Lights, Camera, Action: 'The Returned' Begins Filming Today

Update, 1:20 p.m.

Patch bloger Leigh Broschat has posted photos and a short write-up on the first day of shooting. Check it out at the link.
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Don't be surprised if you see more hustle and bustle than normal in Norcross today: A production company is in downtown to film a television show pilot for ABC.

For the last week, film crews have been prepping for the supernatural drama "The Returned" at the Pafford home, also known as the Garner home, at 566 N. Peachtree St. The residence has gone through some renovations such as lighting and greenery inside and out since Wednesday, March 13, which was originally planned as the first day of shooting. Patch blogger Leigh Broschat has been posting daily entries and photos of some of the renovations.

FTP Productions will officially begin shooting the pilot Tuesday, March 19, and will continue through the week. Filming will take place mostly at the Pafford home, but the crew also plans to capture some downtown businesses, street traffic and neighbors surrounding the residence.

The schedule for production will take place during the day, with the exception of one night scene. As noted in the special called meeting earlier this month with the Norcross City Council, production is not expected to take place after 7 p.m. on most nights, with the exception of 9 p.m. on one night.

No roads would shut down during production, but there is one scene that will require a portion of the road to be blocked off for a short period of time. Off-duty Norcross Police officers will be on site to assist with traffic control, and no stunts or explosives are planned during shooting, so don't expect noise control issues.

Additionally, the production company will have its equipment trucks and production vehicles parked at Norcross First Baptist Church and Peachtree Oak Drive.

Just because the pilot is being filmed for ABC does not necessarily mean the show will air on television, though. Dozens of pilots are filmed for the fall, but only some make it to prime time. If ABC picks "The Returned" for television, there is the possibility that the show will come back to film in Norcross.

As for the actual premise of the show, "The Returned" is about a child who went missing 30 years ago and landed in a small village in China, according to the Norcross permit application for the shooting. "He is 'returned' to his small mid-America town having not aged at all," continues the description.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that "Covert Affairs" actress Devin Kelley and Matt Craven of "NCIS," "X-Men: First Class" and "Justified" will star in the pilot.

"The Returned" is based on a novel by Jason Mott and penned by Aaron Zelman of "Criminal Minds," according to the Hollywood Reporter. Brillstein Entertainment and Brad Pitt's Plan B have been listed as part of the executive production team. Charles McDougall, who's directed episodes for "The Office" and "Sex and the City," will direct the pilot.

Have you passed by the film crews today? Tell us about it in the comments below or upload a photo above.

See also:

• Production Company to Film TV Pilot in Norcross
• Filming of 'The Returned' Begins in Two Days
• Serious Landscaping at the Historic Garner Home for Filming
• Filming for TV Pilot Delayed in Norcross

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