Post by neferetus on Feb 3, 2005 10:13:10 GMT -5
San Jacinto Diary, Part I
Larry Grimsley
Our journey began over a year ago when I discovered the "Alamo Movie Site." Once again someone was making a film on the Alamo, only this time some big players were involved. When I found out that a major motion picture company was going to spend milliions on this movie, I asked myself, how am I going to get in. After reviewing the movie site and its call for extras and reenactors I soon realized that we (Ned, Jerry and I) had vertually no chance to get in and be a part of this. We soon found out that we didn't or couldn't meet their minimum qualifications. We were too old, I was 55, Jerry was older and Ned was closing in fast. (they wanted people in their 20's and 30's who were young and lean),besides I had gained too much weight, could not make the tryout dates, and could not commit to the long shooting schedule. Anyway you looked at it we figured we were out especially if they saw pictures of us. However, like so many others, we kept up with the news and continued to follow the production's progress.
After the first of the year the three of us once again discussed the movie project and the remote possibility of sending in photo's and applications for the San Jacinto shoot. During our discussion Ned was the most enthusiastic, Jerry seemed to rule out any filming (saying he was not physically up to it) and I was some where in between. ( I kept reMembering Price of Freedom) our experience there just about ruined any desire to do anymore films.)However I told Ned and Jerry that I would call the reenactor number. When I did reach someone I spoke to a woman and all I could get out of her was, fill out an app. and if we need you we will call.I relayed this to Ned and he suggested that we send in a picture and application.I said ok but was not yet ready to commit myself.
Ned and I didn't speak to each other for several weeks( by now it was Feb) and when we did finally make contact He told me he had sent his app. in and wanted to know if I had done the same. I hadn't and assured him that I would do it, but thought it would be a waste of time. That weekend I had my son take acouple of pictures of me , and I returned them along with the app. to the appropriate address. Jerry was still refusing to send in an app.
In March, Jerry had decided to go to the Alamo Symposium. He said that would use up his vacation time and he could not afford to miss any more work time so the movie shoot was definately out for him. Nothing more took place in March regarding the movie and our involvement. I took a day off work in mid-April and decided to call the reenactor phone number once more. When the other end picked up the phone is was a man by the name of Alan Brooks.To my surprise and delight he was very cordial and answered all my questions concerning the film. I explained to him that there were two of us who were interested in being extras in the film, that we were available for two weeks, and that we had done two other Alamo films.He pulled our files and said that he could use us for the San Jacinto shoot. He said would get back to me in May with the shooting schedule etc. I couldn't Believe what had just happened. Here was someone who didn't cut us off, and who offered us a spot in the film.He had our pictures, age, and weight. I mentioned this to him and he said they did want younger people but he was looking for a mix in ages. I called Ned and Jerry and told them about my conversation with Alan. Jerry wanted the phone number and he called Alan and talked to him and decided that he would go to the movie shoot after all. By the first of May I decided to call Alan again and see if they had a shooting schedule. He said The scenes that we were to be in would be shot in May between the 16 and 30th. He said he would send us a map once he found out where they would be filming. He said they didn't want to let the info out to early because of tourists. He said they tend to disturb the site, leaving trash etc.
Once the date for shooting was confirmed the three of us began making our plans, when to leave, what to take etc. One mistake I was not going to make again had to do with sleeping arrangements. Last time We were not prepared and had to leave the shoot early because of sleep deprevation. I decided to take a self inflating air matress, and Jerry also puchased a 12x14 tent. This time we weregoing to take steps to make our stay as pleasent as possible. As the day approached for us to leave Alan phoned and said that the schedule had been pushed back a week. Production had decided to complete some more filming at the Alamo Set before moving to San Jacinto. We were all disappointed and wondered if they would push schedule back further. I told Ned and Jerry that if they did push filming back I could not go. My son was graduating High school the second week in June and I had to be home. Fortunately they did not push the date back and we left for Texas on Friday May 23 at 3 am.
Observations on the set:
THE YOUNG PEOPLE: that they were trying to get were evidently not available. Most extras were middle age and some were seniors, in their sixties and many people were over weight. As for myself I had lost nearly 25 pounds in preparing for this movie.It appeared to me that they were desperate to get people to be extras.
MEXICAN SOLDIERS: They were evidently having trouble recruiting them. Rumor had it that they were losing 25 people a day at one time. No wonder, the temp was over 100 degrees the shooting schedule was 14-15 hours a day and the pay was at best $125.00 a day.The Mexican soldiers I came into contact with were great though. They had a terrific attitude and after scenes were complete we all laughed and carried on like old friends.
