'Ladder 49' Filming in Annapolis, Maryland This Weekend

In cinematic terms, it's Dr. Evil and Mini-Me.

A big-budget action movie and an indie short will use Annapolis as a backdrop this weekend, turning America's Sailing Capital into Hollywood East.

But aside from location, "Ladder 49" and "Woman Hollering Creek" couldn't be more different.

"Ladder 49," which will shoot two scenes at the old downtown Anne Arundel Medical Center complex on Friday and Monday, stars John Travolta and Joaquin Phoenix.

Shooting started last month in Baltimore.

Its plot centers on a firefighter played by Mr. Phoenix who reflects on his life while trapped in an inferno. Mr. Travolta plays Mr. Phoenix's fire chief.

While "Ladder 49" will debut to audiences in megatheaters nationwide, the makers of "Woman Hollering Creek" will be happy to get good reviews on the festival circuit.

The 11-minute film is the side project of a husband-and-wife team from Pennsylvania. Joy Kecken works in Baltimore on the HBO series "The Wire," while Scott Kecken is an independent filmmaker.

Mrs. Kecken described the movie, which features Larry Gilliard Jr. from "The Wire," as "art for art's sake."

The Keckens' short is about a young woman who lives near a creek dividing the rich and poor sides of town. Struggling to find her independence, she works at a dollar store and confides to her boss she's in love with him.

The movie will shoot Friday and Saturday around Truxtun Park and the Spa Creek Bridge in Eastport. For Mrs. Kecken, the decision to shoot in Annapolis "just clicked."

"It was just so beautiful," she said. "The whole film is about the water and the effect it has on you."

"Woman Hollering Creek" also has a local connection. Annapolis-area residents Richard Montgomery and Deenie Henson are involved as a production designer and assistant director.

It was the availability of a vacant hospital that drew the makers of "Ladder 49" to Annapolis.

The producers chose the AAMC site, closed since late 2000, partly because filming in a working hospital would be too disruptive. One scene involves childbirth while the other takes place in a burn unit.

Shooting will take place indoors from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, although the schedule is subject to change, depending on how well filming goes.

Workers will move equipment to the former hospital tomorrow night. A small parking lot will house several trailers and moviemaking paraphernalia. Workers will be shuttled to the hospital from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in an attempt to lessen the disruption for locals.

While not necessarily encouraging stargazers to flock to the hospital, a movie representative said there's a chance they'll see Mr. Travolta or Mr. Phoenix "if they're willing to be patient."