Matt Damon does Matthew McConaughey

I’ve had a lot of requests from all the We Are Marshall fans to post this clip. So, here it is: Matt Damon on Letterman, impersonating his friend, “The Sexiest Man Alive.”



For McConaughey’s reaction, check out this clip at You Tube. Sorry, the owner doesn’t allow embedding.

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My movie debut in We Are Marshall

From now on, I’ll only be communicating with you through my publicist. I expect to drink only Evian water chilled to a perfect 43 degrees, and I’ll be traveling by private plane. You see, I’m officially a movie star.

I made my big-screen debut Dec. 22 in We Are Marshall as a glorified extra. Before my mom gets too excited, let me clarify exactly what that means. Extras are known in some circles as “background” or “nobodies,” i.e. the folks hired to react to the big stars’ speeches and actions. But, I don’t mind being “background,” because I actually appear onscreen with Matthew McConaughey in two scenes in the film. And I earned a respectable $105 for my one day of work.

You’ll be happy to know I haven’t let my big debut go to my head. I’m just kidding about that publicist stuff. From what I see, famous people are just like us, except they do a few stints in rehab, don’t wear underwear, and spill their souls to Barbara Walters. Who needs that?

For those of you who’ve called, e-mailed, etc. asking where you can spot me in the film, I can be seen several times in the press conference scene wearing the now infamous blue dress. (In my small social circle, that blue dress has become just as popular a conversation piece as that other famous blue dress worn by Monica.)

I am most visible in the scene where Coach Lengyel (McConaughey) meets the press for the first time. I play a reporter in the press corps and am standing throughout the scene, always to the left of McConaughey. As the camera switches angles, I’m on the right side of the room and then on the left side of the room. I can be seen several times in the bright blue dress shaking my head in disapproval of Lengyel’s comments and wardrobe choices. You can also hear my female voice yelling, “Coach, coach over here,” as I try to get the coach’s attention. My appearance is brief, so look quick.

The other scene I appear in is the day of the Xaviar game, as fans are walking by the coach’s house. Lengyel (McConaughey) walks onto the sidewalk, picks up his little boy, and is amazed at the number of fans going to the game. As he holds his son, you’ll see a lady in a gold coat walk by. That’s not me. I’m actually the second woman in a gold coat to walk by. (I guess there are actually two of us dressed in WVU colors.) I am smiling and chatting to my friend Trina, who is in a pink plaid wool coat. It’s very quick, but McConaughey nods to our group as we go by. I don’t look like me in either scene, as I have very short, teased 1970 hair.

Those of you looking for some fun bloopers, I noticed a couple things the second time I watched the film. They didn’t “fix” all the blooming dogwood trees on Merrill Avenue. (It was spring when we filmed that scene in Huntington, and the director told us they would use computer technology to make the trees look like autumn trees. I guess they missed a few.) Also, when Matthew Fox is on the roof of his shed, a modern-day SUV drives down the highway in the background.

If you haven’t seen the movie, you still have time. It’s still playing in some theaters. Reviews have been mixed. Some critics loved it. (Roeper of Ebert and Roeper gave it a thumbs up.) Other critics weren’t as kind. I thought the film was excellent, and that’s coming from a gal who has no love for football. I saw the movie in Bridgeport, and the theater was packed. The crowd laughed, cried, and cheered. At the end, the crowd erupted into applause. I’ve been only to one other film where that happened: Apollo 13. So, go see it for yourself and make up your own mind. If nothing else, it’s a story that will inspire you to go on with your life, no matter how dour the circumstances.

Thanks to all of you for leaving phone messages and e-mails about the film. My publicist will get back with you soon.

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We Are Marshall index

I’ve received so many requests from readers about We Are Marshall coverage that I’ve decided to include a special section here at Tube Talk. Yes, this is a Web site devoted to television, not movies, but We Are Marshall was filmed locally and tells one of our state’s most tragic stories. So, I feel compelled to give it the press it deserves. Besides, it features a television star you may know: Matthew Fox (Lost.)

This section provides an index of links, articles and features about the film, including an exclusive to Tube Talk: a behind-the-scenes-account of my day as an extra. This section will be updated with any and all We Are Marshall news that comes our way. The movie premieres nationwide Dec. 22 in a theater near you. Don’t miss it.

Tube Talk Coverage
My day as an extra, casting call
My day as an extra part one
My day as an extra part two
My movie debut as an extra
Matthew McConaughey on Oprah
Oprah preview
Interview with Jack Lengyel and Reggie Oliver
Movie news
Trailer released
Promo released
Matthew Fox to host SNL
Matthew Fox on SNL
USA Today article
Matthew Fox in WV


Watch the film trailer at the official site
http://wearemarshall-themovie.warnerbros.com/

The Herald-Dispatch Newspaper
The best site on the Web for We Are Marshall news. It includes news stories, video footage, photos from filming, a plane crash timeline, filming location sites and a lots of other goodies.

Marshall University Page
http://www.marshall.edu/movie/

WSAZ TV Charleston, Huntington, WV
This Web page has videos of press conferences with the cast, along with interviews and plenty of other videos about the movie.

Entertainment Weekly
Story on the movie

Interviews with Matthew McConaughey
Unscripted
IVillage
Good Morning America
Extra catches up with McConaughey on the set
Matt Damon does Matthew McConaughey

Interviews with Matthew Fox
Coming Soon
Sports Illustrated
Good Morning America

Interviews with Jack Lengyel
South Bend Tribune
Beckley Register Herald interview

People Magazine
Schoolgirls outrun McConaughey

Where in Huntington is Matthew McConaughey?
A fun site where Huntington locals share pictures and stories of meeting McConaughey around town during filming.

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Oprah features "We Are Marshall"

Actor Matthew McConaughey is scheduled to appear on the Oprah Winfrey show Wednesday, Dec. 6, to discuss the film We Are Marshall. I promised I’d let you know the date, so there it is, according to the West Virginia Film Office. Check your local listings for times and set your TiVos, Tubers. You don’t want to miss this.