ACCOMODATIONS: This was no Mickey Mouse production. Reenactors had hot showers, a kitchen, electricity, porta pottys that were serviced daily, a big tent with snacks and a Television. When we were finished with the day's scheduled shooting there was always something hot to eat, sandwiches, chicken steaks etc. The production company had plenty of food for us during breakfast and lunch. Tents were also air conditioned
ACCIDENTS: One the third day of the shoot I fell during a charge toward the Mexican Camp. It occured right in front of a camera so I decided to lay very still After the scene a a lady came over and asked if I was all right. I said I was fine and that I only fell. A camera man spoke up and said no you died. It will be interesting to see if that scene makes the final cut.
The fall however wrecked my left leg. It swelled up and a knot developed on the outside of my calf. My ankle was spranged and both feet were covered with blisters by the end of the second day of filming. I was able to stay on my feet for the next week and ahalf because of some pain pills that my doctor gave me for my back. The swelling never went down but I felt no pain either.
MY BIG SCENE: On the next to the last day of filming, production decided to do the surrender scene between Houston and Santa Anna. They were reproducing the painting that hangs in Austin for the movie. I, like 200 other people wanted to be in a scene that would only require 20 or so people. After lunch our bus dropped us off at the Mexican camp which was about a half mile away from were they were going to shoot the surrender scene. When I saw what was happening I walked (not ran) to the scene. When I arrived, there was a group of extras standing in a semicircle. I asked one of them what was going on. He said they were selecting people for the surrender scene. He told me to take off my hat and join the circle. This I did, and while standing there I began praying, please God let them choose me, please.
The assistant director who was doing the selecting had a copy of the picture. He was looking at it and then at us. While doing this he looked up pointed his finger at me and said YOU come here. I felt like "IT DO" when Wayne selected him to be one of his men in the Alamo. I couldn't believe it and almost turned around to see if he was pointing to someone behind me. When I went over to where he was standing he pointed to one of the men in the picture and said that I would be portraying him. This individual was right up front and when the scene was filmed I was right on camera. As it turned out, this scene took over five hours to film and I, along with the other extras stood in place most of that time. This was the high point of my work and I will never forget it.
Larry Grimsley
Our journey began over a year ago when I discovered the "Alamo Movie Site." Once again someone was making a film on the Alamo, only this time some big players were involved. When I found out that a major motion picture company was going to spend milliions on this movie, I asked myself, how am I going to get in. After reviewing the movie site and its call for extras and reenactors I soon realized that we (Ned, Jerry and I) had vertually no chance to get in and be a part of this. We soon found out that we didn't or couldn't meet their minimum qualifications. We were too old, I was 55, Jerry was older and Ned was closing in fast. (they wanted people in their 20's and 30's who were young and lean),besides I had gained too much weight, could not make the tryout dates, and could not commit to the long shooting schedule. Anyway you looked at it we figured we were out especially if they saw pictures of us. However, like so many others, we kept up with the news and continued to follow the production's progress.
After the first of the year the three of us once again discussed the movie project and the remote possibility of sending in photo's and applications for the San Jacinto shoot. During our discussion Ned was the most enthusiastic, Jerry seemed to rule out any filming (saying he was not physically up to it) and I was some where in between. ( I kept reMembering Price of Freedom) our experience there just about ruined any desire to do anymore films.)However I told Ned and Jerry that I would call the reenactor number. When I did reach someone I spoke to a woman and all I could get out of her was, fill out an app. and if we need you we will call.I relayed this to Ned and he suggested that we send in a picture and application.I said ok but was not yet ready to commit myself.
Ned and I didn't speak to each other for several weeks( by now it was Feb) and when we did finally make contact He told me he had sent his app. in and wanted to know if I had done the same. I hadn't and assured him that I would do it, but thought it would be a waste of time. That weekend I had my son take acouple of pictures of me , and I returned them along with the app. to the appropriate address. Jerry was still refusing to send in an app.
