Wednesday, August 30, 2006
We asked readers to share their experiences working on All The King’s Men.
Some men complained Sean Penn was rude. Women who wrote to us generally fawned over heartthrob Jude Law. And they all had an exciting story to tell about their brush with the movies.
Excerpted here are some of the few dozen e-mails we received.
Extras gather on the Capitol steps between scenes.
I was an extra, Sen. Watson to be exact. I was on the set for nine days and would do it again if I could. It was a great experience. I’ve always enjoyed movies, but getting to see what happens behind the camera was very interesting. It was also great to be so close to the stars. I even ran into Jude Law during one of the rehearsals. That’s right, ladies, literally ran into him.
Mike Bosworth
I went to get lunch with a co-worker at the Lod Cook Hotel. We were eating lunch when Sean Penn and three or four other people walked in and sat at a table. He looked real tired and his hair was a mess, like sticking up. When I finished eating lunch I walked over to his table and asked for his autograph for my children. He didn’t look real happy about it! But asked their names and autographed a piece of paper.
Harriett Pooler
Helped cast most extras at Capitol and Livingston Parish Fair scenes. Auditioned for Mrs. Payton’s part, did well, but did not get. Served as extra in Livingston Parish Fair and the old time rally and viewing speech in cane fields in Vacherie.
Enjoyed dressing in period and seeing others dressed in period costume.
I was extra and production/casting assistant in extras casting under Marti Cherrix.
Wrap party beautiful at Audubon Tea Room at Audubon Park in New Orleans. I am mostly proud of the casting calls that we put on for the Capitol and Livingston scenes at the Baton Rouge Sheraton in January.
Susie Labry
I was selected to be an extra on the set in the legislature scenes. Wow! My 15 minutes were finally arriving! I felt like a high school kid who just got the leading role in the next play.
Twenty years of engineering is just not as exciting as the concept of making a movie (unless you’re the host of Extreme Engineering on the Discover Channel).
Around mid-morning, it happened. All of a sudden, I was doubled over in pain at my desk. It felt like someone took an ice pick and stuck in my lower back.
I had kidney stones…and they needed to come out. After a day at the medical centers, and a lot of pain medication to keep me quiet(er), they performed surgery at 9:45 p.m.
I woke up Thursday morning...beat up, sore and still drugged on large quantities of Hydrocodone.
But it was a great moment while it lasted…at least before the kidney stone. I guess God (or Sean Penn) wanted to keep me in engineering and out of the movie industry. Too bad. It would have been cool to have my name (and maybe pic) in the Internet Movie Database....
Robby Cangelosi
Mark Rayner.
I was an extra in the filming of three scenes in the movie.
First, the fat man, himself (Sean Penn’s Willie Stark), who outside of only two people I know, is the biggest [expletive deleted] I have ever met. Penn is a first-class egoist.
I had two opportunities to obtain his autograph, both within feet of him, whereby in the first, I was told, “You and I are both working now, and I do not sign autographs when I am working.”
I met more congenial stars, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Jude Law and Jackie Earl Haley (Bad News Bears), whom I consider to be the most personable actors I have ever met (that includes John Wayne, Ronald Regan, Sir David Niven and Tony Randall). However, my brief meetings only produced limited conversation and no loot (autographs).
W. Neil Hohmann
During production, Sean and Robin Wright Penn stopped in for dinner at Juban's, and posed for this picture with co-owner Carol Juban.
While on the set, I was lucky to find that sitting at my table in the scene was Miss Louisiana. Also on the set was a friend of the family, a new star with a small part in the film: Hunt Downer, former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He and I were both surprised to see each other and remarked at how small the world was. Through him, I was introduced to the executive producer, Michael Hausman. I soon left after an enjoyable day of my “Hollywood” experience.
A few weeks later, I was called back, if interested, to be part of another scene. This time, I was sent to Franklin for a fitting. But, while waiting, the scene I was called for was cut from the movie before being shot. As a consolation prize, I was scheduled for another scene. I went again to Metairie for a costume fitting. I showed up the next Friday for the scene, but, alas, the scene was not shot because of delays on another shot.
But, still trying to get me into the movies again, I was called about two scenes to be shot on Royal Street. This scene involved the filming over the shoulder of Jude Law’s character looking out of the hotel window at his father handing out religious pamphlets on the street corner. Jude Law was already out of Louisiana, so his double shot the scene. After the scene was set up, all the extras were called out. We were to be the ordinary people coming and going along the street, just passing by the old man and ignoring him. We shot that one scene several times. Once finished, the assistant director pulled 10 of us aside. We were sent back to wardrobe to be “aged” several years to film the same scene, just several years down the road. This time, with the rain machine on, we went back out to the set. I was the first out of the van. I was met by the assistant director, given and umbrella and told to run in front of the actor and across the street. I did exactly what I was told. Upon reaching the other side, I was quickly turned around and sent across again. This time, when I reached the other side, the director cried “cut” and that was it. We all went home, and my movie career was over.
