School officials said they were blindsided by HBO, when it filmed scenes for a new, potentially edgy dark-comedy series at Clarkston Junior High School.
However, concerns may be overblown, according to HBO.
The production was untitled when contracted this past summer. Based on casting, however, it is a series pilot tentatively titled “Hung.” According to HBO, “a well-endowed former high school legend turned struggling middle-aged high school basketball coach figures out a way to use his best asset.”
Filming was approved through the district’s regular rental policy, as would apply to any organization wishing to rent facilities, such as for a play or recital, said Anita Banach, director of Communications and Marketing.
“The decision was based on information as presented during contract discussions,” Banach said. “We entered an agreement with HBO based on the premise of the story and the script they provided.”
The script called for six scenes at the junior high: two in a locker room, and one each in a classroom, gym, behind the school, and the parking lot.
Scenes include a teacher, played by Jane Adams, talking to her class about poetry, and a coach, played by Thomas Jane, talking to his team and running exercises, conversing on the phone, and walking to his car.
About 100 high-school-age children took part as extras, performing as band members, basketball players, and students. About 20 adults performed as parents and school officials.
‘Everything they did was fine,? Banach said. ‘It fit with our rental policy.?
Rental contracts state “any activity that may violate the canons of good morals, manners, or taste, or be injurious to the buildings, grounds or equipment is prohibited.”
“The script was strictly followed,” she said. “Clarkston Community Schools staff members were present during the entire time of filming. The extras in attendance, adults and students, were from various communities throughout the area.”
The school is not identified in the production, and the story has nothing to do with the Clarkston community, Banach said.
An HBO spokesperson, calling from studio headquarters in California, said the pilot is not as racy as rumors suggest.
“Nothing inappropriate was filmed at the middle school. There’s nothing inappropriate in the pilot,” she said.
Rumors grew out of control on the Internet, she said.
“He’s not a porn star. He’s not a pedophile. That’s not what it’s about,” she said.
Following standard practice, producers did not release details of their project during filming. If Clarkston school officials had known more details, they might have reconsidered, Banach said.
‘I’m sure we would have looked at it differently,? she said. “After rumors started to circulate, the district contacted our school attorney and the executive director of the film, Scott Stephens.”
Banach said the district was misled and not given full information.
“The producer is maintaining the film is still untitled, and does not go against the agreement ? unfortunately, now Clarkston’s name will be affiliated with this movie,” she said.
More information would have been provided to school officials if requested, the HBO spokesperson said.
Despite rumors, filming went well, she said.
“We had a good time shooting there,” she said. “It was amazing. Everyone was very happy with how the town treated us, and with the extras.”
According to the agreement, HBO paid the district $10,000 for rental fees. It will also cover personnel costs of $2,500-$3,500.