Casey Affleck Shoots Music Video for Zach Bryan in Schenectady

August 21, 2024

Updated: August 21, 2024

The city of Schenectady ⁢was buzzing with excitement as it welcomed Hollywood star Casey Affleck and the crew‍ of‌ Bloomfield Pictures⁣ for the‍ filming of a music video for country sensation Zach Bryan.

The filming took place in various iconic locations around the Electric City, including the famous Mike’s Hot Dogs and the Schenectady Steel Company.

Affleck, an Academy Award-winning actor known for his roles in “Oppenheimer” and “Manchester By the Sea,” played the lead role in the music video.

On Sunday, Affleck was spotted at Mike’s Hot Dogs on Erie Boulevard, where he not only filmed but also interacted with the ‌staff and⁢ even worked the grill.

“Casey Affleck was actually in our restaurant, cooking on the grill and enjoying‌ our food,” shared John ‍Mantas, the owner of Mike’s Hot ⁣Dogs, who had closed the shop for⁢ the day to accommodate⁣ the filming. “It was a fantastic day.”

Affleck also took the time to take photos with ⁢the staff, including Lovey Lee, who was present ⁢during the filming.

“The entire crew ⁤was wonderful,” Lee said. “They were fun to be around, and Casey⁣ Affleck was extremely nice.”

Mantas revealed that the production company had approached him a few weeks ago about filming⁤ at his restaurant.

“They were drawn to our ‍iconic sign and the unique layout of our⁤ small restaurant, so we were more than happy to host them,” Mantas said.

Mantas also mentioned that ‍Bryan had developed an interest in the Electric City after watching “The Place Beyond the Pines,” which featured Mike’s Hot Dogs. Bryan even references Rivers Casino in his song “American Nights.”

Delco Danny cut a deal with the dealer

That he met out at the⁢ Rivers Casino

However, it remains unclear which song‍ the ⁢music video was for.

In addition to Mike’s Hot Dogs, filming may have taken place in a local private residence. Earlier this month, Film Schenectady posted on social media that they were looking for a home with wood-paneled walls for a well-known country music artist’s ⁤next video.

“We are honored to have been chosen as the location for Zach Bryan’s music video,” said Schenectady Film Commissioner Donna Pennell. “It was a pleasure working with Bloomfield Pictures.”

“Zach has spent time in‌ our area and ⁤has a fondness for Schenectady, and the Rivers ⁣Casino, which he mentions in one of his songs,” Pennell added.

Mike’s Hot Dogs is no stranger to the limelight. The restaurant has been featured in “The Place Beyond the ‌Pines” and “Winter of Frozen Dreams.” Over the years, it has served a host of celebrities, including Carol ⁣Burnett, Tim Conway, Harvey⁤ Korman, James ⁢Brown,⁤ and Jay Leno, according‍ to⁤ Mantas.

“We often have customers from Proctors,” ⁣Mantas said.

The news of the music video filming was first reported by WGNA.

Just last week, Schenectady also hosted the filming ⁢of HBO’s “The Gilded Age” in the Stockade. The production has been filming in Troy and‌ Albany this summer as well.