In other We Are Marshall news, Huntington, WV, locals you may want to pick up the new filming-location map before you watch the movie. The Huntington Convention & Visitors Bureau has created a handy foldout map for We Are Marshall, that pinpoints locations where filming occurred in Huntington. The maps will be distributed around Huntington and will also appear at welcome centers, among other places. For more information, contact the CVB at http://www.wvvisit.com/

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Matthew Fox to host SNL

Matthew Fox — star of the hit show Lost and about to become an Oscar-worthy contender for his incredible role in We Are Marshall — is hosting Saturday Night Live this week. For the 10 of you who don’t watch Lost, you may remember him as Charlie Salinger from Party of Five.

Fox is probably doing SNL to promote his new film We Are Marshall, which opens nationwide December 22. In fact, I’ve been doing a little promotion of the film myself, (shameless plug,) as it is an incredible local story that was filmed here, and I worked as an extra in two scenes.

SNL airs at 11:30 p.m. EST on NBC.

For those of you who can’t get enough of Fox, check out this interview with Coming Soon and this one with Sports Illustrated. And don’t forget to watch SNL on Saturday.

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We Are Marshall news

Warner Brothers has updated the We Are Marshall Web site with a slide show of still photos from the movie. If you’re a fan of Matthew Fox and Matthew McConaughey, you must check out these AMAZING photos.

I know McConaughey is currently the reigning Sexiest Man Alive, but I have to say, it’s Fox who makes me weak in the knees. Photos of Ian McShane, Kate Mara, Anthony Mackie and the rest of the cast are included, too.

In other We Are Marshall news, Huntington News has published a story about the search for surviving family members of the 1970 Marshall plane crash for a special screening of the movie. And The Herald-Dispatch has video from the latest press conference up at its site.

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"We Are Marshall" to be featured on "Oprah"

by Jennifer Squires Biller

Photo: Actor Matthew McConaughey and director McG do the traditional Marshall University pre-game walk .

The movie We Are Marshall will be featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show before the film’s Dec. 22 premiere, according to star Matthew McConaughey. We Are Marshall tells the story of a 1970 plane crash that killed most of the Marshall University football team, coaches, and several community members and chronicles the rebuilding year that followed.

McConaughey told a group of reporters in Huntington, W.Va., last week that he watched the film with Oprah and that she is planning a special show about the tragic story. McConaughey did not know the exact date of the special, but said it would be before Dec. 22.

“She did enjoy the movie. We both shed a good tear over it,” he said. “The show ended with the whole studio audience (cheering) our chorus ‘We Are... Marshall.’ It was beautiful.”

McConaughey and director McG were in Huntington for the Marshall/Central Florida game Wednesday. The duo did the pre-game walk with the team, as thousands lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the stars and support the Thundering Herd.

During the game, ESPN2 gave plenty of promotion to the upcoming film. McConaughey talked with announcers about the movie and what it means to the community. The film trailer also played during the game, for television viewers.

At the stadium, McConaughey and McG introduced the crowd to a four-minute clip of the movie. The two stood together, arms around one another, facing the big screen, as the scene played. The clip shown was an inspirational speech from Coach Jack Lengyel (McConaughey) to his team at the gravesite of six players killed in the plane crash. The crowd watching the clip, sat silently, wiping tears, before erupting in cheers, as McConaughey’s words found resonance with fans who have watched their team face some tough losses this season. Lengyel told the team that despite what the scoreboard said, if they played with heart, they would not be losers.

Despite all the Hollywood magic and the heartfelt memories at the stadium, the Thundering Herd couldn’t pull out a win. They lost to Central Florida 23-22.

McConaughey has not been shy about proclaiming his adoration for the upcoming movie in recent interviews.

“There are two scripts I’ve read in my career — I’ve made 37 films — that as soon as I finished the last page, I said, ‘I’m in, no matter what,’” he said. “The first was my first film, Dazed and Confused, the second was this.”


You can view the film clip below that was shown at the game.

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We Are Marshall trailer

The trailer for We Are Marshall hit theaters last weekend. Those of you who watched Zach Braff’s new movie Last Kiss may have seen the trailer, if you made it in time for the previews.

We Are Marshall is the story of the Marshall University football team that was killed in a plane crash and the subsequent effort to rebuild the school’s football program and the community’s spirit. The film stars Matthew Fox and Matthew McConaughey.

For those of you who want to see what the movie is about, you can check it out here. Please note, for those of you here in West Virginia or across the country, who had friends or family members on the plane, the trailer does show the team in the air a few seconds before the crash and a shot of the aftermath.

The film is scheduled to open nationwide December 22, with the premiere here in West Virginia.

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"We Are Marshall" interview

As you know, I’ve been plugging a little movie called We Are Marshall, despite that this is a TV blog. The movie stars Matthew Fox (Lost) and mega-movie-star Matthew McConaughey. (And I might be one of the nameless, faceless extras playing a reporter in the press conference scenes, if Warner Brothers got my bribe, and I don’t end up on the cutting-room floor.) Warner Brothers has released the first official movie photos featuring Fox and McConaughey.

In other We Are Marshall news, my fellow writer and former co-worker Danny Forinash, now with The State Journal, has a fantastic interview with former Marshall University head football coach Jack Lengyel and former quarterback Reggie Oliver, who helped rebuild the 1971 team, after the devastating plane crash in 1970 that killed the majority of players and coaches. In the interview, McConaughey is quoted telling Lengyel that, “Jack, I've done 30 movies. About 5 percent of your movies are what you'd call real good movies. About half of the others, they'll find a date and release them. And the other half, they'll cut up and end up throwing away. This may be one of the best movies I've ever made." From what I saw on set the day I filmed, he isn’t exaggerating. I still get chills thinking about it. The movie premieres Dec. 12 in Huntington, W.Va., home of Marshall University, before opening nationwide.

