On Set - The History of the Mob Part 3

The other day I was back on set for National Geographic's "History of the Mob" reenactment television show.  

I reprised the character of Philadelphia mobster Salvatore 'Salvie' Testa, notorious hitman and son of the infamous Philly 'Chicken Man' Testa.  The Chicken Man was briefly the head of the Philadelphia mob in the early 80s, until being killed by a nail bomb on the front porch of his house in South Philly.  

Dubbed the 'Crown Prince of the Philadelphia Mob," Salvie Testa was an intimidating enforcer and underboss.  After the Chicken Man's death and mob boss Nicky Scarfo's imprisonment,  Salvie dominated the Philadelphia Mob wars of the early 80s.  Eventually,  Salvie was killed by his own godfather, Nicky Scarfo, Sr.  

Most of the NatGeo show has focused on the the New York City mob during the 60s, 70s and 80s.  The show has covered some battles in Philadelphia during the same time period, with most of the focus being on Nicky Scarfo, Sr, and Phil Leonetti.  

My first time on set is linked here: 

http://thecommonone-jtw.blogspot.com/2013/04/on-set-history-of-mob.html

Last week, we shot the scene of Testa gunning down Frank 'Chickie' Narducci.  The scene was recreated in an abandoned bank in Union City, NJ; linked here:

http://thecommonone-jtw.blogspot.com/2013/04/on-set-history-of-mob-part-2.html

Earlier this week I received a call that we were going to reshoot the assassination of Chickie Narducci.  Apparently, they wanted a more authentic recreation.

The original scene had Testa gun down Narducci in the hallway of a building.  

The new scene attempted to stay closer to the truth, Testa gunned down Narducci outside as he was trying to enter his car.  Believing that Narducci was partly responsible for the elder Testa's death, Salvie murdered Narducci for revenge.  

We filmed in front of an old church in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn.  An authentic Lincoln from the early 80s was hired for the scene.  The scene consisted of several takes that included me waiting for Narducci, hunting him from behind and eventually shooting him in the face.

Even though the gun I was carrying only looked real, the police had to be on set.  Between each takes the set manager had cover the gun.  

Also, due to scheduling conflicts, Chickie Narducci had to be recast.  

'Casing out the joint'

Todd, who played Narducci

The annex house behind the church, where holding was.  

Todd getting mic'd for sound.  

The Lincoln in front of the church.  

Slating before getting the shot from my perspective.  

A shot of the crew getting ready to film me.