5 things Cape Girardeau learned about Hollywood during the 'Gone Girl' filming

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Spectators watch from the steps of the Common Pleas Courthouse as actor Ben Affleck films a scene for the 20th Century Fox feature film "Gone Girl," Friday, Sept. 27, in downtown Cape Girardeau. Directed by David Fincher the film is expected to be filming in the Cape Girardeau area for several weeks. (ADAM VOGLER)

It takes a small army to make a movie

When the production crews for "Gone Girl" landed in Cape Girardeau, it was obvious. Caravans of people and tractor-trailer loads of props and camera equipment filled half a city block on Independence Street for weeks, where the crew was based, and numerous shooting locations were taken over for days at a time. Many residents and visitors to the set had an up-close look at the effort that goes into a large-scale Hollywood production. Check out this photo gallery of setting the scene for the movie in Cape

Stars aren't all that different from us

During filming, "Gone Girl's" stars were friendly and relatively approachable. Supporting actors took to the town for Cape Girardeau's dining and shopping, while leading man Ben Affleck made use of a local gym during most of his stay, often stopping on his way in or out for photos with fans. One day after shooting a scene on Spanish Street, Affleck came over to onlookers to talk and mingle in the crowd. Those there described him as "humble and friendly." Director David Fincher also spent time with Southeast Missouri State University media students by participating in a question-and-answer session on campus; and producer Cean Chaffin chatted up locals about moviemaking on a daily basis while on set.

This photo gallery shows Tyler Perry and Ben Affleck on set

Movies can mean big business

Businesses large and small reaped the benefits of Hollywood spending, according to estimates from local sources and the production company. Hotels and restaurants in Cape Girardeau saw an increase in sales receipts, local sources said, and according to the Missouri Department of Economic Development, spending on the movie in the state totaled nearly $3 million. There also were improvements to some buildings that were used in the movie and later sold, including the former Socials Cafe, portrayed in the movie as a bar owned by Ben Affleck's character, and the former federal building on Broadway, which was used as a police station set.

Director David Fincher is one of the hardest working directors

The public watched with interest as locations and the appearances of actors and extras were transformed for "Gone Girl" scenes, and as the same scenes were shot over and over for hours. Crew members said the details on sets as minute as adding scratches and scuffs to walls in the bar were all part of Fincher's reach for authenticity, and that he was known not to let a single element of a scene stray from his vision for the film. Fincher also had a hand in clothes and makeup, according to the movie's key makeup artist and costume designer. Fincher picked out color palettes for set decorations, such as furniture, said the film's art director. Fincher also meticulously reviewed previous day's filming, a process that would sometimes mean reshooting scenes he found not up to his standards.

Read the Southeast Missourian's interview with David Fincher

When Hollywood calls, you answer

Several casting calls for extras brought out more than 1,000 people, and hundreds of locals were chosen to be used in the filming. Some, such as the city's police officers, were cast in the same roles they play in their real-life jobs. Others played reporters, photographers, collected as an angry mob or acted as a member of a search party in the movie. For people living in the Cape Girardeau area, there will be many recognizable faces and possibly even a few speaking roles from locals on the big screen come Oct. 3, when the film is set to be released nationwide.

If you like this story, be sure to check out the semissourian.com's Gone Girl page and follow the "Gone Girl Cape Girardeau" Facebook page for more news and information relating to the movie.

See also:

5 things Cape Girardeau is looking forward to in the 'Gone Girl' movie

5 actors you may not know in the movie 'Gone Girl'

Director Fincher talks with Southeast Missourian about life behind camera.

Author Gillian Flynn tells the Southeast Missourian about her Missouri roots.