To read about my experience as an extra on We Are Marshall and see photos from filming, click here for Part 1 and here for Part 2.

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"We Are Marshall" promo

The first promo for We Are Marshall hit the Web recently and you can check it out here or at You Tube here.

The clip features interviews with stars Matthew Fox (Lost,) Matthew McConaughey (Failure to Launch) and others, as well as scenes from the film.

To all of you who have e-mailed asking about the release date, it has been pushed back until December 22, according to the film’s publicist. Insiders say that’s a good thing, as that date will put We Are Marshall in the Oscar-friendly season.

For more on We Are Marshall, check out my day on the set as an extra parts one and two , coverage of the press conference , and other related news.

(Thanks to my blogger hero Give Me My Remote for the heads up on the promo video.)

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USA Today article on "We Are Marshall"

by Jennifer Squires Biller

USA Today had a fantastic article on the upcoming movie We Are Marshall starring Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, Ian McShane, David Strathairn and possibly Tube Talk Girl (as an extra. Cross your fingers!) Those of you who don’t know about the tragic and inspirational story of the 1970 plane crash that killed most of the Marshall University football team, check out the article. It’s a good read.


(Above photo) Actors David Strathairn and Matthew McConaughey, Director McG and Producer Basil Iwanyk discuss the upcoming movie "We Are Marshall" at a press conference in West Virginia.

Tube Talk Girl can be reached by e-mail at jennifer@tube-talk.com.

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My day as an extra on the set of "We Are Marshall" (part two)

by Jennifer Squires Biller

The big news from my day as an extra on We Are Marshall is that I actually got a line that may or may not be heard in the final version of the film. (Don’t worry. My bribe is en route to Warner Bros.) My line is delivered to Matthew McConaughey during the press-conference scene and goes a little like this, “Coach, Coach, over here, Coach...” I had about 60 takes to perfect it, so I’m pretty sure I nailed it at least once. How did I get such a delicious piece of dialogue you ask? Well, let me start from the beginning.

(Above photo: Spectators line up against the yellow tape on Fourth Avenue in Huntington, W.Va., to watch filming on April 19, 2006. The Keith-Albee Theater marquee helped transform the downtown area into 1970, by advertising the Clint Eastwood movie "Kelly's Heroes."

Thank you, Mr. P!
After finishing the morning scene and returning to the extras holding area, I was ready to turn in the now-famous gold jacket, call my day as an extra a slamming success, and head to the hotel for a nap. (I hadn’t been to bed the night before. The sponge-roller ordeal and the thought of being an extra had me too wired to sleep.) But when we got back to the holding area, the people in charge divided the 300 extras into two groups. On the right side of the room, they lined up the extras that were supposed to be in the afternoon press-conference scene. On the left side, was everyone else. (Also known as me, and the other envious extras that really wanted to be on the right side of the room.) They called roll for the extras that were supposed to be in the afternoon scene, and unbeknownst to Scarlett, Trina and Gina, they were on the list to be “towns people.” I, however, was not.

At that point, fate intervened. (Well, actually Mr. P, but it could have been fate.) The hair/makeup team was asked to look through the hundreds of extras and choose four people to join the press conference scene for the afternoon. Mr. P walked through the group and pointed in my direction. I assumed he was pointing to the tall, gorgeous gal next to me, but apparently, my pageboy fluff had a special place in his heart. So, I joined my pals on the other side of the room. I was told I would be a professor. (OK, not a stretch. I did teach one semester of English composition at Marshall University as a teaching assistant. Method acting, Mr. DeNiro. Check.)

I was told to go back to wardrobe and get a different outfit. It was here I had my only unpleasant experience of the day. When I told “wardrobe lady,” – and I use that term loosely – that I was there for an outfit for the press conference scene, she didn’t take the news well. She asked why I hadn’t been fitted already. I told her I had just been chosen for the scene, which sent her flying out of the wardrobe trailer barking that “Now they’re sending people over here that they’re just picking out of the crowd!” She returned a little calmer, but still not offering me an outfit. So, I stood waiting, and waiting, and waiting, as she gave clothes to everyone else around me. I finally stopped a guy who was also working in the trailer and asked him for an outfit. I was trying to hurry and change, as everyone else seemed to be boarding the bus to head downtown. In my haste to get ready, I put a run in my stockings and didn’t have time to get a decent look at the dress I was given. Big mistake. It was long-sleeved, blue wool, with a brown belt, and it showed every curve, and not in a good way. The dress can only be described as the most unflattering frock to ever be manufactured. But off I went for my close-up anyway, in a dress no woman should ever be caught dead in, let alone immortalized in, with ruined stockings, no makeup and pink shoes. Yes, I said pink. Yeah, I’m gonna be pretty. Feel free to laugh hysterically at my misfortune and the wardrobe guy’s obvious lack of style. Maybe I should bribe Warner Bros. to keep me and that blue dress out of the movie.


Scarlett, Tube Talk Girl, Trina and Gina (l-r) strike a pose between takes. Jennifer is sporting the infamous blue dress and pink shoes.

We were taken to Fourth Avenue to our new holding area, also known as the C.R. Thomas building. The press conference scene was being shot at the old Frederick Hotel, directly across the street. People had lined up along the street, with cameras, and stood the entire day watching us go back and forth from holding to The Frederick, hoping to catch a glimpse of the stars. They shot pictures of me, too, throughout the day. I’m not sure if the “fans” thought I was someone famous (apparently I look like Judie Aronson from Weird Science, according to one of my readers) or if they were so mesmerized by the blue dress that they wanted a photo to take to their seamstresses to have it recreated. (You know I’m kidding, right?) The “fans” were kept at bay by a huge amount of yellow tape, roping off the area, which made the set look like a crime scene and made me chuckle at the absurdity.

