Springfield hatches new science fiction movie

Late in 2003, the Sci-Fi Channel was on location in Springfield shooting the made-for-TV science fiction thriller, “Larva,” which aired on the channel Jan. 22. Springfield is the real setting for the fictional Host, Mo., where some hungry parasites start working their way up the food chain.

The Missouri Film Commission, part of the state Department of Economic Development, worked with producer and Springfield native Ted Melfi to bring the production of the film to Missouri. Commission staff helped find crew, equipment, locations and other resources for the production.

The net result for Springfield was an economic impact of nearly $2 million, according to the film commission, mostly generated through hotel revenues. The actors and crew from Los Angeles and elsewhere stayed in Springfield hotels.

Several of the sites used in the film may have looked familiar to Springfield residents.

St. John’s Medical Center provided almost an entire floor and a morgue for the shoot, as well as a number of props. The city also offered use of drainage systems for underground scenes.

Additionally, Springfieldian Richard Pille, a master set construction carpenter, built from scratch a jail set used in the movie, which took about four weeks to shoot.