But, that’s not true. Since then I have been in two other movies, Big Momma’s House 2 and the soon to be released, P.D.R. Then, guess what? All the King’s Men casting called again for one last scene or, in this case, the opening scene. Twenty of us were called to film a scene in the rotunda of the State Capitol. For around eight hours, we walked back and forth over the brass plate in the middle of the rotunda floor. I’m the one walking across looking at a ledger.
Kelly P. Poiencot
Being an extra in All the King's Men was the farthest thing from my mind until I was encouraged and dared. The encouragement came from the national president of the honor society I serve as executive director. Dr. Paul Ferlazzo, a professor of English at Northern Arizona University, himself an extra in Midnight Run starring, among others, Robert De Niro, strongly encouraged me to be an extra: “It’s a great experience; you’ll learn a lot; and, the food is good.” Colleagues at the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at first encouraged and then dared me to be in the movie. Actually, a couple issued the ultimate Southern dare, the “double dog.”
What impressed me most about the experience was the way in which the hundreds of extras conducted themselves. In my five days on the set (long days and nights, I might add), the extras acted liked actors. I saw not one instance of any extra grandstanding or otherwise calling attention to self. The real actors were treated with deserved deference. That speaks well, I submit, for Louisiana's future as the site for other movies.
Perry A. Snyder
I was an extra on the production for one day, traveling to far off Gretna for an outdoor construction site scene. Originally, they had me fitted to play a laborer, but seeing how old and frail I was, they thought the better of it and made me an engineer. You might see me in fedora hat pointing at some blueprints as Sean Penn, James Gandolfini, Jude Law and Patricia Clarkson pass by. Clarkson nodded and smiled as she passed, prompting me to ad-lib a “ma’am” and tip of the hat. For that I’ll probably get cut!
Although I was 10 to 20 feet away from Penn, Law, et al., many times throughout the day, I heeded the studio rules: Do not talk to the actors! I do confess to attempting to eavesdrop on them, however. They all seemed to be getting on quite well. Jude Law, I must admit, oozes charisma from every pore. Also present on the set were a few of the children and grandchildren of Robert Penn Warren, the author of the original novel. They were just as bored as we were—the novelty having worn off after the interminable waiting—and actually eager to converse. Very nice people.
David Randall
Getting caught up in the hype surrounding “Hollywood South” and the booming movie industry in Louisiana, I wanted to make my mark on the big screen. So I attended an open casting call at Argosy and was chosen to play an extra in several scenes to be filmed at Louisiana State Capitol. I was overcome with excitement, thinking I had the “look” to break out and be noticed by a big-budget Hollywood director.
So I showed up early the next morning, at 5:30 mind you, for wardrobe and makeup. The butterflies in my stomach were soon replaced with an almost nauseated feeling when, upon my arrival, I caught a glimpse of the snaking line down St. Phillip Street. Apparently, about 1,000 other people also had the “look” the director was looking for. “Oh well,” I thought. I might still get the opportunity to see some big stars, get paid and see how a movie set really operated. Little did I know it would be a lot of hurry-up-and-wait.
I was cast in two scenes: the funeral of Stark, played by Sean Penn, and a night scene (which was incredible) in which Penn delivers a crowd-rousing speech. In addition to getting paid (peanuts compared to my full-time job, but better than jury-duty), we were well fed, entertained, outfitted in cool threads and treated to makeup and hair like the big stars. But the best treat of all was getting to have a one-on-one conversation with James Gandolfini and Sean Penn about the placement of a camera for a scene Penn, as co-director, imagined seeing on the big screen. It involved a close-up shot of an older gentleman, with a tear gently running down his cheek as Stark’s body was carried from the State Capitol. I’ll probably even be in the background for that scene.
Overall, playing a commoner in the Old South has never been more enjoyable. Although there was a great deal of down time, it was nice talking to complete strangers from the Baton Rouge area during those wait times. It’s easy to see why so many directors enjoy filming in Louisiana: We are all so easy to work with.
Trey Castleberry
While filming in Baton Rouge at the Capitol, I was chosen as an extra for three days in All The King's Men. I played a senator, and later a reporter. Unfortunately I didn’t have a speaking role. From what I hear, that’s when you qualify for a spot in the credits. During my time there, there were a lot of boring hurry-up-and-wait moments, but overall the experience was exciting and pleasant. And even though it could make you feel like a kid in your first school play, just the process of wardrobe, hair and makeup could make one feel like a Hollywood star.
One of the best experiences was meeting interesting people from all over Baton Rouge and Louisiana I otherwise wouldn’t have met. During one of the overnight shoots at the Capitol about 300 or 400 of us were gathered in various rooms, waiting...for hours. At about 4 a.m., some of the most colorful characters of Louisiana randomly started standing up and telling jokes a la Justin Wilson to the group and filling the place with laughter. It was somewhat surreal with some in farmer’s clothes and others in three-piece suits from the ‘40s era, seeming to take on the persona of their costume. It gave you a glimpse of what things may have been like down on the bayou when folks gathered to entertain each other before the days of radio, movies and television.
