By Greg Duggan - Daily News Transcript
Friday, December 08, 2006
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Ten young thespians from Westwood High took a step closer to Hollywood yesterday afternoon, and did so without leaving town.
The drama students were private guests on the set of "The Game Plan,'' a Disney movie starring Dwayne "The Rock'' Johnson being filmed in a warehouse on Harvard Street.
"We're involved in drama at school, and to see how it happens at the professional level, I can't wait,'' enthused senior Liz Goodridge prior to entering the warehouse.
While students never actually met Johnson, they received a tour of the studio, spoke with one of the producers, Mark Ciardi, and snapped photos with director Andy Fickman. Behind the set, the students watched several takes on a television screen as Johnson serenaded his movie daughter with a guitar and the Elvis tune "Are You Lonesome Tonight?''
"I'm surprised at how mechanical it was,'' said Lauren Naymie, a senior. "It gave me more respect for movie actors.''
Many of the students recently performed in the WHS production of Tennessee Williams' play "Camino Real'' and have created their own skits for class. Several noted differences between acting before a camera instead of an audience.
"It's different from live theater because you can do it over and over again until it's perfect,'' said junior Jessica Geers. "The fun of live theater is the risk. Every little detail can be perfect in a movie.''
The film features Johnson as Joe Kingman, the star quarterback of a professional football team called the Boston Rebels. He is living and loving the high life when he learns a month before the championship game that he has an 8-year-old daughter from a short-lived marriage. When the daughter, played by Madison Pettis, comes to live with Kingman, his entire lifestyle changes.
Events that brought the film to Westwood began more than a year ago, when state Reps. Bob Coughlin, D-Dedham, Thomas O'Brien, D-Kingston, and Brian Wallace, D-South Boston, sponsored the Film Incentives Bill. The legislation became official late in 2005, and its financial promise and tax benefits attracted Disney to the commonwealth.
Disney learned that Westwood Station developer Cabot, Cabot & Forbes had an empty building for lease at the development site, and built sets for Kingman's condo, a locker room and team pressroom. Production was scheduled to wrap up today. The film may be released in August.
In addition to the sets, the warehouse also acted as office space for the approximately 150 people involved with the production. As Coughlin pointed out - he toured with the students - those workers boosted the local economy by staying in area hotels and dining at local eateries.
One of the staff, production coordinator Ellen Woolff, provided advice for the several students who mentioned they would consider a career in the film industry.
"Be different. If you stand out they'll recognize you,'' Woolff said.
After taking the tour, one well-built student, junior Eddie Perkins, felt he has potential.
"If The Rock ever needs a stand-in, I could do it,'' Perkins said.
Daily News staff writer Greg Duggan can be reached at 781-433-8355 or by e-mail at gduggan@cnc.com.
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