As we all gathered inside The Frederick, an architecturally gorgeous building with elaborate staircases, a stained glass dome in the rotunda and a rounded balcony, the extras playing the press were seated in the front of the room. The rest of us were positioned to stand behind them all throughout the room and up the stairs. I ended up in the very back of the room, near Gina and Scarlett. But, at 5’4", I couldn’t see anything in front of me, except the other really tall extras. I was standing on my tippy toes, trying to hear the director, when Mr. P grabbed me and said, “Come with me.” He took me to the front of the room and put me in the press section. I was now a member of the press. (OK, not a stretch, having worked as a news reporter for the past five years. Method, baby!)

Lights, camera, action!
The director, McG – perhaps the coolest guy on the set – gave us instructions for the scene. It was called “press conference one,” and it introduced the new coach, Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) to the public, the staff and the press. The first coach the school had hired didn’t last long, and Lengyel was the new replacement. We were supposed to be wary of the guy, but welcoming, McG said. We were supposed to look the new guy over, head-to-toe, and take in his long hair, sideburns and wacky fashion sense (neon green socks,) while applauding his entrance. Then, we were supposed to unleash our questions, aggressively, on the poor guy. McConaughey was to look around the room at the shouting reporters and finally take a question from the reporter seated to the left of me, Ernie Salvatore (portrayed by actor Mark Oliver). Then, Lengyel would field questions from Salvatore, as he also would get the follow up, too. The rest of us were directed to react to his answers.

Extras film a press conference scene for "We Are Marshall." Photo credit: Cindy Cannon


I was only one of four women in the press corps. The group of mostly men included the real mayor of Huntington and a couple other reporters from local news affiliates. Some of us were given notepads, others cameras. McG directed us to “be reporters” and that “everyone should have a question for this guy.” I was about 15 feet from where the “coach” would be, to his left. We rehearsed our actions for almost an hour and finally we were ready to roll. I channeled my inner aggressive-reporter-girl persona and was ready to go.

McConaughey’s scene and my big moment
McConaughey entered on my right to thunderous applause. He was no longer “Matthew McConaughey, sexiest man alive.” This guy walked with a hunched back and had a strange gait – mannerisms McConaughey maintained for the entire day, as he seldom broke character. He looked in awe at the press corps, and we looked him over, too. Per our instructions, I ad-libbed some comments about his fashion sense to the female reporter to my right: “Look at those neon green socks” and “Interesting wardrobe choice” were my signature lines for the day. (Yes, this coming from the chick in the revolting blue frock.)














Matthew McConaughey, as coach Jack Lengyel, greets the press while filming a scene in "We Are Marshall." He is wearing neon green socks as smoke fills the room for "atmosphere." Photo credit: a fellow extra who shall remain nameless

McConaughey took a seat, but he never really got comfortable or scooted all the way back in the chair, which I think was a brilliant acting choice to depict Lengyel’s reaction to an uncomfortable press conference. He greeted the press and the town’s people, thanking us for our hospitality. He told us he and his wife had driven in from Wooster the previous night to their new house in Huntington. He made a joke about having electricity and good water pressure, and we laughed in response. Then, he asked for questions.

Like a pack of wolves, the press corps started in. Here was my big line to McConaughey, “Coach, Coach, over here, Coach,” I yelled, waving my arm wildly trying to get his attention, along with the 20-plus other members of the press. He scanned the room a little in shock at such a reaction, and finally leveled a look in my direction, but pointed at Salvatore. His question was about what the coach expected from the team. McConaughey responded that he expected to put a team on the field that “plays hard, plays smart and plays until the whistle blows.” Salvatore followed up that question by pressing him for details/predictions on wins and losses. We responded with our ad-libs of “Good question, Ernie” and “Yes, that’s what everyone wants to know.”

It was at this point that Lengyel gave an answer that began to unsettle the press. It went something like this. “Well if it’s a miracle you’re wanting, then I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed, and I’m going to be out a job.” We were then instructed to immediately jump back in with follow up questions, so again, I yell, “Coach, Coach, question over here, Coach,” waving my arm wildly. But, once again, he called on Salvatore, as scripted. I decided to do my own little bit of ad-libbing here and angrily put down my hand in disgust as if to say, “Geesh, this guy again?” Yeah, I’m a drama queen.

This time, Salvatore asked an even tougher question about what Lengyel wanted to say to the families and critics who thought that putting a team back on the field so soon after the crash was disrespectful. I won’t spoil the great dialogue here, but I will tell you that the press did not respond well to his answer and began to turn on the coach. In fact, McG instructed us that at that point, the air should be sucked out of the room into an awkward silence. The coach then told us he had a lot of work to do and that he would see us on the field. He thanked us and left, while doing a strange finger-hand-snap gesture into his palm.

The press was left shaking our heads and ad-libbing lines like “I give him two weeks,” “No inspirational words for the community?” “What’s with this guy?” and “He’s not going to make it as long as the last coach did.” Then, the director yelled “cut.”

We did this scene more than 50 times, I’m guessing. In between takes, McConaughey went off to the side, but seemed to stay in character for most the part. We were not allowed to speak to any of the actors. (A rule I broke on the last take when I commended Mark Oliver, who had sat next to me, on a job well done. Seriously, he said the same lines over and over, as Salvatore, and didn’t mess up once. Impressive. He sincerely thanked me and told me how much he appreciated the comment, and we chatted for a little bit. He seemed like a really nice guy. I found out later, after a quick IMDB search, that he was also in Sweet Home Alabama with my Dr. McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey.) Gulp.

(Above:) Ian McShane chats outside The Frederick Hotel during a break in filming. Photo credit: Valeri J. O'Field




Ian McShane joins the scene
In several takes, Ian McShane, the British actor from Deadwood, was positioned in the crowd. (He plays the father of one of the football players who was killed.) He stood behind me and seemed to have a great sense of humor. It was extremely hot under the lights, and the hair and makeup team had given McShane a battery operated hand-held fan. Between one take he was generous enough to share the fan with the young lady next to him, “Let me fan you darling," he said with that fantastic accent. We all giggled like schoolgirls. He seemed like a lot of fun and was very respectful to all of us.