Frank Bourgeois
I was lucky enough to be cast as a state senator—no speaking role, just an extra. It was fantastic! I worked at the Capitol for two weeks in the following scenes:
The Impeachment Vote: That was fun. It was actually shot in the House chambers over a couple of days.
The Assassination: Fascinating! Plenty of movie blood splattered all over. They shot it over and over again, until they got it just right, taking a full three or four days.
The Funeral: Very realistic, like a classic New Orleans jazz funeral.
The Monolgue: Given by Sean Penn on the Capitol steps between 2 and 4 in the morning. Ice cold outside. It was seven to eight minutes long (I timed it). This will help him get an Academy Award nomination for best actor. This was extremely moving in spite of the cold.
The actors cast for the roles seemed to be written by the author with them in mind. Incredible likenesses. The film could be nominated for best picture, best director, best producer, best costumes, also. And, kudos to James Carville for making it all happen. And, I met some terrific people on the set.
Buddy Blaum
I went to the Sheraton where the movie had its headquarters to see if ATKM could use my kids as extras (they were desperate to meet Jude Law), and I ended up being picked as a senator ( I think it was because I showed up in a dark suit and tie). It was a lot of fun being an extra for a week, but I must share one great disappointment.
One of the scenes was the Garden Party where about 25 couples attend a lawn party where the governor (Sean Penn) was going to make a speech. It was pretty cool, all us guys in white linen suits and the ladies in all their finery...and they needed four or five people to be at the head table with the governor. They picked me as the guy to sit next to Kate Winslet! That meant definite face time for me (a term I learned on the set). They set up the scene with me sitting next to Kate’s understudy,(who was much prettier than Ms. Winslet), the wardrobe guy came and gave me a new tie and the directors focused all the cameras in on us. Man, were my kids going to be excited when they saw me in the movie! Then the director asked us all to stand up and gather around Sean Penn’s understudy and applaud him as he finished his speech. As I was standing and enthusiastically applauding, the assistant director walked up to me and began to lead me away, saying..."Sorry, you are too tall.” Oh, did that hurt. Why did Sean Penn have to be so short?
Jerry Goss
It was a cold and rainy wintry night in December, right before Christmas. About 20 or so extras were huddled in a small room on Carondelet Street across from Gallier Hall.
We have been there for several hours anguishing, waiting our turn to be in the movie.
We were dressed as homeless people in a shelter. One dressed as a shelter worker, a nun, I think. She got to read out of the Bible and got SAG pay for one day ($700). She cried, a mother of six, it was the first time she got out and worked on her own. That was great.
Late into the night, half of us, sitting there trying to get a catnap, this guy dressed not much better than we, thin beard and a flashing light on his nose, held with a rubber band. He entered into the room, and loudly proclaimed, “Who are you people and what are you doing here?” I was sitting near the door, I jumped up and shook his hand and said, “Sir we are all extras and will be spending your money?” He said OK and wished us happy holidays, shook every one’s hand and left. It was executive producer Michael Hausman!
Elton LeBlanc
I worked for the move productions as a casting assistant to Marty Cherrix. I learned that you have to work hard and long hours. Timing was everything.
It was amazing to see how a movie was done and how to bring it all together. It is not as easy as most people might think. You have to be in control at all times and be consistent. Keeping up with the daily changes to the shooting schedule taught me to be on my toes at all times.
Diane Benz-Langsford
I work for the Louisiana House of Representatives at the State Capitol, and I was lucky enough to be an extra in the film All the King’s Men when it filmed here in February 2005. Being an extra was fun, but it was not even the best part of having a major motion picture production set up shop in your workplace. A few of my coworkers and I would often venture to the first floor rotunda to watch production, and Mike Hausman*, an executive producer of the film, let us stand near the camera and other equipment to get a close-up of the action. Sean Penn would often come right near us to review the scenes that had just been shot. Mike Hausman at times seemed like a really strict producer, but he was so nice and even teased us about wanting to catch a glimpse of Jude Law. One morning, much to my surprise, I rode up the elevator to my office with Jude Law and James Gandolfini. They were going to the fourth floor, where the governor's offices are, to film scenes. I stood right near Jude! Another day, my co-worker and friend, attorney Greg Riley, had the gumption to walk up to Jude Law on the front lawn of the Capitol while he was playing soccer with his young son during a break. Greg introduced [us], and I shook hands with Jude and we talked for a little while. It was very, very exciting, and he was so nice.
Being an extra was also fun because we got to wear ‘40s-era clothing and have our hair fixed in the style of that time. But it was exhausting, too. I worked from 2 p.m. on a Friday until 8 a.m. Saturday. I can’t imagine doing that a few days in a row!
Michelle Breaux
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