Tina Fey, Jason Bateman, Jane Fonda film movie in Munsey Park
Tina Fey and Jason Bateman (in shorts) shoot a scene for their movie, "This Is Where I Leave You" in Munsey Park on May 22, 2013. Credit: Tara Conry
Megan Herschlein stood across the street from a movie set in Munsey Park Wednesday afternoon, determined to stay as long as she needed to catch a glimpse of one of the film’s stars.
She didn’t have to wait long, though. Minutes later, Tina Fey and Jason Bateman appeared on the front lawn of a home located on the corner of Burnham Place and Park Avenue. Fey, wearing a white blouse and black skirt, and Bateman, sporting a beard and green cargo pants, shot a short scene for their new film, “This Is Where I Leave You.”
“It’s kind of weird, because you can’t really make out any facial features, but you know it’s them,” said Herschlein, 19, of Manhasset, adding that she is a fan of Bateman’s television series “Arrested Development,” and considers Fey’s “30 Rock” one of her all-time favorite shows.
When “The Good Shepherd” filmed in Munsey Park in 2005, Herschlein was able to get a hug from actor Matt Damon, who starred in the movie alongside Angelina Jolie, after visiting the set multiple days.
“I’m hoping that will be the same case for Jason Bateman or Tina Fey,” she said. “My goal is to hopefully, maybe get a picture with them .?.?. or just talk to them.”
“This Is Where I Leave You,” described as a “dramedy” by the film’s publicist, is based on Jonathan Tropper’s 2009 “New York Times” bestseller of the same name. In the story, Judd Foxman (played by Bateman) and his siblings are brought together by their late father’s dying request to have them sit shiva for seven days, and are forced to confront their problems.
The movie, directed by Shawn Levy, also stars Jane Fonda, Rose Byrne, Timothy Olyphant, Connie Britton, Dax Shepard and Adam Driver. A rumor had been circulating around the Munsey Park neighborhood that Zac Efron had also been spotted on set, but a spokeswoman for the film said this was not true.
Munsey Park resident Francoise Nassi, 38, was hoping to spot Bateman, who she described as a “heartthrob,” while walking her dog past the set Wednesday.
She said she didn’t mind the increased traffic in the area created by the film and she could see why movie scouts were attracted to her neighborhood.
“It has such a classic, vintage look .?.?. It’s one of the most untouched areas of Manhasset,” she said.
Filming is expected to continue in Munsey Park until the second week in June. Many of the scenes are being shot inside 3 Burnham Place, but there are a number of exterior scenes, too. Although Nassau County police did not shut down Park Avenue Wednesday, they were stopping some trucks from driving past Burnham Place while cameras were rolling.
While driving down the street Tuesday, Kerry Pasquale, of Munsey Park, spotted Fey filming a scene inside a car.
“I didn’t, unfortunately, have any of my kids in my car, so they missed out on the excitement,” said Pasquale.
She was back at the set Wednesday with her friend, Kristen Kaping. They were out for their morning walk and planned their route according to the film shoot.
Pasquale added, “We might make a cameo if we stalk long enough.”