Lights, camera, "Comancheria"

Bank robberies and shootouts are coming to Clovis — but never fear, they’re all part of the movie “Comancheria,” which begins filming Monday.

“Comancheria” stars Jeff Bridges, Ben Foster and Chris Pine, and is directed by David Mackenzie. According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), the film is about a divorced dad and his ex-con brother who resort to a desperate scheme in order to save their family farm in West Texas.

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No, Portales isn't getting a new bank ... it's just Hollywood moving in to Charles Brooks' optometrist office at Second and Abilene, where filming for "Comancheria" is scheduled to begin Tuesday in Portales.

And apparently, the scheme involves a few heists at banks on Pile Street, which is one of several roads that will be closed during the first phase of filming, according to Clovis Community Development Director Claire Burroughes.

On Monday, Burroughes said, the crew will be filming between 14th and 10th streets as well as adjacent side streets.

The Suddenlink building on Saturday was being transformed into the fictional “Texas Midlands Bank,” where work crews said scenes would be filmed inside.

J.D. Hicks, a teamster from Albuquerque, said workers began arriving in Clovis a week ago to begin delivering equipment and scene elements to the sets.

Hicks, who has been in the movie business more than 30 years, said he was also a part of the teams that shot “Believe in Me” in Clovis in 2004 as well as the “Breaking Bad” television series in Albuquerque.

“We like coming down here,” Hicks said. “We like seeing the rebate money (state tax incentives offered moviemakers) spread around the state.”

All day Wednesday, the crew will be filming on Main Street between 21st and 22nd streets and at Bill’s Jumbo Burger in the evening, Burroughes said. The crew will open 21st Street periodically throughout the day for traffic to get through, she said.

Thursday and Friday, Burroughes said, the crew will be filming around Western Bank on Pile Street between 11th and Seventh streets.

On Saturday morning, Burroughes said the crew would be filming around Citizens Bank on Fifth and Pile Streets.

The crew will also be filming on Tuesday in Portales around Dr. Charles Brooks’ office, parking lots on Main Street and from Second Street to Commercial, according to a press release from Portales City Clerk Joan Martinez-Terry.

Burroughes said part of the movie plot is that characters go around robbing banks.

“Part of the scene at Western Bank on Pile and 10th Street, there’s going to be some shots fired there,” Burroughes said. “They’re faking a shooting. So, if people hear shots fired in that area, it’s part of the movie.”

Burroughes said most days the crew would be filming from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“This is exciting for the community, and the filmmakers are very excited to be here,” Burroughes said. “They said they’ve got a great welcome from the community and are very complimentary about the way the city’s worked with them. It’s been a great experience.”

Burroughes said the public should try and be patient during street closures while the crew films.

“Anything like this helps us,” Burroughes said. “They may come back again if we create a good image of willingness to work with filmmakers. They may pass the message on to other producers and directors.”

Burroughes said the crew would be back to film another phase in July.

“It’s going to be fun for the community,” she said. “We’re in the movies.”

Unfortunately, according to Angela Denike at Hanson Ranch Productions, Inc., there will be no opportunity for fans to interact with the cast members, as it is a closed set with security.

For information on fan protocol, Denike said to direct questions to 505-227-2900.

Staff writer Aubry Buzek contributed to this report.