The next scene filmed was “press conference two.” Throughout the day, McG would interchange the press conference scenes. So, for several takes we would film press conference one, then we would switch positions to press conference two. For two, I was seated in the second row of chairs, instead of standing. In this scene, we were to meet the very first coach, not Lengyel, who took the job after the plane crash. I don’t know the actor’s name, but he was also very nice to the extras. We basically did the same thing as in press conference one, but McG instructed this coach to be completely unnerved at our thunderous applause and aggressive quest for answers.

Between takes, the extras were sometimes dismissed to go across the street to drink water to stay hydrated. The lights made the room smoldering, and the directors had turned off the air conditioning, so they could use a smoke machine. So, obviously, we were a little steamy. I’m not sure what the smoke was supposed to depict. Perhaps it was to make the scene look grainy, or perhaps everyone smoked back then, I’m still not sure. All I know was that the air conditioning kept sucking up the smoke, so they turned off the AC.

The rest of the extras, except the press, were sent back to holding in the early evening. So, my pals waited for hours there, munching on cheesy puffs, nuts and fruit, while I and the rest of the press kept doing the scene with McConaughey over and over, sans snacks. The director was shooting close-ups and different camera angles of McConaughey, and it took a while. From time to time, McConaughey would look directly at me in the scene. I sometimes nodded my head at his response and other times listened intently, as all good reporters do. In between takes, he would head out to the hallway, sometimes pacing back and forth, other times sitting and mentally concentrating on his dialogue. As I said, I rarely saw him break character, unless it was to look at the scene on camera with McG or to discuss a certain acting choice.



Director McG at the kickoff press conference.

McG, the best director ever?
McG never lost his energy, which in turn invigorated us for every take. McG, the other assistant directors and other set folks were so gracious. They constantly thanked us. Between takes it was “thanks guys, that was great” over and over again. At one point, McG made an impromptu speech about how pleased he was to use local folks as extras and how much it meant to the production. Then, he brought in the real Ernie Salvatore, who had been a reporter during the crash for the Herald-Dispatch newspaper. We all gave Ernie a standing ovation. I truly believe that McG is one of the nicest guys in Hollywood and best directors. No, I don’t have anyone else to compare him to, but if greatness is measured by his attitude on the set and his ability to get the job done well and efficiently, then he wins. He was so respectful to all of us and paid close attention to detail. Throughout the day, he would so easily communicate through words what he wanted from the actors and the extras that it was easy to give it to him. I never once heard him speak harshly to anyone, despite the organized chaos that went on around him. Besides, he’s also the executive producer for The O.C. so I have to like him by default. (You know I have great love for Seth Cohen, Ryan Atwood and Julie Cooper Nichol.)

By about 8 p.m., we were all dragging. Having been limited the entire day to tepid bottled water, I was ready to sell my soul for a Diet Pepsi or any other caffeinated beverage. It was then that “press conference one” took a dramatic turn, thus temporarily eliminating my need for caffeine. McConaughey had just answered Salvatore’s question for the 50th time, when McG, apparently acting as a member of the public, shouted out in a quiet moment, “What the Hell kind of answer was that?” Then, he went on to heckle the coach about his comments and antagonized the coach further, requesting the coach give the community some answers. We were all shocked, as this wasn’t how we had rehearsed the scene. I’m not sure if McG’s voice will make it into the movie, or if he simply staged that scene to elicit an incredible response from McConaughey. And I don’t know for sure if this was ad-libbed or if McG and McConaughey had worked it out beforehand, but it felt ad-libbed. I won’t spoil the fantastic dialogue that McConaughey delivered as his retort, but when McG threw down the gauntlet, something sparked in McConaughey. He gave what seemed like a five-minute speech in response to the question/criticism, and it gave me chills. It was a beautiful moment, and I whispered to my reporter pal that we’d just witnessed Hollywood magic. Yeah. It was that cool and perked us up better than a shot of Red Bull.

For the final scene, the town’s people and MU staff were brought back to The Frederick. We filmed “press conference one” a couple more times. Then, someone yelled, “Check the gate!” I had no idea what it meant, but I knew the day was about to be over, as this was the first time in 60-some takes I’d ever heard that phrase. And finally, at about 9:15 p.m., the director said, “That’s a wrap.” We all made a mad rush to the holding area across the street to turn in our wardrobe and our vouchers so we could get paid. On the way across the street this time, I noticed that the crowd outside with cameras had grown considerably. I resisted the urge to strike a Paris Hilton pose, as I remembered my attire.

A chance meeting with the "Sexiest Man Alive"

My fellow extra Scarlett got a photo with McConaughey on the MU campus the day after we filmed our scenes.

So, what was my reward for a long day of filming, with no caffeine? A chance run-in with the sexiest man alive and his puppy at the hotel. When I got back to my room, I was in desperate need of caffeine. My head was throbbing, and I’d been up for more than 50 hours with no sleep. I needed change for the soda machine, so I went to the front desk. McConaughey was standing at the desk talking to another man and the lady on duty. He looked as tired as I felt. His dog immediately jumped up on me, wagging her tail energetically and giving me those adorable eyes. I was smitten. (With the puppy, you pervs, not the owner.)

