HBO Warm Springs movie update

[Guest guest]

I am already anxious to see the movie. I am proud to know one of our group

has such a wonderful opportunity. Have fun!!!!!!!!

Cathleen in Arkansas

[Guest guest]

I'm writing this from gorgeous Tybee Island, Georgia where my husband

and I have been staying since Wednesday night after getting done with

the first 3 days of filming for the movie. I'd have checked email

and sooner had I known this campground had a computer with

internet access available for campers here. Great place to stay if

you ever get down this way!

Any way.... The movie filming is extremely interesting and has been

going great. We arrived on location Monday morning and after I had

gotten through wardrobe, hair, and makeup they realized they were

short on extras and ending up having my husband Geoff agree to be in

the movie so he quickly got dressed and went through the paperwork

and is now in the movie as well.

Monday I shot one scene in a wheelchair being wheeled in behind

Nixon as she stands on a walkway looking at Ken Branagh, (he

plays FDR; her husband).

Tuesday we filmed some scenes around the pool in street clothes with

me in a wheelchair again being pushed by Geoff. We got cut early

that day due to a downpour, but we were back on location Wednesday

morning to film pool scenes.

Both Geoff and I were in bathing suits, (circa 1920s...wool, one

piece skirted suits), and that scenes had Geoff helping me out of the

wheelchair and down the steps into the pool over to the area where

Ken Braghan was. For a very short scene we filmed all morning and

into the afternoon from different angles and tweaking different

things.

We have met some extremely wonderful people down here involved with

this movie. It's really been inspiring to say the least.

We're headed back to Warm Springs today to stay at Calloway Gardens

again and will be filming tomorrow and Wednesday. They've asked us

to be back for more scenes the 30, 31, 1, and 2nd, and if we can

clear Geoff's schedule back home then we'll stay.

I've been able to make some people aware of CMT and it's been a great

experience. I really never thought I'd be 'mentally' " able " to be in

a swim suit around strangers shooting a scene for a movie, but

everyone has been so wonderful that I didn't feel as uncomfortable

and scared as I thought that I would. It's helped a lot that Geoff

has been able to be there because I'm constantly having to get in and

out of my braces when we film and he's been extremely supportive.

Someone had asked me how I found out about this movie.... I was

browsing online and went to www.georgia.org and clicked on the link

on the right for film or filmography and they have their own bureau

or department that handles promotional info for the state to entice

production companies to shoot in Georgia. On that page there is a

link for their " hotsheet " where they have current films listed with

openings for extras or staff. They had a listing for people with

skinny legs to portray Polio patients and I sent in my photo and

letter with their requirements listed. They called as soon as they

got it and requested we leave right away to get down here 2 days

later.

I have found that a lot of states have their own film departments

because these states stand to gain a ton of money having films shot

there. I so far haven't learned if there is a listing for multiple

states, but I'll look into it.

Apparently from talking with some of the other extras it's often one

of those things where once you get your foot in the door and become

known they often call you back if you can fit a future roll.

Both Geoff and I have a greater deal of respect for these actors

after having seen what they go through day in and day out; it's

exhausting, but exciting at the same time.

I'll keep everyone posted.... Right now they're talking some time

in the spring for the movie to be aired and I'm not sure if it'll be

aired just on HBO or in the theaters, but I'm assuming just HBO.

Thanks for all the well wishes!!! I needed it!!! :-)

~

[Guest guest]

It sounds like a FABULOUS experience and so glad it has been a positive

experience.

Jackie