CHICO — The most popular movie in the country picked up some of its “need for speed” in Butte County.
In 2019, Paramount Pictures reached out to Chief Operating Officer Alicia Rock at Northgate Aviation Chico Jet Center looking for people to work with and space for aircraft. Although she didn’t know it at the time, she would be helping in the production of the film “Top Gun: Maverick,” which stars Tom Cruise and continues the story of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell originated in 1986’s “Top Gun.” The film hit most theatres across the United States on Friday, May 27, 2022, and the buzz hasn’t stopped since.
“When I finally got the contract and saw that it was Paramount Pictures, I thought to myself, ‘Wow, so this is real,’ ” said Rock.
Over the course of a few weeks, members of the film crew were stationed at the 19,000 square foot hangar that is owned and operated by the Rock family. During their stay, the staff used a conference room that had a 1,200 square foot whiteboard that they used to storyboard and sequence their shoots for the day. Although the team did not include any of the actors, it did consist of pilots who were going to be doing the flying for the shots.
“Our facility could accommodate both at very competitive rates, so they decided to come stay with us,” said Rock.
One key selling point that put Northgate Aviation at an advantage was how accommodating the jet center was with the team. During the team’s stay, Rock was willing to change the locks of the doors to the conference room to give the crew confidential access.
“One thing that is really important for us as a family business to remember that this crew that is pretty big is going to be staying at our local hotels and local businesses,” said Rock. “So of course, it was important for us to accommodate their needs because they directly impact our local economy.”
Some employees who went out to watch the film in theatres reported to have seen anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes of scenes that were shot in local spots in Butte County such as near Lake Oroville, Rock said.
The blockbuster, which played to big crowds at Cinemark Chico 14 and XD all weekend, is expected to bring in more than $150 million by the end of Memorial Day Weekend, according to Paramount, making it the biggest opening in Cruise’s 41-year film career. Worldwide, it has already brought in more than $240 million.
CHICO — The most popular movie in the country picked up some of its “need for speed” in Butte County.
In 2019, Paramount Pictures reached out to Chief Operating Officer Alicia Rock at Northgate Aviation Chico Jet Center looking for people to work with and space for aircraft. Although she didn’t know it at the time, she would be helping in the production of the film “Top Gun: Maverick,” which stars Tom Cruise and continues the story of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell originated in 1986’s “Top Gun.” The film hit most theatres across the United States on Friday, May 27, 2022, and the buzz hasn’t stopped since.
“When I finally got the contract and saw that it was Paramount Pictures, I thought to myself, ‘Wow, so this is real,’ ” said Rock.
Over the course of a few weeks, members of the film crew were stationed at the 19,000 square foot hangar that is owned and operated by the Rock family. During their stay, the staff used a conference room that had a 1,200 square foot whiteboard that they used to storyboard and sequence their shoots for the day. Although the team did not include any of the actors, it did consist of pilots who were going to be doing the flying for the shots.
“Our facility could accommodate both at very competitive rates, so they decided to come stay with us,” said Rock.
One key selling point that put Northgate Aviation at an advantage was how accommodating the jet center was with the team. During the team’s stay, Rock was willing to change the locks of the doors to the conference room to give the crew confidential access.
“One thing that is really important for us as a family business to remember that this crew that is pretty big is going to be staying at our local hotels and local businesses,” said Rock. “So of course, it was important for us to accommodate their needs because they directly impact our local economy.”
Some employees who went out to watch the film in theatres reported to have seen anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes of scenes that were shot in local spots in Butte County such as near Lake Oroville, Rock said.
The blockbuster, which played to big crowds at Cinemark Chico 14 and XD all weekend, is expected to bring in more than $150 million by the end of Memorial Day Weekend, according to Paramount, making it the biggest opening in Cruise’s 41-year film career. Worldwide, it has already brought in more than $240 million.