Posted by Michael G. khalil on March 31, 2001 at 08:19:04:
Dearest people of Kittaning!
After I found your website I glanced at most of the messages posted from people, and was a little disappointed that so many of you had negative experiences being extras. You have to understand that the scale of this movie is so huge, and that so many people were needed in non-descript roles that not everybody could be a KEY EXTRA. As a SET P.A. I delt with most of you, placing you in cars, etc. etc. and I can tell you that the majority of the people sitting in the cars for hours on end were not disappointed. As far as damage done to your cars, (I'm not a mechanic, I'm a filmmaker) I can tell you that leaving them running with the lights on is in no way harmful. If anything, it kept you warm while we stood outside freezing. Every car I eventually jumped in when the filming began was filled with people who were blown away by the fact that HOLLYWOOD was in Kittaning, and that they didn't care what their role was, as long as they could help. Aside from being called all sorts of names, and cursed by several locals, I'd say the filming went well, and should always be remembered as one of the biggest things to happen to your town. I made many friends up there during the month of March, and won't forget any of you! You all know who you are...........!
Carla Densmore, Rose Stitt, Mary ann Dodson, Snow, Ellen Macafee, LuAnn, Amy Campbell, Marty, Eric Claypool, Tammy Mook, Jean Chestnut, etc. etc. The list goes on and on. I never once thought of anyone being guests to our movie set....we were guests in YOUR TOWN, and I tried as much as possible to get people in better position to see what was going on, and even got yelled at by my bosses several times for being to lax with the on-lookers. If it had been up to me, EVERYONE would have their bright, shining, smiling faces on the silver screen!!!!!!! I hope this explains why sometimes things went like they did. You're all wonderful people, and I thank you for welcoming me to your town. I'll never forget it...
MIKE KHALIL
Mike the PA