McConaughey seemed a little uncomfortable that the dog was jumping on me. I wasn’t sure if I was breaking some kind of canine-training rule or not by playing with the pooch, so I asked him, “Am I not supposed to pet her?” He said that it was fine, but glanced around at the front desk lady and said, “I’m supposed to keep her down.” I received my change and headed toward the elevator. McConaughey said goodnight to the front desk lady, calling her by name, which I thought was very cool. On the elevator ride upstairs, the puppy was still playful. I asked him what breed she was, and he told me she was a dingo and that her name was “Moxy.” (I resisted my urge to chuckle, as this was the nickname I had tagged McConaughey and Matthew Fox with in a recent Tube Talk story.) McConaughey joked that Moxy was “fierce,” as I continued to pet her. I said goodnight and got off the elevator. The next morning, I ran into him in the lobby, sans Moxy. He was dressed in his gym clothes and was obviously heading for a work out. I didn’t bother him for an autograph or a picture.

So, how do I sum up my time in “Hollywood?” Well, someone call VH1 because it was was without a doubt the “best week ever.” Thank you to the production company and actors for such a fabulous experience. I hope to get to do it again sometime. As for the movie, it’s supposed to be released this winter, and I hope you’ll buy a ticket and go see it. It truly is an inspirational story about rebuilding a community’s spirit in the face of tragedy. Oh, and did I mention I might be in it?

Thanks to everyone who contributed photos! Tube Talk Girl can be reached by e-mail at jennifer@tube-talk.com. Have a comment about this story? Then, drop me a note here in the comments section or send an e-mail.

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My day on the set of "We Are Marshall" – (part one)

by Jennifer Squires Biller

I’m back from my day as an extra on the set of We Are Marshall and had a blast kicking it 1970s style! Don’t worry, I haven’t let stardom go to my head. Yet. (I’ll be signing autographs later.) My experience as an extra was — in a word — spectacular. Now, on to your burning questions:

Did I get to meet Matthew McConaughey? Yes. (Don’t hate me.) Not only did I get to work with him in several scenes for more than 12 hours, I later ran into him at the hotel where I was staying and played with his adorable dog for a couple minutes. (No, Mary Kay, I didn’t soak my hands in raw hamburger just to attract the little pooch and subsequently his owner. I’m not that devious or desperate. Well, not on most days, anyway.)

Did I meet Matthew Fox or Ian McShane? No and yes. Sadly, “Foxy” was filming Lost and wasn’t in town the day I was working. (He must not have gotten the memo that I would be on set or clearly he would have changed his plans and brought “Sawyer” along. he he he.) I did get to work with McShane in several takes. He stood directly behind me in one of the press conference scenes. He has a cool accent and was nice enough to share his hand-held fan with a few of us extras who were slow-roasting under the lights in our turtlenecks and wool garments.

Will I be in the movie? I have no idea. If they get my bribes, perhaps. (Kidding.) I can tell you that I filmed three separate scenes and worked almost 17 hours (4:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.) I played a member of the press in several scenes. (I know, typecast again!) Then, in another scene, I was a fan walking by the coach’s house on the way to a game. Still, there is no guarantee I’ll make it into the final version. So, send those bribes to Warner Bros. Pictures, in care of….um, sorry, where was I?

Oh, the recap of my day as an actor in my first major motion picture. Yes, I said first. A girl can dream, right? I told you Reese Witherspoon, I’m coming for that Oscar!

Getting ready for my closeup
My call time was 4:30 a.m. Despite a horrible experience starting at 2 a.m. with setting my hair on sponge rollers for the first time ever using directions I gleaned from Google, I made it on time, rollers semi-intact. Extras were to meet at ACF Industries parking lot, near the intersection of 3rd Avenue and 23rd Street and board the bus. A lovely gal named Gina was my seat mate, and we quickly bonded over our difficulties of using hair rollers and offered a quick prayer of thanks to the genius who invented the modern-day curling iron.

Upon arrival at our “holding area,” otherwise known as a church recreational facility a few blocks from Merrill Avenue, we were herded into a long line to fill out paperwork. Gina and I left a trail of sponge rollers in our path, as they refused to stay in our hair. Then, we were shown to another long line outside, where we waited in the dark and cold, to be fitted for wardrobe. It was here I met Trina, a fellow extra who would be my cohort for the day. I was told I would be one of the Marshall fans walking by Coach Lengyel’s house (McConaughey’s pretend house) on the way to a game.

I finally made my way to the wardrobe trailer. It literally is a tractor-trailer full of clothing. The wardrobe lady seemed frazzled by the time I got there. (I was one of the last people to come through, I think.) She gave me a brown, plaid wool coat, approved my jeans and shoes and sent me to the line for hair and makeup. Trina was given polyester pants and a heavy plaid winter coat. She looked cute. By contrast, my coat was hideous, and as it turned out, lethal. While waiting in line, I began to feel itchy and hot on my chest and shoulders. I started scratching and asked Trina if my neck and throat looked OK. The look of panic on her face told me otherwise. I apparently was having an allergic reaction. (As far as I know, I’m only allergic to cats, so I’m not sure if the coat had cat hair on it, or if I’m just allergic to bad fashion.) I flagged down a wardrobe person and showed her my dilemma. She barely had a glimpse of my beat-red neck, shoulders and chest, before calling for the medic. A dose of cortisone later, all was well, and I had exchanged that ugly shapeless brown wool coat for a long gold jacket over my blue jeans.

So, in what I’m sure is an oversight, it turned out that I’m the only extra going to the game dressed in gold and blue (the colors of Marshall University’s in-state rival, West Virginia University.) Trust me, it’s funny.

While in line for the wardrobe trailer, the sun finally came up. Crowds of people had gathered along the street with cameras. They started snapping photos of me. I smiled and waved and tried to explain, “I’m nobody. Don’t waste your film!” But they weren’t having it. The click, click, click continued. Hmmm…. I wonder if this is what it feels like to be a celebrity?

Tube Talk Girl outside the hair trailer, in the infamous gold coat. Hair stylist, Mr. P, strikes a pose in the background.

After the wardrobe fitting, a lady gathered several of us and put us in a van to get our hair and makeup done at a different location. We waited in line again at the hair trailer for what seemed like hours. The little boy playing McConaughey’s son in the movie was there with his parents. He was sweet and had a head full of curls. We enjoyed chatting with him and his parents. I also met Scarlett in line, who I worked with for most of the day. As we continued to “hurry up and wait” someone decided that we were running out of time and weren’t going to make it to set on time, so they sent a van to pick us up and take us back to the other hair/makeup place. But just as we got inside, another lady told us to stay there and they’d get to us shortly. So, we exited the van and waited in line again. I finally made it to the makeup side.

The casting lady who had called me a week earlier had instructed me not to wear any makeup to the set, so I had complied. Big mistake. The makeup lady told me I looked great “natural” and decided I only needed some eyeliner and lip-gloss. Now, for a woman in her early ‘30s, the thought of appearing on screen with a “natural” face is pretty much my version of Hell. I practically begged for a little foundation, but she said my skin was gorgeous. (Frankly, I’m still baffled at this. Was she too tired at this point to do me?) So, I was ejected from the makeup trailer to wait in the hair line, hopeful I’d fare better. Boy, did I.

My hair stylist was named Mr. P. He was a big, burly guy who I immediately took a liking to. Seeing what he’d done for the ladies in front of me convinced me the guy was some kind of a hair God. I apologized for the state of my “rolled” hair, explaining that I’d never set my hair in my life and had to Google instructions on how to do so. He seemed to get a kick out of that and empathized with my situation. He immediately set my hair in hot rollers and assured me my ‘do would be gorgeous. We chatted about his work as a hair artist. (He had a photo on the wall with Justin Timberlake.) I asked if he’d ever had to do hair on this many people so quickly, and he said yes. The most he’d ever done in a short amount of time was for the film Mississippi Burning, he said. Mr. P let me steam on the rollers and explained he was giving me a pageboy fluff ‘do. When he finished, he sprayed me down with enough hairspray to damage the ozone. I felt like he’d transported me to another decade, just with a hairstyle. The back of it was gorgeous. Sadly, I didn’t get a good photo of the back, only the front. Mr. P was kind enough to take some photos with us while we were waiting for the van to pick us up.

Trina (left) and Tube Talk Girl (right) show off their 1970s hairdos with the man responsible for the barrel curls and the pageboy fluff, the one and only Mr. P.

When we eventually made it back to holding, all the other extras were gone. We all started to panic a little. The wardrobe lady told us everyone was already over on Merrill Ave. so to get going. We took off in a rapid walk.

Scene 1: The “walk to the stadium” and Matthew McConaughey
When we rounded the corner to Merrill Avenue, it felt like we’d stumbled into a 1970s all-American neighborhood. Cool vintage cards in every color imaginable lined the brick-paved street. Two-story houses with big front porches completed the picture. Hundreds of extras dressed in vintage clothes carried green-and-white pom-poms. Some had MU cushions. We weren’t sure where to go because we got there late and missed the instructions, so we positioned ourselves near a blooming dogwood tree, across from a two-story house and waited for instructions. We were to be a part of the crowd walking to the football stadium past Coach Lengyel’s house.

As we chitchatted, McConaughey walked out of the house wearing a tight white t-shirt and even tighter plaid polyester pants. We were all a little shocked. We didn’t actually think we’d be filming with him.

The director, McG, gave us directions for the scene. He told us to start walking to the game, but not to be too celebratory. (Another extra told us that the game we were supposed to be going to was the second game of the season and that the team had lost the first game.) Lengyel (McConaughey) was supposed to emerge from his house, playfully chasing his son, to get the newspaper. He was supposed to see the fans on the way to the stadium and was supposed to be amazed at the overwhelming support he was witnessing.

I arranged Scarlett, Trina and myself like Charlie’s Angels with the tallest, Trina, in the center. We were positioned right in front of the coach’s house, close to where the street split. The director told us to ad-lib dialogue, as if we were really going to the game. With the set-up in place, finally, the director yelled, “rolling.” “Don’t look at the camera,” he said. No problem. We didn’t even see the camera. A better instruction would have been, “Don’t look at McConaughey,” as everyone kept turning around and watching him between takes.

The house on Merrill Ave. used for filming

Each time the director yelled "rolling," we would take off on our stroll down the street. We ad-libbed lines such as “Go, Herd!” and “Let’s go Marshall!” We talked among ourselves, as if we really were going to a game, adding comments such as “How do you think they’ll play today?” and “The community really needs a win.” Where the street split, we went to the left, as a truck carrying several guys sitting on the tailgate and holding a Herd banner went to the right. I high-fived one of the guys during several takes.

The best part of the scene was walking by the coach’s house. Somehow, the three of us timed our “stroll” just right and actually got to speak to the “coach” while passing by. By the time we got up to the house, McConaughey had crossed the sidewalk and was holding the newspaper, just gazing at the crowd with awe. Trina, Scarlett and I took turns saying, “Good luck today, coach” and “Good morning, coach” in take after take. During several takes, McConaughey said “Good morning” back to me and my pals. Several times he looked us intensely in the eye, depicting his amazement of the crowd support. It was cool to watch him acting in this scene. His intensity was a beautiful thing. We did the scene over and over, at least 20 times until we heard “Cut!” Each time, the cars would have to back up and start over at the same point for continuity, just as we started walking from the same place in each take.

About 300 extras were used in the street scene. People were positioned on porches, the grass, the sidewalk, at picnic tables and of course, driving the vintage cars. It truly felt like small-town USA. A crane was used to shoot aerial shots of the scene, so I’m sure it will look really cool on the big screen. I’m still not sure how they’ll get the blooming dogwood and cherry trees out of the shot, but I guess that is Hollywood magic.

Here are a few more interesting tidbits from the morning shoot. At one point, the little boy playing McConaughey’s son fell while running out of the house down to the sidewalk. He wasn’t hurt, but we all had an “awwww” moment for him anyway. Then, a white vintage car, that was in the parade of cars, started smoking and wouldn’t run. The driver added water, but more steam came out. The driver eventually had to pull the car out of the lineup and park it along the street. We all felt really bad for the couple in the car. Next, a photographer with a lens longer than my arm was booted from the set. One of the assistant directors told him he couldn’t be there and he had to go. The director asked who he was with, but I couldn’t hear his answer. I’m not sure if he was paparazzi or from a news publication. And he wasn’t the only person trying to get photos. The people who actually live along Merrill Avenue were sitting on their porches and looking out their windows trying to take pictures of it all, but they were being seen on camera, so the assistant director asked them to go back inside because they were in the shot. (I’m sure they fired off a few pictures before having to go back inside, though.)

We finished the scene by noon and were told to go back to holding, return our wardrobe and head home. Despite being told that I would probably be working 12 hours, it seemed as if my day was over. Not quite!

Coming up - Part Two: My big line to Matthew McConaughey and working with Ian McShane

(Thanks to my fellow extras who contributed photos for this post. Don't worry. I won't tell anyone you took cameras to the set!)

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Actor Matthew Fox in WV for “We Are Marshall”

by Jennifer Squires Biller

Somebody pinch me. It’s like Christmas in April here. Actor Matthew Fox hit Huntington, W.Va., this week to film his role in the upcoming Warner Bros. movie We Are Marshall.

Yes, I’m a little giddy, despite being a “serious” professional reporter with years of experience. Cut me some slack; it’s Jack from Lost and Charlie Salinger from Party of Five, one of my favorite former shows. So, sue me if I’m a little smitten. I’m not made of steel you know.

Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox — or “Moxy” as I like to call them — have the town aflutter. People are lining the streets to watch filming, and I’ve never seen so many locals who just happen to be hauling around cameras and Sharpies on their way to Starbucks or the library. Hey, I’m not mocking, folks. I’m right there with ya.

Locals are eager to share their “sighting” stories, too: McConaughey was spotted at Subway earlier this week. (He ordered tuna on wheat, supposedly.) Actor David Strathairn attended a Marshall University student play production. And Fox said at Friday’s press conference that he was eager to take in the sights of Huntington and take some pictures of his own, before departing on Sunday.

The celebrities have been friendly and willing to take photos and give autographs, some locals say. I’m not sure if the actors are used to this kind of hysteria, but in a town of 50,000 where star sightings are rare, it’s inevitable. On behalf of all the star-struck fans, I’d like to thank the celebrities for taking time to be kind. There is nothing worse than meeting one of your favorite actors and then he or she turns out to be a Nellie Oleson.

As for Fox, well, I couldn’t be happier he snagged a role in the film. He’s been an underrated actor for years, in my opinion, and I think this part will finally give him his due. Fox stars as Red Dawson, a Marshall University assistant football coach, who was not on the plane that crashed on Nov. 14, 1970, killing all 75 football team members, supporters and coaches on board. Dawson had been recruiting players and had driven home from the game in North Carolina, rather than catching the flight with his team.

Fox dyed his hair red for the role and was still sporting the ‘do at Friday’s press conference. The real-life Dawson recently flew to Hawaii, where Fox is shooting Lost, to spend time with the actor. The two have formed a close bond, Fox said.

Fox is scheduled to leave town on Sunday. If you don’t hear from me, I may have stowed away in his plane, so I can make my way onto that Lost island to do some covert recon. Kidding, people.

Stay tuned for more fun stories from the filming of We Are Marshall.

Tube Talk Girl can be reached by e-mail at jennifer@tube-talk.com.

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“We Are Marshall” Press Conference

by Jennifer Squires Biller

Not often in West Virginia do Hollywood actors make an appearance. That all changed on April 1, 2006, when Warner Bros. Pictures rolled into Huntington to kick off production of its new movie We Are Marshall.

The film stars Matthew McConaughey, aka The Sexiest Man Alive of 2005, Matthew Fox (Lost), and David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck) to name a few.

The film is based on the true and tragic story of the Marshall University football team of 1970. Returning from a game in North Carolina on a foggy night, 75 members of the team, its supporters and the coaching staff were killed when their plane crashed, not far from Huntington. Instead of canceling the football program at the university, as many argued should be done, the school rebuilt under coach Jack Lengyel. The effort helped restore the spirit of a broken community and campus. The Marshall University football team went on to hold the highest winning percentage of any major college football program in the 1990s, winning the NCAA Division I-AA Southern Conference championships in 1992 and 1996.

“Very seldom do you read stories like this that are based on truth," McConaughey said. "I read this one. I got to the end of the story. I shut it, and I walked around and thought about it. I was inspired by the story. It stayed on my mind. I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Something that has helped me a lot is the credence, 'Just keep living.' For me, that’s what happens in this story. Through the game of football —people, a team, a community— comes together and gets back on the field — the proverbial field — and moves on with memory and hope."

What does this have to do with Tube Talk you ask? Well, your very own Tube Talk Girl is a native West Virginian and attended the press conference with McConaughey, Strathairn, director McG (Charlies’s Angels and The O.C.) and producer Basil Iwanyk. And one of my all-time favorite TV stars is in town, yes, Matthew Fox or “Foxy,” as he’s known in the cyber world, is involved with this project. So, I’ll be giving you plenty of updates. The movie is filming here during the month of April, before heading to Atlanta.

During the next few weeks, I’ll be posting stories from the press conference interviews and local encounters with the celebrities, all to shamelessly promote this film. Yes, I said shamelessly promote. I want you see the movie, not because it’s about a college in West Virginia, but because it’s one of the greatest stories of tragedy and triumph in human history.

It’s a story that deserves to be known outside of our borders.

So, stay tuned to Tube Talk for all the buzz on We Are Marshall. Then, when the film hits theaters, you’ll be ready to see it for yourself.

Tube talk girl can be reached by e-mail at jennifer@tube-talk.com.

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