Residents and customers in historic downtown Buford may catch a glimpse of the apocalypse as filming takes place for scenes of AMC’s brand new series “Tales of The Walking Dead” in and around Buford.
Filming was scheduled to begin on Main Street as early as Tuesday, Jan. 18. Crews were in full production mode, and trucks, lights, tents and crews were visible on Thursday, Jan. 20, as traffic was diverted around a section of Main Street from South Alexander to Scott Street.
The Gwinnett County Police Department is providing security and traffic direction. The closures in downtown Buford will be sporadic, dependent upon filming schedules. It is unknown how long the filming will take place as a contractual weather clause allows for flexibility, however, it is anticipated that production will cease in the area by Friday, Feb. 4.
According to a production agreement signed in early December, Stalwart Productions took possession for 53 days of a location on Holiday Road, preparing for the filming that is to occur around downtown Buford and in other parts of the city. The company obtained the Hall County space for a donation of $30,000.
Katie Strickland, Buford’s director of strategic communications, told the North Gwinnett Voice that members of the production company attended a Buford City Commission meeting in December and presented the opportunity in their formal request for permission to film. Permission was granted, according to meeting minutes, and representatives from the production company visited Main Street businesses the following day.
This information was confirmed in an interview with Buford City Commissioner Bradley Weeks, who shared the excitement as both a resident and a fan.
“It’s a great way to showcase our town to the whole world,” Weeks said. “‘The Walking Dead’ is a successful series which I’ve actually enjoyed watching myself.”
While the storyline and any show details remain under a confidentiality clause, the third spin-off of the highly successful ‘The Walking Dead’ was announced in October. Locals who received letters from the production company announcing their plans for temporarily occupying the area have shared spoilers about a singular special effects controlled explosion to occur between 2 and 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, weather permitting.
“The series is an episodic anthology that will follow individual characters from the The Walking Dead TV universe, both new and old,” according to walkingdead.fandom.com.
“The Walking Dead” is very much at home filming in Georgia, as many other locations have hosted film crews and actors since the show’s debut in 2010. The show’s writer and producer, Channing Powell, will continue to be involved in this new iteration of the series.
The $30,000 donation was made payable to the Friends of Hall County Fire Services Fund and held at the North Georgia Community Foundation, according to Hall County Fire Chief Chris Armstrong. Armstrong said the funds will be “restricted for future equipment and gear purchases.”
“Tales of the Walking Dead” is expected to premiere on AMC this summer.
Featured photo courtesy of Kristina Miller.
