Spike TV series 'DEA' filmed entirely in Detroit

A cynic might snicker when hearing that a show called "DEA" was filmed entirely in Detroit, assuming that the city's crime rate attracted Hollywood like so many mice to cheese.

But that's not how it went down. Al Roker Entertainment, Inc. formed a relationship with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency, which led them to pitch a concept to Spike TV for a reality show that followed agents on the job. Spike TV introduced Roker to Size 12, a production company that was previously involved in shows like American Chopper and American Hot Rod.

Size 12's C. Russell Muth visited 10 DEA offices around the country and selected Detroit for its...personality?

"There is a good character to the city, it's very hard working," he says. "The guys in Detroit were real, no nonsense, fun and funny -- real 'guys guys.' They leapt off the screen!"

The crew, based out of a downtown office, filmed from August until November 2007. The team was comprised of eight out-of-towners and four locals. "We found some really good local folks," says Muth. "They meshed right in with all the guys from out of town."

Muth says that the production was in contact with the Michigan and Detroit Film Offices, although he points out, "It's not like we needed to close down streets or anything -- and we were with law enforcement the whole time!" Size 12 is currently determining whether or not the shoot qualifies for Michigan filming incentives.

Muth says that Michigan has definitely been loud and clear about trying to lure film and television production to the state. "Even the fact that somebody says, 'Hey, we'd like you to come here!' -- It's just not like that in LA," he says.

Overall, Size 12 found Detroit to be a good location to film, and a city that Muth, a Baltimore native, enjoyed spending time in. "I had never spent so much time in Michigan," he says. "Detroit is a no nonsense and, in terms of people, really salt of the earth -- and a real measure of any city is its people.

There is definitely a huge amount of loyalty for the city. If people who reside there reject it, then you've got a problem -- and that is not the case here."

Six episodes of "DEA" will air on Spike TV this spring.

Source: C. Russell Muth
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh