Title: Leatherheads, feature film
Cast: George Clooney, Renee Zellweger
Extra: Megan Culbreth
Producers: Grant Heslov, George Clooney, Casey Silver
Director: George Clooney
Script: George Clooney, Stephen Schiff, Duncan Brantley, Rick Reilly
About Megan
Role: Bulldog Cheerleader
Location: Ware Shoals, Traveler's Rest, and Charlotte, N.C.
Hometown: The small town of Inman
Student: I am a full time student at the University of South Carolina Upstate, where my major is Early Childhood Education.
Family: my Papa and Nonnie and brother, Tanner.
Pets: 3 dogs, shih ztsus. 1 cat, Ryleigh.
Megan’s price to appear in movie: 14 inches of hair
Family: My parents taught me as a child that I could do anything in life if I set my mind to it. I remember as a child my mother always told me "Reach for the moon and even if you don't succeed, you'll still land somewhere among the stars."
Having that in mind, I went to the casting call for this movie, never dreaming that I would have the chance to be in it! I also have to mention my little brother, Tanner, who helped me get through cutting 14 and a half inches off of my hair, by laughing at me every chance he had! Harley, Laci and their son;-) Winston. As you can see I'm a big animal lover. I also need to mention my large family that supported me during casting, filming, and now the grand finale, the premiere. These include my Papa and Nonnie, The Ballews, The Drakes, The Dillards, The Spiveys, and The Claytons.
Pets: 3 dogs, shih ztzus. One cat, Ryleigh.
Were there any use of props that intrigued you?
I have to say our Mega-Phones!!! We had so much fun with them!! haha.
Describe when you decided to appear at the casting call and your reactionto being selected. Did you dress up for a particular part?
I remember being at my little brother's basketball game and receiving a call that there was a casting call in Greenville at 2 o’clock that day. After hanging up I realized that I only had an hour to get to Greenville from Inman, which is a thirty-minute drive. I raced to my house changed my clothes, and grabbed my acting headshots. On my way I realized that I needed to stop by Wal-Mart because my headshots were 8x10 and I wanted to have them printed off to a 4x6. By this time I was in a major rush because I had only 30 minutes left to get there! While at Wal-Mart I was informed that I had to have copyright permission in order for them to make prints of my headshots! So, I left Wal-Mart with my 8x10 picture in hand. I made it there on time, filled out my application, and stapled my 8x10 picture on the front of my application. I remember joking to friends that I would stand out with my big 8x10 photograph! I never dreamed that I would receive a call informing me that I had made it! I missed the first couple of calls and received a voicemail later that day! I remember thinking it was a joke that one of my friends was playing on me! I have never been so excited in my whole life because I knew that this experience would be one of the best of my entire life.
Who was your first call to and what was the conversation when you learned you were going to be in a George Clooney produced movie with the No. 1 male box office star?
The first person I called was my Mom. I called her out of breath, screaming that I had been chosen as a cheerleader for George Clooney's team. She did not believe me and told me that someone was playing a joke on me. So, I called my daddy and told him, he laughed thinking that I was playing a joke on him. I then called my Mom back and gave her the number that the casting department left on my voicemail. She called and heard "Leatherhead's Extras Casting" and immediately hung the phone up! She then called me back, yelling that I really had made it!
Within the next hour every member of my family, all my friends, and anyone else who would listen was informed that I was cast in this movie. During the casting call, one of the questions was "Would you be willing to cut your hair?" I figured this was a great opportunity to receive a great Hollywood cut so I checked yes! The same day I learned that I landed a spot, I received a call that I needed to come and have my hair cut into a "Cute little bob".
In my whole twenty years of living, my hair has always been down my back, and I had never had more than an inch cut off at one time. This was the biggest sacrifice that I had to make for the movie. My hair, as is it with every girl, was my best asset. So the day that I received the call was very bittersweet for me. At the end of the day, it was worth it because I had received a chance to spend time with George Clooney!
What was your first experience like on the movie set? Was it what you expected?
NO!!!! The first day was not what I expected at all! I had to get up at 3 in the morning, after spending all night with my hair in curlers (which is very hard when trying to sleep :-). I was unsure where to go in Ware Shoals and being a daddy's girl, my father insisted that I follow him, so that I wouldn't get lost.
Whenever I arrived the first person I met was Kristen, which was great because she was a Bulldog cheerleader and was going to be my co-star for the next two months :-).