In March, Jerry had decided to go to the Alamo Symposium. He said that would use up his vacation time and he could not afford to miss any more work time so the movie shoot was definately out for him. Nothing more took place in March regarding the movie and our involvement. I took a day off work in mid-April and decided to call the reenactor phone number once more. When the other end picked up the phone is was a man by the name of Alan Brooks.To my surprise and delight he was very cordial and answered all my questions concerning the film. I explained to him that there were two of us who were interested in being extras in the film, that we were available for two weeks, and that we had done two other Alamo films.He pulled our files and said that he could use us for the San Jacinto shoot. He said would get back to me in May with the shooting schedule etc. I couldn't Believe what had just happened. Here was someone who didn't cut us off, and who offered us a spot in the film.He had our pictures, age, and weight. I mentioned this to him and he said they did want younger people but he was looking for a mix in ages. I called Ned and Jerry and told them about my conversation with Alan. Jerry wanted the phone number and he called Alan and talked to him and decided that he would go to the movie shoot after all. By the first of May I decided to call Alan again and see if they had a shooting schedule. He said The scenes that we were to be in would be shot in May between the 16 and 30th. He said he would send us a map once he found out where they would be filming. He said they didn't want to let the info out to early because of tourists. He said they tend to disturb the site, leaving trash etc.
Once the date for shooting was confirmed the three of us began making our plans, when to leave, what to take etc. One mistake I was not going to make again had to do with sleeping arrangements. Last time We were not prepared and had to leave the shoot early because of sleep deprevation. I decided to take a self inflating air matress, and Jerry also puchased a 12x14 tent. This time we weregoing to take steps to make our stay as pleasent as possible. As the day approached for us to leave Alan phoned and said that the schedule had been pushed back a week. Production had decided to complete some more filming at the Alamo Set before moving to San Jacinto. We were all disappointed and wondered if they would push schedule back further. I told Ned and Jerry that if they did push filming back I could not go. My son was graduating High school the second week in June and I had to be home. Fortunately they did not push the date back and we left for Texas on Friday May 23 at 3 am.
Observations on the set:
THE YOUNG PEOPLE: that they were trying to get were evidently not available. Most extras were middle age and some were seniors, in their sixties and many people were over weight. As for myself I had lost nearly 25 pounds in preparing for this movie.It appeared to me that they were desperate to get people to be extras.
MEXICAN SOLDIERS: They were evidently having trouble recruiting them. Rumor had it that they were losing 25 people a day at one time. No wonder, the temp was over 100 degrees the shooting schedule was 14-15 hours a day and the pay was at best $125.00 a day.The Mexican soldiers I came into contact with were great though. They had a terrific attitude and after scenes were complete we all laughed and carried on like old friends.
ACCOMODATIONS: This was no Mickey Mouse production. Reenactors had hot showers, a kitchen, electricity, porta pottys that were serviced daily, a big tent with snacks and a Television. When we were finished with the day's scheduled shooting there was always something hot to eat, sandwiches, chicken steaks etc. The production company had plenty of food for us during breakfast and lunch. Tents were also air conditioned
ACCIDENTS: One the third day of the shoot I fell during a charge toward the Mexican Camp. It occured right in front of a camera so I decided to lay very still After the scene a a lady came over and asked if I was all right. I said I was fine and that I only fell. A camera man spoke up and said no you died. It will be interesting to see if that scene makes the final cut.
The fall however wrecked my left leg. It swelled up and a knot developed on the outside of my calf. My ankle was spranged and both feet were covered with blisters by the end of the second day of filming. I was able to stay on my feet for the next week and ahalf because of some pain pills that my doctor gave me for my back. The swelling never went down but I felt no pain either.
MY BIG SCENE: On the next to the last day of filming, production decided to do the surrender scene between Houston and Santa Anna. They were reproducing the painting that hangs in Austin for the movie. I, like 200 other people wanted to be in a scene that would only require 20 or so people. After lunch our bus dropped us off at the Mexican camp which was about a half mile away from were they were going to shoot the surrender scene. When I saw what was happening I walked (not ran) to the scene. When I arrived, there was a group of extras standing in a semicircle. I asked one of them what was going on. He said they were selecting people for the surrender scene. He told me to take off my hat and join the circle. This I did, and while standing there I began praying, please God let them choose me, please.
The assistant director who was doing the selecting had a copy of the picture. He was looking at it and then at us. While doing this he looked up pointed his finger at me and said YOU come here. I felt like "IT DO" when Wayne selected him to be one of his men in the Alamo. I couldn't believe it and almost turned around to see if he was pointing to someone behind me. When I went over to where he was standing he pointed to one of the men in the picture and said that I would be portraying him. This individual was right up front and when the scene was filmed I was right on camera. As it turned out, this scene took over five hours to film and I, along with the other extras stood in place most of that time. This was the high point of my work and I will never forget it.