UAE- What if JLT closed down for shoot....

Date

10/12/2015 8:35:24 PM

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Khaleej Times saw over 15 trucks and vehicles parked just off First Al Khail Street near Almas Tower most of them marked with signs such as "camera truck" "location truck" or "sound truck."

Several dozen crew members were seen carrying boxes of equipment into the lake area and setting up the set.

Traffic however seemed to be flowing normally with no signs of delays of back-up. No road closures were reported. "Since the shooting began this area is completely closed" said a security guard standing near Indigo Towers.

Signs posted around the lake warned passerby that video and photography is forbidden in the areas overlooking the film set and a Khaleej Times journalist was brusquely warned to stop taking iPhone pictures in the area. Security guards and crew members refused to confirm which film the set was for. When asked how long the area would be closed for one security guard said "just for one day" while two others said they weren't sure. Additionally signs were posted around the area directing extras for the film to go inside Almas Tower. As pedestrian areas around the lake were closed many people were forced to take long detours around the lake to get to their offices or to the metro.

Many JLT residents however said they weren't particularly bothered by the commotion. "I saw in the news that Star Trek shooting is going on. I take the metro to work and walked to the station but I really didn't see any traffic on my way" said Vishesh Marwah.

Another resident Jasminder Kaur 25 said the inconvenience of a long walk in the sun didn't bother her if she had a chance to run into a celebrity. "Since I don't have a car if gets a bit painful that I have to walk a distance to get a cab and the weather outside makes it not any better. But if it's only for a few days I don't mind as long as I get to see a Hollywood A-lister."

Mukesh the manager of Spice Kraft - a vegetarian fast-food restaurant located in Platinum Tower in JLT Cluster I - said that his restaurant was completely closed until the evening. "It has to be closed until 8'O clock but I can't say that it is really hurting our business at all. People will come later."

Others like the Reebok Crossfit Lifespark gym and EuroPets pet supply store reported that they remained open as most of their customers come by car.

Bernd Debusmann Jr. Originally from Mexico City I've been in Dubai since January 2015. Before arriving in in the UAE I worked as a general news reporter in TV and print in Mexico City NYC and Washington DC. I'm interested in defence issues politics technology aviation and history. In my spare time i enjoy traveling and football - I'm a keen fan of Chelsea FC. I developed an interest in the Middle East traveling through Jordan and the West Bank. I have a BA in Political Science from Dickinson College in the USA and an MA in International Journalism from City University London.

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.