ocean Terrace) — May 2, 3, 14
• 14 Street Restroom/ 12 Street beach — May 4
• Casa Casuarina (1100 block of Ocean Drive) — May 5, 9-12, 15-18
• News Cafe/ 8 Street beach — May 8
As part of the production needs, and to maintain the integrity of the 1997 period in which the
story occurred, the production has worked with the City's Film Office, Police Department,
Parking Department, Parks Department, Property Management, Transportation, Public Works,
the City's concessionaire Boucher Brothers, the Ocean Drive Association, and directly impacted
businesses, as this will have impacts on the filming areas. This will include:
• Full closures, lane reductions and Intermittent Traffic Control (ITC) coordinated
by Police for the 7500 block of Ocean Terrace, the 1100 block of Ocean Drive,
the 100 blocks of 75 Street, 11 Street and 8 Street, for filming and preparation
uses. This will include the removal of anachronistic Park Mobile signs, relocation
of affected valet operation and providing alternative Freight Loading Zone spaces
nearby where displacement was needed.
• Closure of the 14 Street public restroom from May 3 — 5, in order to stage and
restore the location with a prop toilet and graffiti for the filming use. During the
closure, the production will provide regular and ADA portolets in the area and
have signage directing the public to the 10th Street restroom.
• Simulated gunfire and violence, as well as police, SWAT and media reaction
when they portray the crime itself, taking place on May 9.
• Production base camp parking of trucks, trailers, tenting, etc. in the Lummus
Park areas north and south of 10th Street, with Police escort and following the
City's Vehicle Access Pass policy.
The City is thrilled to have this quality production film here, in keeping with the Commission and
Administration's desires to remain film friendly and competitive towards attracting more
production work. Despite this portraying a dark episode in the City's history, the primary focus of
the series is on the hard-working Miami Beach and Miami -Dade Police Departments, which
were able to quickly solve the crime, find and stop the perpetrator before any other crimes were
committed, all amid international coverage.
qi,4Eva Silverstein, Director, Tourism Culture and Economic Development
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