Weeks ago, Mellon Bank Corp. was considered a villain by some in Pittsburgh for not letting a Hollywood movie company film in its downtown headquarters.
Last week, Mellon ended the story, riding out into the sunset as a hero.
Though it initially rebuffed producers of the film "Desperate Measures," starring Pittsburgh native Michael Keaton, Mellon announced last week that the show would go on after all.
The movie company had requested extensive use of Mellon's lobby, plaza, and other interior areas, but bank officials said the filming would have been disruptive to business.
After negotiating over the past couple of weeks, the two sides resolved the issue.
"They were responsive to our concerns," said Mellon spokesman James Dever. "They were able to make modifications to their production plans."
Mr. Dever said the movie company hashed out an arrangement that will limit disruption to business at Mellon and tenants in its building.
Preparation for filming was set to begin last week; the actual shooting will begin Sept. 5, said a spokeswoman for Sony Pictures, which is producing the movie through its unit, Mandalay Entertainment.
Mr. Dever said Mandalay agreed to prepare the set and shoot the film inside the building only during nights and weekends so the production wouldn't disrupt business. Mandalay will film in and near the building for two months.
Producers were interested in the 54-story modern-looking One Mellon Bank Center because it could be juxtaposed against the 108-year-old Allegheny County Courthouse, which is across the street.
In the movie, the Mellon building is supposed to look like a modern hospital and the courthouse is intended to resemble the hospital's original ward.
According to the script, Mr. Keaton, an inmate serving time for murder, walks from the old building to the new one to donate bone marrow to a dying boy.
Officials with the local tax-funded Pittsburgh Film Office worked hard to attract the movie for partial filming in the Iron City - most of the movie is being shot in Los Angeles.
When Mellon initially rejected the movie company, Pittsburgh film boosters and government officials were miffed. The movie is expected to create $1 million in local spending, according to the Pittsburgh Film Office.
Pressure from community film boosters and bureaucrats had some bearing on Mellon's decision to negotiate a compromise.
"We recognize the importance to the community," Mr. Dever said. "That's why we did go the extra mile to reach an agreement."
Pittsburgh fancies itself as a booming movie town, having attracted more than 40 films since 1990.
