A damaged BMW in the Seacrest Pier parking lot became further mangled when booby-trapped and ignited Saturday. No worries. The detination was all an act; a scene shot for an MTV reality show pilot, "The Phone," produced by Justin Timberlake, Fremantle, of American Idol fame, and Tick Tock Productions, set to be released by April.

Attending the shoot was James Keblas, Director of the Mayor's office of Film and Music who said, "We've been working on this for a long time so it's good to see it get to going." A number of feature films were made in the Seattle area last year and Keblas said at least two more are already on the books for 2009. "They all want West Seattle, look at this view!" Keblas said.

Alki Crab and Fish was informed several months ago the scene was to be filmed last October, and a series of postponements brought us to an 8 a.m. estimated detination time, then 8:30 a.m., then 10 a.m. Well, that's show-biz.

By 10:30 the director onsite annouced,"20 minutes." Nearly 70 pedestrians accumulated and awaited the big boom, as did residents watching from balconies across the street.

Two and a half hours later it was bombs-away, and many onlookers were taken by surprise, including some production staff, including those assigned to crowd control.

The pay-off was a loud sound, some flying metal, and as the car flung slightly sideways, a flame and plume of smoke. If they have to reshoot this scene they'll need to find another Beamer.