On Sunday, Nicolas Cage began filming Medallion, in which he plays a father frantically searching for his missing daughter who has been kidnapped and locked in the trunk of a taxi.

One of our readers, Travis, was an extra in Sunday’s scene and sent us a full report, including the movie’s tentative shooting schedule.

One interesting note, the movie was originally set in NYC but as we can tell from these first set photos, it looks like it will now be set in New Orleans.

When we arrived, extras holding was at the Westin Hotel at One Canal Place, New Orleans and everyone was dressed up with Carnival gear. Some extras were on floats and others were cast as Mardi Gras-goers. Mr. Cage arrived at 9:30 a.m. on the set in a black Escalade and as soon as he got out of the vehicle I went up to him and asked him for a photo. He said yes and I was thrilled. I told him I loved all of his movies and that I just saw Drive Angry in 3D!

The whole entire time that we were filming I felt as if I was at a movie premiere because all of the fans were barricaded off from the set and were only allowed to watch, but between takes Nic would wave to the endless and expanding crowds of people and sign autographs and was very sociable.

After a few takes in the morning with the floats (only two rented floats, not part of the real parade) and one marching band, everyone had to change into regular clothing for the next scene which was shot on Canal Street with Cage jumping on top of the Medallion taxicab and searching for his daughter or his daughter’s kidnapper. The way this scene worked out was that some of the extras used their cars in this scene and the street was blocked off as if he was in traffic and it was bumper to bumper and he was chasing after someone. Cage’s stunt double was filming as well.

Sunday was the first day of production for the film. Filming will resume on Fat Tuesday, then they will be on hiatus until April when it starts back up through June.

Nic was so friendly and talkative. I love the fact that he took the time to go to BOTH sides of the street and greet his fans. There was a real parade going on but people were more interested in seeing him film than the actual parade!

Thanks to Travis for the photos (especially the one of him and Nic Cage)! If you have a set report or photos you’d like to share, send them our way at olv@onlocationvacations.com!