Upon arrival we waited in a very long line to "clock in" for our first day of filming. We waited in holding half the day, by ourselves because it was pouring rain outside and they didn't want us to get our uniforms dirty. Shortly after 11, we were called to set and were immediately rushed off because the rain was messing our hair up. We went back to hair and make-up three more times that day to have touch ups done because the rain was so bad.
After lunch we sat in a tour bus and watched the Ellen Degeneres show, while we waited on the rain to stop. Our first closeup never came that day due to the non-stop rain. However, that first day created a tight knit bond between us Bulldog cheerleaders because we had a lot of downtime to talk and get to know one another.
A very funny story from the first day on set was when Kristen and I were walking back to wardrobe and one of the bystanders stated as we walked by "Oh they must play George Clooney's daughters in the movie because they are cheerleaders…you know like in “Radio”. The coach's daughter was a cheerleader. What great genes I would have if he really was my father! haha
What was the role(s) you were cast and describe what you did? Include how wardrobe dressed you.
I was cast as a Bulldog Cheerleader. I personally think that I had the best role of any because my two loves in life: acting and cheerleading, were combined into one role. We had the job of standing on the sidelines, cheering GEORGE CLOONEY, JOHN KRASINSKI, and the other talented actors who were Bulldog football players on during the games.
In one of the celebration scenes, we ran onto the field and were celebrating with the football players. We were all hugging each other and celebrating our victory. As this was taking place I looked up and George was standing right in front of me, we hugged each other and kept on celebrating. As the scene ended I walked to the sidelines and realized that I HAD JUST HUGGED GEORGE CLOONEY!!! Of course that is and will always be the best day I have ever had on a job.
Our wardrobe consisted of a khaki colored ankle length skirt, white button up blouse, a long wool sweater that was royal blue with a bulldog sewn on the pocket, white-heeled shoes, and panty hose that were the same style as they wore in the 20's (no elastic!!). If it was hot outside we were hot in our wardrobe, if it was cold outside, we were cold in our wardrobe. This was definitely not a win, win situation! The only piece that was heavy from our costume was the sweater, but we always left that piece off until it was time to film.
OK, be honest, did you do anything to maneuver yourself closer to the camera or into a scene?
Of course!!! Who wouldn't :-). We were always looking for opportunities to get extra film time. We always had fun with it though! One time in particular came after a scene had ended in Charlotte. Stephen and I were standing behind John Krasinski and overheard that they were filming for "The behind the scenes look at the making of ‘Leatherheads’", so we inched closer and closer to the camera so we could be "Behind, Behind the scenes of the making of ‘Leatherheads’". This gave us a good laugh that day.
How close did you get to George Clooney? Renee Zellweger or other actors?
I was very close to George Clooney, John Krasinski, and all of the principal actors every time we were on set. Most of the time we shared the same sideline bench with many of the actors. They were all very down to earth and did not act superior to anyone.
One day on set, after a long day of rolling around in the mud, Clooney along with all of the Bulldog football players walked over to where we were standing and received a "shower" in front of us by a huge water hose. How many girls can say that they have watched George Clooney "shower off"...he may be getting older in years, but it sure hasn't affected him physically :-) haha.
On another day, Krasinski was sitting with all of us impersonating my favorite actor, Will Ferrell! I also received very inspirational advice from actor Tommy Hinkley about pursuing a career in acting. His advice has motivated me to continue my dream of becoming an actress. I was very fortunate to receive the chance to get to know each of them.
Do not let the stereotype of a successful Hollywood actor fool you with any of these guys, because they went above and beyond to make us feel at home on set. This was especially true for Nick, "Bug". He was always pulling pranks on everyone. He always lightened the mood on set, especially during the longer days.
Outside from your participation: What is the best memory you take away from your experience?
I can't choose just one memory as the best, because each day on set was filled with great memories. I walk away from this experience with very close friends that I hope to have for a lifetime. It is very surprising how close you get to people during the filming of a movie.
The last day on set, felt almost like the last day of high school for me. I became so used to seeing everyone and it was hard for me to tell everyone goodbye because I knew that I would probably never see them again. Especially the friends that I made that live in California. So, I would probably say that the best memory that I take away from this would be all of the people that I met during this experience.
What is your message to your acting “friends”?
I want all of my extras friends to know that I enjoyed working with them. Everyone was so nice and made this experience even more worthwhile for me. I was told that if you wanted to be a very successful actor you would need to make every role better than the last. I know that everyone that I may work with in the future will have very big shoes to fill, because all the extras I worked with on this movie were great!
George Clooney is noted for making movies with people he has worked with before. Would you work with Clooney again if his company called you?
OF COURSE!!!!
What would your response be?
YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!! I can be there in 5 minutes haha.
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