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Ben Affleck was spotted filming his detective character in the upcoming film "Hypnotic." (Laura Figi/Austonia)
Ben Affleck has been spotted in Austin shooting his new movie, "Hypnotic," which is filming at the Federal Courthouse on 4th and San Antonio Streets in Austin.
Hordes of cars and heavy-duty equipment have the section of 4th Street, from the courthouse to the edge of Republic Square, blocked off for filming, which is set to continue through Nov. 17. One of the workers on set who did not disclose his name said the crew will be filming until around 10 p.m. today.
Affleck can be seen wearing his faux detective badge while shooting. (Laura Figi/Austonia)
The movie, brought to life by Austinite and "Spy Kids" director Robert Rodriguez, follows Affleck in the role of a detective who becomes enveloped in a mystery involving his missing daughter, a string of high-profile crimes and a secret government program.
New Austin transplant Carole Cline lives nearby, so she watched the crew film for a few hours. Cline said one of the props set up in front of the steps of the courthouse—a hotdog stand—looked so realistic she almost went up to order before she noticed the equipment.
Cline said she watched Affleck film a scene where he was running down the courthouse steps in the opposite direction of a crowd passing by and that he had to repeat the sprint "at least 20 times."
Shortly afterward, the crew shifted to filming in the street for what appeared to be a car wreck scene. Three cars were tightly clumped together along with a steady stream of fog, a prop police car, an ambulance and a fire truck.
Affleck and partner Jennifer Lopez have been renting a condo in Austin while "Hypnotic" is filming, so keep an eye out for the high-profile couple around town. Affleck will also be seen in at least four movies coming up: DC's "The Flash," George Clooney's "Tender Bar," Ridley Scott's "The Last Duel" and Adrian Lyne's "Deep Water."
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Historic preservationists, for their part, overwhelmingly support historic zoning, which would preserve the buildings in perpetuity. The Historic Landmark Commission unanimously voted to initiate historic zoning in July, citing architectural significance, landscape features and association to historic figures. City staffers recommend historic zoning, calling both structures one-of-a-kind examples of vernacular architecture.
Tarrytown neighbors have also banded together to stop the demolition. Many have written letters, and a few spoke at the meeting. “How could anyone buy this property with the intent of destroying it?” Ila Falvey said. “I think it’s an architectural treasure.”
Michael Whellan, an attorney representing the property owner, said that the claims made by preservationists are shaky. The buildings are run down, he said, and have had substantial renovations. A structural engineer hired by the owner said any attempt at preservation would involve tearing down and rebuilding – an undertaking Whellan said would likely cost millions.
Whellan also argued that any historical significance derived from the property’s association with Delisle and longtime owner C.H. Slator is dubious. “These men are not noted for any civic, philanthropic or historic impact,” he said.
What’s more, according to Whellan, Slator likely participated in segregation as the owner of the Tavern on North Lamar Boulevard between 1953 and 1960.
A city staffer, however, said she found no evidence to support the claim. “We would never landmark a property where a segregationist lived, or there was a racist person,” Kimberly Collins with the Historic Preservation Office said.
Commissioner Awais Azhar couldn’t support historic zoning in part due to lingering uncertainty about Slator. “Focusing on that factor is not here to disparage an individual or family. It is not about playing the race card. This is an important assertion for us to consider as Planning commissioners,” Azhar said.
Commissioner Carmen Llanes Pulido said that allegations of racism should come as no surprise. “We’re talking about white male property owners in the 1950s, in Austin, on the west side – and of course they were racist,” she said. But she argued that allowing the house to be demolished based on these grounds does nothing to help people of color who have been harmed by racism and segregation.
The question of tax breaks was also controversial. Michael Gaudini, representing the property owner, said that the tax breaks associated with historic zoning would exacerbate inequality by shifting property tax burdens to less affluent communities. City staffers estimate that the property, appraised at $3.5 million, would get either a $8,500 or $16,107 property tax break annually, depending on whether a homestead exemption is applied.
Commissioner Grayson Cox preferred the commission focus not on tax breaks but on whether the structures merit preservation. “To me, nothing in the historic preservation criteria lists, is this person deserving of a tax break or not?”
Azhar, on the other hand, said he plans to propose a code amendment getting rid of city property tax breaks for historic properties.
The commission fell one vote short of recommending historic zoning, with six commissioners in support and three opposed. Azhar and commissioners Claire Hempel and Greg Anderson voted against.
The odds of City Council zoning over an owner’s wishes are slim. Nine out of 11 members must vote in favor, and there have only been a handful of such cases over the past several decades.
